How Does Sheila Change In An Inspector Calls

‘Sheila is the character who changes the most over the course of the play’ Discuss

This morality play is written by J.B. Priestley and takes place in the dining room of the Birlings’ house in Brumley, an Industrial City in the North Midlands. The Birlings’ family are celebrating a special occasion. Sheila’s overall mood at this time is carefree. Sheila is engaged to Gerald Croft and she is pleased and excited at the prospect of her marriage. In this scenario Sheila and Gerald are in love with each other. The Birling family is upper middle class. This play is set in 1912 (which was before World War 1) and was performed in 1946 (which was after World War 2). There was a big change in society during this time. J.B. Priestley was a socialist,

She becomes more mature. In Act 3, after the inspector has left the Birlings’ house, Sheila mentions, ‘… The point is, you don’t seem to have learnt anything…’. This quotation indicates that Sheila is a dynamic character who is willing to change. Through her interactions with the inspector she goes on a learning journey. Sheila has matured and she is now more responsible. She clearly understands what she has done and she is willing to learn from her mistakes. This is also indicated in Act 3, ‘…I behaved badly too. I know I did. I’m ashamed of it…’. Sheila’s understanding of her mistakes suggest to the reader that she will change to become a better person and a more caring person who understands other people’s feelings. This would make the reader question the possibility that the inspector is portrayed to spread J.B. Priestley’s socialist message across to Sheila, as from contextual knowledge J.B. Priestley was a socialist. Towards the end of Act 3, Sheila character further develops. She begins to stand up for herself and to stand up to what she believes is right, ‘… I tell you – whoever that inspector was, it was anything but a joke…’. The imperatives ‘I tell you’ suggests that Sheila has now become assertive. She is now showing a greater understanding that people’s actions could lead to very serious consequences. This is highlighted by the tragic death of Eva

Eric becomes more assertive as well, similar to Sheila’s character change. In Act 3, Eric responds to his father’s question, ‘…Well, I’m old enough to be married, aren’t I, and I’m not married, and I hate these fat old tarts round the town…’. This reply shows that Eric is trying to strongly indicate to his father that he is a grown man and not a young boy. Eric is clearly struggling with the lack of control he has of his own life. He is assertive and now has more confidence in himself to stand up to his parent’s. Eric is also portrayed as rebellious, as he is not willing to comply with his parent’s