Sheila Birling

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'but that doesn't make any difference y'know'

Sheila Birling

Context

She is a socialist!

Matures during the play!

She represents young people can change and make a change.

She sees her fiancé and parents feel no remorse

She encourages her family to admit what they did wrong.

She resented Eva as she felt she was more attractive!

At the beginning she is presented as snobbish and vain but changes the most

Edwardian middle/upper-class families treated their sons and daughters as children and married them into money

She is sister to Eric and her parents are Mr and Mrs Birling

She is engaged to Gerald

Acknowledges her part

Breaks the engagement with Gerald.

Act 3

"but that doesn't make any difference y'know"

She is now showing difference between herself and Eric in comparison to the rest of the family. She

"But that won't bring Eva Smith back to life, will it?"

This rhetorical question she is saying to her family, shows her upset and her remorse for Eva.

"You're ready to go on the same old way"

Sheila is now tell her family that they need to do something about this and not let history repeat itself.

Unlike anyone else Sheila feels remorsful and wants to make a change, this is significant as Priestly presents Sheila as the future.

"I suppose we're all nice people now"

Unlike Sheila's family she has guilt and wants to make a change unlike anybody else, she regrets what she has done.

This contrasts to Act 1 when Sheila is shown as childlike; SHeila throughout the play develops and grows up.

Act 2

"we must stop these silly pretences"

Is now contrasting to Sheila in Act 1 as in act 1 she called Mrs B 'mummy' and didn't argue back but this is now changing.

'probably between us we killed her'

The use of 'us' is her saying that they are all to blame.

Contrasts from Act 1 she's admitting she's at fault.

"This isn't the time to pretend he isn't used to drink"

Sheila plays a key role in revealing Eric's drinking problem. This is key as Mr and Mrs B were aware of it but didn't want to ruin their reputation.

'He's giving us the rope - so that we'll hang ourselves'

The Metaphor shows unlike everyone else Sheila has realised that the inspector is aware of what has happened and they just need to admit their actions.

'I'm not a child'

This contrasts to Act 1 when she is presented as a child, this is shown when she refers to Mrs B as 'mummy'. This is presenting her progression and her maturity.

'you and I aren't the same people that sat down to dinner here'

She is turning against Gerald as she has came to reality and found out the truth.

Act 1

"(Flaring up)... it's you two who are being childish- not trying to face the facts"

'Flaring up' suggests this is emotionally affecting her.

The phrase, 'face the facts' presents her annoyance that her parents can not face the reality of their actions.

Adjective 'childish' conveys how Sheila feels about the immaturity of her parents idealism.

Ironic as Sheila is younger but is wiser and has a growth mindset unlike her parents.

Sheila is finally confronting her parents and explaining that they need to take responsibility for their actions.

"But we are all in it- up to the neck."

'We're' emphasises her belief that they should feel regret and 'all' should take responsibility and they can not escape it.

Metaphor 'up to the neck' shows imagery in them drowning in their sins.

She believes they're all responsible for Eva's death.

"You fool. Of course he knows."

Subverts sterotyoes of women in the patriarchal society by standing her ground.

She ignores Gerald, doesn't want to help him hide the truth.

"I'll never, never do it again to anybody"

Making a conscious effort to change. This is metamorphoses as ironically she wasn't so accepting at the beginning.

Reveals her social awareness and she repeats the adverb 'never' suggesting she has learnt her lesson.

Fully aware of her actions and accepting full responsibility.

"(She almost breaks down, but just controls herself) How could I know what would happen afterwards?

Stage direction suggests she is unable to control emotions- she is becoming hysterical.

Rhetorical question suggests she is trying to be innocent & naive.

Uses her social status to bend the rules.

Alludes she was physically unaware of the consequences and therefore should not be held responsible.

"(with mock aggression) Go on Gerald- just you object"

Highlights the rivalry between socialists and capitalists.

'Mock' reinforces her superiority and rude nature.

"But these girls aren't cheap labour- they're people."

She is a socialist, this is ironic as she is upper-class, she is the most progressive character in the play.

Challenges her father's capitalistic views and realises that working class are people too! She sympathises them.

Frustrated tone- shows her annoyance towards parents.

"It's a rotten shame"

She feels socially responsible and conscious of her actions.

Shows her sense of guilt and remorse for Eva.

"(taking out the ring) Oh- it's wonderful! Look mummy- isnt't it a beauty?"

'Wonderful' highlights sheer happiness she feels with her engagement.

'Beauty' emphasises how materialistic she is in act 1.

Subtopic

Imperative verb 'look' suggests her desperation to show of her wealth and for attention.

Context!!! In 1912 wealthy women were expected to be mothers and wives this is a patriarchal society.