How does Priestley present Sheila as a character who learns important lessons about herself and
society?
Throughout the play as a whole Priestley presents Sheila as a character who learns important lessons
about herself and society through a battle of ideologies between the old generation (Mr and Mrs
Birling) and the younger generation (Eric and Sheila).
Priestley uses Sheila’s character to voice the lesson that money is the only thing that separates us
through parallel presentation of Sheila and Eva’s characters. In Act 1, when Sheila learns about Eva
Smith’s death, she exclaims ‘I can’t help thinking about this girl – destroying herself so horribly – and
[she was] so happy tonight’. Priestley juxtaposes Sheila as have being ‘so happy tonight’ to Eva who
was unhappy as she ‘[destroyed] herself’ showing that Sheila is only happy as she has a lavish
lifestyle whilst Eva was unhappy as she was struggling to survive. Therefore Priestley implies to the
audience that in a capitalist society, money brings comfort which emphasises the point that money
is the only thing that separates the different classes; as Priestley presents Sheila and Eva as
practically identical. Priestley also presents to the audience that in a socialist society, Eva could have
been happy therefore showing the audience that socialism is good which is the main didactic point
that Priestley conveys to the audience throughout the play.
Furthermore, through the Inspector, Sheila learns to accept responsibility for other people’s welfare.
When the Inspector finishes questioning Sheila, she vows to ‘never, never do this again to anybody’.
The repetition of the word ‘never’ shows that Sheila is extremely remorseful for her actions; the
noun ‘anybody’ shows she is inclusive of everyone including different societal classes which implies
that she has learnt that all people are equal which is a socialist view. This view on society is very
important as it directly contrasts the view of her parents which is that ‘a man has to mind his own
business and look after himself and his own family’ in order to have a successful life. This view is
adopted by Mr and Mrs Birling and shows a capitalists view on how to lead a good life. The fact that
Sheila admits to her wrongdoings rapidly after being questioned also emphasises the point that she
has learnt about the importance of everyone in society.
Throughout the play, Sheila also learns that she has lead a very privileged life. This is shown to the
audience at the very start of the play before it even started as the audience can see the set. In the
director’s notes, it talks about the ‘dining table’ and how Edna was just clearing the dessert plates
implying that there was more than one course which signifies that the Birlings were rich as they had
a room specifically for eating. Additionally, when Sheila explains to the Inspector that she got Eva
Smith fired from Milwards as she was ‘jealous of her’, Priestley shows the audience that because of
Sheila’s status the people at Milwards were prepared to fire Eva Smith just because Sheila said so
which emphasises the point that Sheila led a very privileged life.
society?
Throughout the play as a whole Priestley presents Sheila as a character who learns important lessons
about herself and society through a battle of ideologies between the old generation (Mr and Mrs
Birling) and the younger generation (Eric and Sheila).
Priestley uses Sheila’s character to voice the lesson that money is the only thing that separates us
through parallel presentation of Sheila and Eva’s characters. In Act 1, when Sheila learns about Eva
Smith’s death, she exclaims ‘I can’t help thinking about this girl – destroying herself so horribly – and
[she was] so happy tonight’. Priestley juxtaposes Sheila as have being ‘so happy tonight’ to Eva who
was unhappy as she ‘[destroyed] herself’ showing that Sheila is only happy as she has a lavish
lifestyle whilst Eva was unhappy as she was struggling to survive. Therefore Priestley implies to the
audience that in a capitalist society, money brings comfort which emphasises the point that money
is the only thing that separates the different classes; as Priestley presents Sheila and Eva as
practically identical. Priestley also presents to the audience that in a socialist society, Eva could have
been happy therefore showing the audience that socialism is good which is the main didactic point
that Priestley conveys to the audience throughout the play.
Furthermore, through the Inspector, Sheila learns to accept responsibility for other people’s welfare.
When the Inspector finishes questioning Sheila, she vows to ‘never, never do this again to anybody’.
The repetition of the word ‘never’ shows that Sheila is extremely remorseful for her actions; the
noun ‘anybody’ shows she is inclusive of everyone including different societal classes which implies
that she has learnt that all people are equal which is a socialist view. This view on society is very
important as it directly contrasts the view of her parents which is that ‘a man has to mind his own
business and look after himself and his own family’ in order to have a successful life. This view is
adopted by Mr and Mrs Birling and shows a capitalists view on how to lead a good life. The fact that
Sheila admits to her wrongdoings rapidly after being questioned also emphasises the point that she
has learnt about the importance of everyone in society.
Throughout the play, Sheila also learns that she has lead a very privileged life. This is shown to the
audience at the very start of the play before it even started as the audience can see the set. In the
director’s notes, it talks about the ‘dining table’ and how Edna was just clearing the dessert plates
implying that there was more than one course which signifies that the Birlings were rich as they had
a room specifically for eating. Additionally, when Sheila explains to the Inspector that she got Eva
Smith fired from Milwards as she was ‘jealous of her’, Priestley shows the audience that because of
Sheila’s status the people at Milwards were prepared to fire Eva Smith just because Sheila said so
which emphasises the point that Sheila led a very privileged life.
