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Importance Of Sheila In An Inspector Calls

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What is the importance of Sheila in the play, 'An Inspector Calls '? 'An Inspector Calls ' written by J.B. Priestley in 1945, revolves around an investigation about a working-class girl who has committed suicide due to the Capitalist nature of society. In this play Priestley uses each character to represent an important message to deliver to the audience, mostly about the theme of responsibility. Priestley uses the young Sheila Birling, a carefree lady, to drive the play forward. Her importance shows the audience the need for a social change where gender equality is concerned and it highlights differences in attitude among the generations. In addition, it seems that Sheila becomes a 'Second Inspector ' towards the end of the play in order to reinforce Priestley 's message.
The importance of Sheila is to illustrate the Social Divide in 1912, between the upper-class and the lower-class. The fact that Mr. Birling, who owns "Birling and Company," is a well-known and successful businessman, would suggest that Sheila would like to secure a wealthy husband (Gerald Croft, next heir to the Croft Industries) in order to continue her affluent lifestyle. The Inspector makes Sheila aware of the fact that she mistreated Eva Smith by insisting that she must be dismissed from Milwards. In a flashback Sheila confessed that she had reported her to the staff and said "This girl is very impertinent." In this scene, she said that out of jealousy and spitefulness; she uses the word
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