How Does Sheila Change In An Inspector Calls

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The play An Inspector Calls is a play based in the 20th century, written by J.B Priestley. He primarily uses the play to attack and criticise the capitalist views of that period by presenting a murder and how capitalist supporters and socialist supporters reactions comparatively. Sheila Birling is part of the Birling family featured in the play: an upper class prosperous family. She displays the transition from nationalist to socialist views Priestley so desires. Sheila's character drastically develops and transitions over the play from a reliant child into a mature, independent woman who has her own political opinions. Sheila sympathises with the moral importance in helping everyone, which is against her very capitalist, money and class originated …show more content…

Towards the end of the play Sheila begins to put others before herself selflessly, shown when she says “I'm staying here until I know why that girl killed herself” (p.30.). Instead of saying Eva Smith’s name, Sheila says “that girl”. “That” is unspecific and “girl” is objectifying Eva and generalising her to a stranger who has nothing to do with Sheila. Using the word “I” shows how Sheila is still the same self-centred girl from the beginning of the play who only talks about herself however the quotation as a whole is displaying how Sheila has concerns on other people's lives and will sacrifice her own well being for them. Sheila changes over the play to take responsibility. “I know….. I started it” (p.56.) and “who is crying quietly” (p.56.) are examples of this. Again, sheila turns the conversation back to herself by using the pronoun “I” however the quote overall is kind, genuine and remorseful. Also, Sheila says “it” which could show she's in denial or too scared to say what happened to Eva whilst owning up to contributing to Eva’s death at the same time. “Who is crying quietly” (p.56.) presents how Sheila is emotionally unable to control how she feels and unquestionably sorry for what she's done. In addition, the fact that Sheila crying means she's sincerely apologetic. Also she's crying “quietly” which might mean she's been taught by her capitalist parents to contain her emotions and not let them take over. Her emotional connection with Eva leads the reader to understand, relate and feel sorry for Sheila whilst her mind is developing and