Sheila Birling

Context:

• Women were seen as delicate beings and their fathers then their husband’s possession
• No legal rights over money, children or land
• Upper/ middle class women like Sheila usually spent their time doing charity work

Before the Inspector arrives:

• Relaxed- just got engaged to Gerald
  • Does not feel engaged until Gerald presents her with a ring
    • suggests that Sheila needs an expensive ring to demonstrate her commitmentto Gerald and his commitment to her
    • suggests she is superficial, materialistic and concerned only with her appearance
• Social life:
  • Shopping at Milwards department store
    • does not conform to the stereotypical idea of a middle-class member of society
  • Jealous of people who look better than her
    • insecure about her appearance

Whilst the Inspector is present:

·       Shows remorse about what she did to Eva Smith, shown when she looked ‘as if she’s been crying’and wished that she"could help her now"

·       Truthful:

o   "All right, Gerald, you needn't look at me like that. At least, I'm trying to tell the truth."

·       Keen to set an example to the older generation when she told her mother that she "mustn't try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl."