Sheila Birling

The last line of the play though is Sheila rising from her seat which symbolically suggests that she, as a representative of young women, will rise

act 1

act 2

act 3

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The final stage directions depict Sheila to be 'facing the door'

""in some odd way, I rather respect you more than I've ever done before" - Sheila shows great maturity in forgiving Gerald.

Stage directions describe her as 'very pleased with life' - this reflects her luxurious upbringing

highlights her ignorance to the reality of what her luxurious lifestyle is costing others

'mummy' and 'daddy' are nouns that are commonly used by younger children and not adults

infantilised by her parents

she gets told off by her Mother for squabbling with her brother

“Is it the one you wanted me to have?”

highlights her materialistic nature

'we often do on the young ones'

this suggests that the Inspectors socialist values are more impressionable on younger people

This reflects a view of Priestley’s which was that socialism and left wing values are more impactful on younger people

She claims her family are beginning to “pretend” that nothing has happened, clearly accepting that things won’t be the same again.

It seems that the girl who was once infantilised is now accusing her parents of playing make-believe - this contrast to her infantilization in act one

Sheila says at the end that her parents behaviour 'scares' her

References the Inspectors final speech about 'fire, blood and anguish.'

which references the years of World War to come

her parents continue to ignore her and begin to belittle her

this specific instruction from Priestley could suggest that Sheila is ready to face the new inspector, or ready to leave

The last line of the play though is Sheila rising from her seat which symbolically suggests that she, as a representative of young women, will rise