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- Act one - 'Very pleased in life and Rather Excited' - shows that Sheila is naive and immature
- Act one - 'Is it the one you wanted me to have?' - She values Gerald's opinion and shows that Gerald is in control of the relationship and Sheila's mindset. Priestley's views on equality between women and men
- Act One - 'I've been so happy tonight' - shows that Sheila is self centered and selfish. She views Eva's suicide as an inconvenience to her and that she has ruined her happy evening. Shows that Sheila is so immature that she cannot show empathy towards anyone.
- Act One - 'I think it was a mean thing to do' - shows that Sheila is beginning to become aware that actions bring consequences. The first time in the play that the audience can observe Sheila going against her father's views and opinions.
- Act One - 'But these girls aren't cheap labour, they're people' - shows that Sheila is now beginning to act as a medium for portraying Priestley's socialist views. Again shows that Sheila isn't afraid of disagreeing with her father.
- Act One - 'It' the only time I've ever done anything like that, and I'll never, never do it again to anybody' - shows that Sheila has accepted responsibility and has learnt from her mistakes. The pronoun 'anybody' shows that Sheila is breaking down social barriers and is recognising that people of lower class deserve the same amount of respect that she does.
- Act One - 'Why-you fool- he knows. Of course he knows.' - Sheila is becoming more confident in herself and is defiant against Gerald when he tries to tell her what to do, yet again.
- Act One- '(she looks at him almost in triumph. He looks crushed)' - Shows that Sheila is now able to manipulate Gerald and take a 'one up' against him.
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- Sheila's role throughout AIC is to show the positive changes that can result from developing socialist views and becoming less self-centred
- Sheila seems to have been used to express Priestley's hope for younger generations through her elaborate character development
- Sheila is a protagonist in AIC
- Sheila is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Birling and is the Fiance of Gerald Croft
- Sheila shows that women can be supportive of their husbands but still be assertive and self sufficient
- Sheila represents the belief that young people are open to change
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- In the beginning of Act one, Sheila is presented to the audience as a naive and immature child. Her mannerisms and language replicates that of a young child which is ironic seeming as Sheila is 'in her early twenties'. These characteristics are demonstrated through the use of the pronouns 'Mummy' and 'Daddy' as well as the adjective 'excited'.
- In the beginning of Act one, it is also clear that Sheila is reliant on Gerald to make decisions for her and feels expected to agree with whatever Gerald or her father say. This emphasises that Sheila tends to act as a submissive girl who cannot form her own opinions on matters. Context : women were expected to support their husbands, but never necessarily by offering their own opinions or views.
- Upon Sheila realising that her father is partly responsible for Sheila's death, Sheila begins to deviate from her father and fiance's opinions. Contrasting with Mr Birling's capitalist view that 'a man has to look after himself and his own.', Sheila is demonstrating the ability to show sympathy towards Eva, something which she previously wouldn't do. This would provoke the audience to become slightly less weary of Sheila as she is now showing empathetic and kind personality traits.
- Throughout Act One, the character of Sheila Birling is used as a vehicle for Priestly to showcase his socialist views and his views that capitalism will not be successful within a growing Britain. The first instance of Sheila portraying one of Priestley's views is when Sheila expresses that 'girls aren't cheap labour - they're people'. This is demonstrating that Sheila is unafraid of disagreeing with her father and Gerald and proving that she is now beginning to form socialist views similar to those held by the Inspector and Eric. This quotation shows that Sheila is recognising that people deserve to be treating humainly and with care.
- Sheila is the only member of the Birling Family who learns from her mistakes and accepts that she was partly responsible for Eva Smith's death. The phrase ''It the only time I've ever done anything like that, and I'll never, never do it again to anybody' shows Sheila's acceptance for what she has done wrong and proves that she is prepared to learn from her mistakes. This shows that Sheila is maturing and becoming more responsive to the world around her. The pronoun 'anybody', shows that Sheila is inclusive in her views and is breaking down class barriers.
- The phrase, 'Why-you fool- he knows. Of course he knows.', shows that Sheila is developing as a girl with increasing self-confidence and believes she is now defiant against Gerald.
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- Sheila is initially pleased about the prospect of marriage to Gerald Croft
- Sheila becomes distressed when she hears about Eva Smith's tragic suicide
- Sheila acknowledges that she is partly responsible for Eva's death and she learns from it
- Sheila recognises that the inspector cannot be lied to
- Sheila knows that she is partly responsible for Eva's death and takes the inspectors words to heart
- Of all the characters in AIC, Sheila changes the most she is generally troubled with the realisation that Petty jealousy at Milwards meant such a hardship for Eva Smith
- She respects Gerald honesty about the affair but also has the courage to break off the engagement to him
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