English Literature: An Inspector Calls Character Profile - Sheila Birling

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Talk about the theme - Learning about life
Priestley makes Sheila seem young and childish at first. It makes her involvement in Eva/Daisy's downfall seem the result of immaturity. This makes it easier to forgive her.
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Talk about Priestley's technique of giving Sheila witty lines.
Priestley gives Sheila lots of witty lines to make her appear sharp. Sheila's wit lets her undermine the authority of others as she makes jokes at their expense.
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A quote that shows Sheila Birling as strong-minded
"I don't believe I will. So you be careful"
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A quote that shows Sheila Birling as sharp
"he's giving us the rope - so that we'll hang ourselves"
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A quote that shows Sheila Birling as selfish
"you used the power had (...) to punish the girl"
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A quote that shows Sheila Birling as moral
"But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people"
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How is it shown that Sheila is quick-witted and strong minded?(2)
She hands Gerald's ring back when she finds out he's been unfaithful and is wise enough to suspect that Eric might be the father of Eva/Daisy's child.
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How is it shown that Sheila was selfish in the past? (a year ago)
She abused her status as a wealthy customer at Milwards when she insisted they dismiss Eva/Daisy.
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How has Sheila changed by the end of the play?
She is seen as sensitive and moral, she has changed for good.
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How do stage directions describe Sheila at the beginning of the play?
"Very pleased with life and rather excited"
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Which slang expression does Sheila use?
"squiffy" This reminds the audience Shiela belongs to a younger generation.
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What are Sheila's actions and words when she receives the ring?
She's very excited, and looks to her mother for approval when she says "Look - Mummy - isn't it a beauty?"
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What does Sheila's childishness at the beginning of the play hide?
Her serious concerns about her relationship with Gerald. She jokes with him, but the stage directions say that she's "half serious, half playful"
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What causes a change in Sheila's childishness?
What she learns over the evening - its makes her feel she has to be herself and break away from her parents.
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What instincts does Sheila have?
Wise instincts, she sees what the Inspector is doing, and knew Gerald's absence was suspicious.
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How is it shown that Sheila isn't naive?
She knows men use prostitutes and knows about dirty old men like Alderman Meggarty.
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What does Sheila say to her father after the Inspector says she "Isn't living on the moon"
She says "I'm not a child"
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What does Sheila acknowledge and regret?
She acknowledges she used her "power" to "punish" Eva Smith, but regrets her actions and is eager to learn from the consequences.
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What does Sheila tell Gerald at the end of they play? Why does Priestley show Sheila like this?
That she respects him more for being "honest". She knows the family must stop these "silly pretences" Priestly uses Sheila to show there's hope for change in the new generation.
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How is Sheila a moral judge at the end of the play?
She says "probably between us we killed her" the others don't get as far as admitting that
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Which character changes the most?
Sheila
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What happens to Arthur, Sybil, Eric and Sheila Birling once the Inspector has left?
Arthur and Sybil want everything to return to how it was. Sheila and Eric are the only ones who see what they all have to change.
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What does Sheila do before Gerald leaves?
She hands back the engagement ring, saying that they are changed people - "You and I aren't the same people who sat down to dinner"
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Who's side does Sheila take?
The Inspectors - she helps his investigation, as they are both after the truth.
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What four techniques does Sheila adopt from the Inspector?
Asks Gerald as many questions as Goole does,reveals Eric's drinking problem to mother,contradicts&undermines her parents-like Goole.Shocks Eric by telling him mother refused to help Eva, she moves discussion on quick by startling the listeners.
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Give an example of Sheila contradicting and undermining her parents.
When she gives the ring back to Gerald and she tells her father "don't interfere"
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How and why does The Inspector attack others' confidence? Who acknowledges this, and tries to do the same?
By asking questions - to break down the "wall" which they've put between themselves and the girl.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Talk about Priestley's technique of giving Sheila witty lines.

Back

Priestley gives Sheila lots of witty lines to make her appear sharp. Sheila's wit lets her undermine the authority of others as she makes jokes at their expense.

Card 3

Front

A quote that shows Sheila Birling as strong-minded

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

A quote that shows Sheila Birling as sharp

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

A quote that shows Sheila Birling as selfish

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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