An inspector calls essay

In the Play “An inspector calls”, J.B Priestly presents the characters to take responsibility in different forms. Sheila Birling changes the way she takes responsibility throughout the play, including times before Inspector Goole arrives, during the presence of Goole and after the inspector leaves.
Before the Inspector arrives, we are told that Sheila Birling is o be married with Gerald and there is a celebration being held at the Birling’s house, Sheila is known to be very irresponsible before the inspector arrives, and to an extent to which she starts to ignore other family members. This is supported by the quote and stage direction "Oh-it's wonderful! Look- Mummy-isn’t it a beauty? Oh-darling-[She kisses GERALD hastily]". We immediately see from this quotation the innocence excitement and irresponsibility of Sheila by her reaction to the engagement ring Gerald has given her. The exclamation mark after the work wonderful emphasises on the point that Sheila is amazed and exited and indirectly shows her lack or responsibility as she acts in a childish manner, for when you give a child something they ask for and they show expressions of happiness and excitement. In the same way Sheila is shown to be irresponsible at the beginning of the play. Furthermore the stage direction says that “she kisses Gerald hastily” this again suggests irresponsibility as she kisses him in a hurry, the word hastily emphasises that she is not calm and therefore does not think through what actions she should be taking thus showing a lack of responsibility.
J.B Priestly shows Sheila to gain some responsibility during the presence of the inspector to portray the point that after knowing her place on the death of Eva Smith, she has gained a fear and feels guilt towards what she has done. This is clearly supported by the quote "I know I’m to blame and I'm desperately sorry-but- I can’t believe- I won’t believe it’s simply my fault”. The quote clearly tells us that Sheila is feeling guilty