GCSE INSPECTOR CALLS
David Cruickshank 13/02/15
“How does priestly present Sheila and Gerald in the play? Use brief quotations to support your ideas.”
Throughout the play, Priestley compares and contrasts the characters of Sheila and Gerald. In this essay I will be discussing how Priestley Sheila develops during the play, how many affect the situation of Gerald and Sheila’s relationship when new points of information are addressed to the Birling family, and also about the character of Gerald and how he has entitlement and shows great emotion with Eva.
Towards the beginning of the play, priestly contrasts the characters of Sheila and Gerald, as their engagement is being celebrated. Gerald is presented as in control. Sheila asks him “when do I drink?” and he replies, “You can drink to me”. Priestley has Sheila ask a question to show her dependence on Gerald, revealing 1912 England as a patriarchal society. His reply shows his confidence and security about her feelings for him. However, when Sheila says, “last summer never came near me”. Gerald’s response, (“and I told you-I was awfully busy at work”) reveals that Sheila is less secure than she appears and perhaps than she her self realises. The use of the hyphen suggests that Gerald is hesitant. Sheila’s tone could be seen as joking but also even resentful.
Towards the end of the play, priestly gives us the impression that Sheila has been influenced by the inspectors morals greatly, as when they are discussing as a family on how to act with the possibility that the inspector isn’t really an inspector. Sheila is presented as of less importance within the Birling hierocracy due to the fact of Sheila being a woman and due to the society at the time; Sheila presents “I behaved badly to. I know I did. I am ashamed of it. But now you’re beginning all over again to pretend that nothing much has happened” Mr Birling replies “Nothing much has happened!” Priestly has Sheila represent a
“How does priestly present Sheila and Gerald in the play? Use brief quotations to support your ideas.”
Throughout the play, Priestley compares and contrasts the characters of Sheila and Gerald. In this essay I will be discussing how Priestley Sheila develops during the play, how many affect the situation of Gerald and Sheila’s relationship when new points of information are addressed to the Birling family, and also about the character of Gerald and how he has entitlement and shows great emotion with Eva.
Towards the beginning of the play, priestly contrasts the characters of Sheila and Gerald, as their engagement is being celebrated. Gerald is presented as in control. Sheila asks him “when do I drink?” and he replies, “You can drink to me”. Priestley has Sheila ask a question to show her dependence on Gerald, revealing 1912 England as a patriarchal society. His reply shows his confidence and security about her feelings for him. However, when Sheila says, “last summer never came near me”. Gerald’s response, (“and I told you-I was awfully busy at work”) reveals that Sheila is less secure than she appears and perhaps than she her self realises. The use of the hyphen suggests that Gerald is hesitant. Sheila’s tone could be seen as joking but also even resentful.
Towards the end of the play, priestly gives us the impression that Sheila has been influenced by the inspectors morals greatly, as when they are discussing as a family on how to act with the possibility that the inspector isn’t really an inspector. Sheila is presented as of less importance within the Birling hierocracy due to the fact of Sheila being a woman and due to the society at the time; Sheila presents “I behaved badly to. I know I did. I am ashamed of it. But now you’re beginning all over again to pretend that nothing much has happened” Mr Birling replies “Nothing much has happened!” Priestly has Sheila represent a