Sheila Birling
Role in the Play
Sheila is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Birling, the sister of Eric Birling
and the fiancé of Gerald Croft. Sheila's character starts as the
personification of a typical Georgian, middle-class women: self-
serving and privileged. Perhaps her self-obsession is
overdramatised (compared to real Georgian women), but Priestly
wants the audience to understand Sheila as an individualist. Sheila
is the beneficiary of her father's (Mr Birling) wealth, and soon to be
the beneficiary of Gerald Croft's wealth, as his fiancé. This is why
she initially treats Eva with a lack of compassion.
Sheila begins the play as a self-absorbed and childish lady, which is perhaps why she is able to dismiss
Eva Smith so quickly and even go so far as to undermine her job because of her own insecurities
regarding her appearance compared to Eva's. Despite this, Sheila is one of the only characters that
seemingly evolves overnight: she matures once she realises the consequences of her selfish actions.
Sheila is one of the devices Priestley uses to highlight the stark difference between the younger
progressive generation and the older conservative generation. It highlights to the audience the
dangers of the privileged in society remaining self-oriented and egocentric.
Character Development
Whilst Sheila is largely the product of her own privileged environment, Priestley uses Sheila's
progression to show how the upper class can show compassion and take responsibility for their self-
serving actions. After Sheila learns that she was responsible for Eva Smith's dismissal from Milwards
shop, she finally dismantles her typical 'Georgian woman' facade and shows some strength in
character when she breaks off her engagement to Gerald. This is perhaps Priestley's way of
exemplifying the liberation of women, and how they will not tolerate being berated or subordinated by
their spouse, simply because they are a woman. Her acknowledgement of the role she played in Eva's
death is a breath of fresh air for the contemporary audience, as she finally does what the upper class
seem to be incapable of doing: take responsibility.
Key quotes
'Oh-how horrible! Was it an accident?'- Sheila is referring to the news of the death of a young
woman, still unknown at this point. This reflects her immaturity and naivety in believing that someone is
capable of drinking a deadly amount of disinfectant by accident. She cannot comprehend that there
are people who are so underprivileged that they have nothing to live for.
'I had her turned out of a job'- Sheila's naivety begins to fade as she is forced to face the facts that
she played an active role in Eva's death. Though the phrasing is a euphemism, given that she did not
only have her 'turned out of a job', but she also contributed to her death, it is still a relief for the
audience that Sheila is capable of recognising her own mistakes.
, Sheila Birling
Key quotes
'We'd have to start all over again'- This is Sheila's reaction to the
news of Gerald's affair with Eva Smith. Though she has not shown
ultimate restraint and courage in breaking things off immediately
with Gerald, it is certainly significant that a Georgian woman is not
getting 'used to that' as her mother suggested, but is instead taking
a step back from her relationship
'It's you two who are being childish- trying not to face the facts'-
This is the most assertive and decisive Sheila is throughout the play.
It is clear as day to her the mistake herself and her family made and
Priestley is using her as the voice of reason to explain to her parents
that they cannot evade responsibility forever.
Contextual link
In the early 20th century, marrying well was of vital importance to ensure a secure and happy future.
It was unthinkable to marry outside the class you were born into. This perhaps explains why the
audience observes a friendly dynamic between Gerald and Mr Birling from the very beginning of the
play. Though Sheila and Gerald are a 'love match' (united based on love rather than solely class), Mr
Birling is still pleased to see that Gerald comes from a middle class family and has the means to
support Sheila once she is married.
In the early 20th century, the system was such that it was very difficult for a woman to get a divorce
from an unhappy marriage because if she did, she would probably lose not only her money but in all
likelihood, her children as well. With divorce so unusual, particularly among the upper classes, a blind
eye was often turned towards adultery. However, Sheila shows strength of character by giving her ring
back to Gerald once she learns of his extramarital affairs, separating her from the submissive women
of her time.
Role in the Play
Sheila is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Birling, the sister of Eric Birling
and the fiancé of Gerald Croft. Sheila's character starts as the
personification of a typical Georgian, middle-class women: self-
serving and privileged. Perhaps her self-obsession is
overdramatised (compared to real Georgian women), but Priestly
wants the audience to understand Sheila as an individualist. Sheila
is the beneficiary of her father's (Mr Birling) wealth, and soon to be
the beneficiary of Gerald Croft's wealth, as his fiancé. This is why
she initially treats Eva with a lack of compassion.
Sheila begins the play as a self-absorbed and childish lady, which is perhaps why she is able to dismiss
Eva Smith so quickly and even go so far as to undermine her job because of her own insecurities
regarding her appearance compared to Eva's. Despite this, Sheila is one of the only characters that
seemingly evolves overnight: she matures once she realises the consequences of her selfish actions.
Sheila is one of the devices Priestley uses to highlight the stark difference between the younger
progressive generation and the older conservative generation. It highlights to the audience the
dangers of the privileged in society remaining self-oriented and egocentric.
Character Development
Whilst Sheila is largely the product of her own privileged environment, Priestley uses Sheila's
progression to show how the upper class can show compassion and take responsibility for their self-
serving actions. After Sheila learns that she was responsible for Eva Smith's dismissal from Milwards
shop, she finally dismantles her typical 'Georgian woman' facade and shows some strength in
character when she breaks off her engagement to Gerald. This is perhaps Priestley's way of
exemplifying the liberation of women, and how they will not tolerate being berated or subordinated by
their spouse, simply because they are a woman. Her acknowledgement of the role she played in Eva's
death is a breath of fresh air for the contemporary audience, as she finally does what the upper class
seem to be incapable of doing: take responsibility.
Key quotes
'Oh-how horrible! Was it an accident?'- Sheila is referring to the news of the death of a young
woman, still unknown at this point. This reflects her immaturity and naivety in believing that someone is
capable of drinking a deadly amount of disinfectant by accident. She cannot comprehend that there
are people who are so underprivileged that they have nothing to live for.
'I had her turned out of a job'- Sheila's naivety begins to fade as she is forced to face the facts that
she played an active role in Eva's death. Though the phrasing is a euphemism, given that she did not
only have her 'turned out of a job', but she also contributed to her death, it is still a relief for the
audience that Sheila is capable of recognising her own mistakes.
, Sheila Birling
Key quotes
'We'd have to start all over again'- This is Sheila's reaction to the
news of Gerald's affair with Eva Smith. Though she has not shown
ultimate restraint and courage in breaking things off immediately
with Gerald, it is certainly significant that a Georgian woman is not
getting 'used to that' as her mother suggested, but is instead taking
a step back from her relationship
'It's you two who are being childish- trying not to face the facts'-
This is the most assertive and decisive Sheila is throughout the play.
It is clear as day to her the mistake herself and her family made and
Priestley is using her as the voice of reason to explain to her parents
that they cannot evade responsibility forever.
Contextual link
In the early 20th century, marrying well was of vital importance to ensure a secure and happy future.
It was unthinkable to marry outside the class you were born into. This perhaps explains why the
audience observes a friendly dynamic between Gerald and Mr Birling from the very beginning of the
play. Though Sheila and Gerald are a 'love match' (united based on love rather than solely class), Mr
Birling is still pleased to see that Gerald comes from a middle class family and has the means to
support Sheila once she is married.
In the early 20th century, the system was such that it was very difficult for a woman to get a divorce
from an unhappy marriage because if she did, she would probably lose not only her money but in all
likelihood, her children as well. With divorce so unusual, particularly among the upper classes, a blind
eye was often turned towards adultery. However, Sheila shows strength of character by giving her ring
back to Gerald once she learns of his extramarital affairs, separating her from the submissive women
of her time.
