Sheila Burling in J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls"

Introduction

• Character analysis by Mr. Knight, focusing on Sheila Burling from the play "An Inspector Calls" by J.B. Priestley.
• Content covered:
  • Summary of Sheila's role.
  • Ten key quotations.
  • Discussion of Priestley's intentions.

Character Summary

• Sheila Burling is Arthur Burling's daughter.
• Early 20s in 1912, engaged to Gerald Croft.
• Initially presented as childish and giddy.
• Most insightful character, understands the inspector's methods.
• Role in Eva Smith's suicide: had her fired out of jealousy.

Key Quotations and Analysis

1. Stage Directions

• "Sheila is a pretty girl in her early 20s, very pleased with life and rather excited."
  • Highlights her youth, beauty, and initial unserious demeanor.

2. Engagement Party

• "Yes go on mummy, you must drink our health."
  • Reveals her immaturity, referring to her mother as "mummy."
  • Shows a slight assertiveness.

3. Response to Eva's Death

• "What was she like? Quite young? Pretty?"
  • Reflects distress; short sentences, quick pace.
  • Displays empathy or possibly vanity.

4. View on Labor

• "But these girls aren't cheap labor, they're people."
  • Shows socialist sympathies.
  • Contrasts with Mr. Birling’s capitalist views.
  • Emphasizes humanness.

5. Insight and Hysteria

• "Why you fool, he knows, of course he knows."
  • Reflects her insightful understanding of the inspector's knowledge and methods.
  • Displays emotional turmoil due to Gerald’s affair.

6. Accepting Responsibility

• "Yes, that's it, and I know I'm to blame and I'm desperately sorry."
  • Shows personal growth and willingness to accept some responsibility.

7. Confrontation with Mr. Birling

• "Don't interfere, please, father."
  • Interrupts Mr. Birling, showing maturity.
  • Use of "father" instead of "daddy" reflects her maturing.

8. Post-Inspector Reflection

• "I behaved badly too, I know I did. I'm ashamed of it."
  • Accepts her faults, distances from parents’ denial.

9. Mature Response to Parents

• "I'm not being, if you want to know, it's you two who are being childish."
  • Displays maturity and attempts to confront parents' denial.

10. Final Insight

• "Whoever the inspector was, it was anything but a joke."
  • Critiques parents' and Gerald’s return to old ways.
  • Priestley’s message through Sheila's development: hope for future generations.

Author's Intentions

• Audience Reflection: Sheila represents Priestley's audience (1945), urging them to embrace social responsibility.
• Praise for Women: Celebrates women’s roles and empowerment post-WWII.
• Encouragement for Change: Even those from privileged backgrounds, like Sheila, can change and adopt more compassionate views.

Conclusion

• Sheila's Journey: From a jealous, immature girl to a responsible, insightful young woman.
• Educational Use: Suggestions for studying and extrapolating Sheila’s character through quotations.

Study Suggestions

• Create flashcards for each quotation.
• Practice with exam-style questions.
• Engage creatively (e.g., rhymes, songs) to remember key points.

• Final Notes: Emphasizes taking breaks during revisions for effectiveness.