Sheila Birling in Act 1 (An Inspector Calls Play Analysis)

In the beginning of the act 1 Sheila is presented as a naive and immature child. This is emphasised through her language replicating that of a young child. This is deeply ironic as she is “in her early twenties.” This is demonstrated through the pronouns of “Mummy” and “Daddy.” This aspect of her character Further, presented through the childish characteristics of her being self-centred and selfish. Evidence to support this would be her reaction to the death of Eva smith “I’ve been so happy tonight.” This emphasis how she views her suicided as a distraction and an inconvenience and that she ruined her happy evening. This shows Sheila as so immature and self-centred that she is incapable of showing empathy towards anyone. Priestley may have done this to show how Shelia’s role throughout the act is to emphasise the positive changes that result from becoming less self-centred and developing socialist views.  

In the beginning of act 1 it is also clear that Shelia feels obligated to agree with her father this changes as the audience can observe her going against her fathers views and acts as a medium for Priestly socialist message. Evidence to support this would be the quote “But these girls aren’t cheap labour their people.” This shows how Shelia begins to deviate from her father’s capitalist views. This is further shown through her breaking down of social barriers and seeing every one as equal in contrast to her father’s capitalist beliefs who believe that the working class are below them. The quote that supports this is “It’s the only time I’ve ever done anything like that, and I’ll never, never do it again to anybody.” The pronoun “anybody” shows how she breaks the social barrier and recognises that people of all classes deserve the same amount of respect that she does. This could have been done to suggest how the younger generation can make a change to socialism. And how all classes are equal. 

As act 1 progresses Sheila is shown to be more insightful then any of the other characters. Evidence to support this is 'Why-you fool- he knows. Of course he knows.' The adjective “fool” emphases how obvious it is to Sheila that the inspector knows more then they think. She knows that if they try to keep anything from him it will make things worse and is pointless as he knows it already. This further suggest how Sheila is gaining self confidence and now no longer has to act niave and childish. This is followed up with Sheila.