Sheila Birling is a character in J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls." She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Birling and the sister of Eric Birling. Sheila is portrayed as a young, naive, and somewhat superficial girl who is eager to please her parents and conform to societal expectations.
At the beginning of the play, Sheila is engaged to Gerald Croft, the son of a wealthy industrialist. She is excited about the prospect of getting married and moving up in social status, but her happiness is short-lived when the Inspector arrives to investigate the death of a young woman named Eva Smith.
As the Inspector interrogates the family, Sheila becomes increasingly uneasy and distressed. She is the first to admit to her involvement in Eva's death, confessing that she had her fired from her job at the mill because she was jealous of her relationship with Gerald. Sheila is deeply remorseful for her actions and feels a sense of guilt and responsibility for Eva's death.
Throughout the play, Sheila's character undergoes a significant transformation. She becomes more compassionate and empathetic, and begins to question the values and beliefs of her parents and society. She stands up to her father when he tries to dismiss the Inspector and protect his own reputation, and she becomes the voice of conscience within the family.
In contrast to her superficial and selfish behavior at the beginning of the play, Sheila becomes a more mature and responsible young woman by the end. She recognizes the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and the need to treat others with kindness and respect.
In conclusion, Sheila Birling is a complex and dynamic character in "An Inspector Calls." Through her experiences and interactions with the Inspector, she learns valuable lessons about the consequences of her actions and the importance of compassion and responsibility.
Sheila Birling
Sheila: Gerald might as well know. Well, here's to us. He caught me out by suddenly announcing that this girl changed her name to Daisy Renton, I gave myself away at once because I'd known a Daisy Renton. And it frightens me the way you talk, and I can't listen to any more of it. Nor that young man, Croft, though he at least had some affection for her and made her happy for a time. Analysing the evidence quote I don't dislike you as I did half an hour ago, Gerald. We ought to have seen through it from the first.
An Inspector Calls: Sheila Birling
Eric: I'll bet I am. Gerald: And did you father see the one he showed you? Here, Sheila means that Eva can take care of herself because her beauty would allow her to find a rich husband that could take care of her. Insightful At a number of points, Sheila shows that she can see things that the other characters cannot. Evidence Analysis Naïve At the opening of the play she appears to be a little immature and easily led. It makes it all harder to bear. Did you notice that? You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can't. Birling: Well, go to bed then, and don't stand there being hysterical.
Analysis Of How Priestley Presents Sheila In An Inspector Calls: Free Essay Example, 1133 words
Birling: Yes, that part's straightforward enough. Mrs Birling: sharply To behave sensibly, Sheila — which is more than you're doing. At the mention of Eva's alias "Daisy Renton", Gerald is noticeably startled, and admits to having met a woman by that name in the Palace Bar a notorious haunt of local prostitutes. Sheila: Only a few minutes ago. A girl has just died in the Infirmary. Now- hesitates no, it wouldn't. Come, come, you can see that, can't you? Birling: Look — for God's sake! If you want to know, it's you two who are being childish — trying not to face the facts.
An Inspector Calls
You told us that a man has to make his own way, look after himself and mind his own business, and that we weren't to take any notice of these cranks who tell us that everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together. She has become more assertive, using phrases such as 'I tell you'. Inspector: And you made love again? Well, Eva Smith's gone. Mrs Birling: What are you going to do? Told her my name and what I did. Sheila: Well, I must admit you came out of it better than the rest of us. Eventually, Sheila begins to realize the difference between right and wrong. An Inspector Calls: A Play in Three Acts Firsted.
