An Inspector Calls - Characters
Sheila Birling - Sacked Eva from Milwards, she thought Eva was laughing at her
- Oldest child of Mr and Mrs Birling.
- Early twenties, everything so far in life has worked exactly perfect for her and
now she is engaged, nothing could be better. She’s rather excited
- “Oh-it’s wonderful! Look Mummy -isn’t it a beauty” - about her new ring
- We find out that Sheila does however have some suspicions about Gerald’s
fidelity….(an early on clue from Priestley that it is likely everyone will have
something to do with Eva Smith) “except for all last summer, when you never
came near me”
- Stage directions tell us that Sheila does mean what she says to Gerald “(half
serious, half playful)” . This tells us that Sheila is outgoing and is not prepared
to fit in to the stereotypical wife role of this era. Instead, she is prepared to
voice her opinions.
- This theme is developed as we soon notice the obvious generation gap
between Sheila and her parents. When Mrs Birling makes a suggestion
(based on her own experiences) about having to get used to not seeing her
busy working husband very much, Sheila exclaims “I don’t believe I will”.
Sheila’s manner very much shows us that she likes things to be her way
- This might imply to the audience that when it comes to the inspector
questioning her, she will not be able to handle interrogation. Ironically, Sheila
learns the most from what the inspector has to say.
- “I’m not a child don’t forget. I have a right to know.”
- Sheila is quick to understand the power that the inspector holds over the
Birling family, while the others (apart from Eric) continue to refuse accepting
their crimes. “I’d hate to think how much he knows that we don’t know yet”
- Sheila acknowledges her parent’s protective attitude and realises that it is
necessary for them to change.
- Priestley makes it clear to the audience that the inspector has influenced
Sheila’s character. Goole says: “We often do on the young ones. They are
more impressionable”
- Sheila’s younger, modernized views are most apparent by the end of the play
when she is clearly appalled by her parents
- By the end of Act 1 really, and onwards, Sheila has recognized that she bears
some responsibility for the lives of others.
, Eric Birling - Had an affair with, and got Eva Smith pregnant. Stole money from
’Birling and co’.
- Described as “not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive”
- Priestley shoes Eric’s uneasy manner through some of his speaking lines. “I
just felt I had to laugh” , Sheila also describes him as “squiffy”.
- The audience become aware that Eric may be guarding a secret when Eric is
talking about women’s funny habits at the start with Gerald and Mr Birling. He
soon tails off and looks rather embarrassed.
- Eric’s character is compassionate, his reaction to the inspector’s description
of Eva is a state of great shock. He is then quick to condemn the behaviour of
his father and sister.
- Like Sheila, Eric does not appear to be intimidated by his parents. He adds:
“I’d have let her stay on” at what is a critical time for Mr Birling.
- Eric’s behaviour is despicable. He very much takes advantage of Eva and her
circumstances. It also doesn’t help that Eric is a drinker… “in that state when
a chap easily turns nasty”
- However, at least Eric does try to make some provision for Eva and their baby
- unfortunately though, it is through stealing money.
- Poor relationship with his father Mr Birling, who is very critical of him and is
often irritated by his attitude.
- Eric does not feel comforted or supported by his father - “Because you’re not
the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble”
- Eric responds violently when he hears his mother denied Eva help, he is
distraught to hear that it is partly his mother’s fault that his own child is dead.
- Despite Eric’s immaturity as well as his drink problem, he, much like Sheila,
learns the lessons taught by the inspector.
- Eric has changed by the end of the play, he understands the necessity to
accept responsibility and is prepared to change.
Sheila Birling - Sacked Eva from Milwards, she thought Eva was laughing at her
- Oldest child of Mr and Mrs Birling.
- Early twenties, everything so far in life has worked exactly perfect for her and
now she is engaged, nothing could be better. She’s rather excited
- “Oh-it’s wonderful! Look Mummy -isn’t it a beauty” - about her new ring
- We find out that Sheila does however have some suspicions about Gerald’s
fidelity….(an early on clue from Priestley that it is likely everyone will have
something to do with Eva Smith) “except for all last summer, when you never
came near me”
- Stage directions tell us that Sheila does mean what she says to Gerald “(half
serious, half playful)” . This tells us that Sheila is outgoing and is not prepared
to fit in to the stereotypical wife role of this era. Instead, she is prepared to
voice her opinions.
- This theme is developed as we soon notice the obvious generation gap
between Sheila and her parents. When Mrs Birling makes a suggestion
(based on her own experiences) about having to get used to not seeing her
busy working husband very much, Sheila exclaims “I don’t believe I will”.
Sheila’s manner very much shows us that she likes things to be her way
- This might imply to the audience that when it comes to the inspector
questioning her, she will not be able to handle interrogation. Ironically, Sheila
learns the most from what the inspector has to say.
- “I’m not a child don’t forget. I have a right to know.”
- Sheila is quick to understand the power that the inspector holds over the
Birling family, while the others (apart from Eric) continue to refuse accepting
their crimes. “I’d hate to think how much he knows that we don’t know yet”
- Sheila acknowledges her parent’s protective attitude and realises that it is
necessary for them to change.
- Priestley makes it clear to the audience that the inspector has influenced
Sheila’s character. Goole says: “We often do on the young ones. They are
more impressionable”
- Sheila’s younger, modernized views are most apparent by the end of the play
when she is clearly appalled by her parents
- By the end of Act 1 really, and onwards, Sheila has recognized that she bears
some responsibility for the lives of others.
, Eric Birling - Had an affair with, and got Eva Smith pregnant. Stole money from
’Birling and co’.
- Described as “not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive”
- Priestley shoes Eric’s uneasy manner through some of his speaking lines. “I
just felt I had to laugh” , Sheila also describes him as “squiffy”.
- The audience become aware that Eric may be guarding a secret when Eric is
talking about women’s funny habits at the start with Gerald and Mr Birling. He
soon tails off and looks rather embarrassed.
- Eric’s character is compassionate, his reaction to the inspector’s description
of Eva is a state of great shock. He is then quick to condemn the behaviour of
his father and sister.
- Like Sheila, Eric does not appear to be intimidated by his parents. He adds:
“I’d have let her stay on” at what is a critical time for Mr Birling.
- Eric’s behaviour is despicable. He very much takes advantage of Eva and her
circumstances. It also doesn’t help that Eric is a drinker… “in that state when
a chap easily turns nasty”
- However, at least Eric does try to make some provision for Eva and their baby
- unfortunately though, it is through stealing money.
- Poor relationship with his father Mr Birling, who is very critical of him and is
often irritated by his attitude.
- Eric does not feel comforted or supported by his father - “Because you’re not
the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble”
- Eric responds violently when he hears his mother denied Eva help, he is
distraught to hear that it is partly his mother’s fault that his own child is dead.
- Despite Eric’s immaturity as well as his drink problem, he, much like Sheila,
learns the lessons taught by the inspector.
- Eric has changed by the end of the play, he understands the necessity to
accept responsibility and is prepared to change.
