Shelia Birling

Shelia Birling

"a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleasured life and rather excited"
1. but also very self-centred: "and I've been so happy tonight. oh I wish you hadn't told me"
  1. however, she is has a more thoughtful side too: "but these girls aren't cheap labour they're people"
Shelia is a character who develops the most in play. from being spoilt and self-centred, to admitting her shameful behaviour and to take responsibility
she isn't a likeable character in the start of the play: she is silly and shallow, overly- impressed by Gerald's ring and rather passive!
1. " I'm sorry daddy"
she was aware of Eric's drinking problem: "you're squiffy"
Shelia is shocked and distressed by the details of Eva's death: "oh, how horrible!"
when Shelia is told the story of her involvements she is honest and ashamed. she doesn't try to cover up what she has does she admits straight to what she has done: " so I'm really responsible?"
the inspector makes Shelia realise exactly what she has done : " you used the power you had as the daughter of a good customer.... to punish the girl"
Shelia doesn't realise the consequences for her actions: "it didn't seem to be anything terrible at the time"
she is the first person in the play to realise that the inspector is unusual
she won't help Gerald to hide his role in Eva Smiths death: she becomes very assertive when she calls her fiancé a fool.
when ,Mrs Birling arrives she tries to warn her but her mother doesn't listen and makes a fool out of her self anyway.
When Mr and Mrs Birling and Gerald realise it's all a hoax. Eric and Shelia are the only two that see sense and realise what they've done whereas, the older generation don't and see it as they've done nothing wrong. The older generation are worried about the hoax but Shelia and Eric are worried about there actions

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	Created by Shannon Bridgwater over 7 years ago