Sheila Birling Character Analysis

Sheila Birling is a character that goes through an intense and rapid character development throughout ‘An Inspector Calls’, transitioning from a naïve and privileged upper-class self-centred young lady to a woman who is able to stand up to her parents and present her own opinions representing Priestley’s ideologies of socialism.
In Act 1, Sheila appears very naïve and obsessed with her engagement. She also goes to lengths to impress Gerald by flirting with him and joking to show him that she is entertaining and a good wife “[with mock aggressiveness]: Go on, Gerald – just you object!” She is playing the traditional role of subservient female in the 20s but because she is using mock aggression she gives off the impression that she is flirting with him by showing her strong personality, which is ultimately quite shallow and vain.
She also shows how much she appreciates him by
She fights against her father and Gerald’s views and stays firm in her own which is something a woman in the 1920s would not do, highlighting her representation of socialism and equal rights to everyone. She shows great maturity in Act 2 after the Inspector interrogates her. She is compliant to talk to him showing both her guilt and naivety, and after this she advises her parents and Gerald to do the same as she has realised that the Inspector has another agenda. “…can’t you see […] you’re making it worse?” She also shows extreme remorse and understanding of her actions unlike her mother, which shows she is more than a shadow of her mother and is becoming her own person. She becomes more serious and no longer jokes around with her family, but acts hysterical, understanding the seriousness of the situation and in how much danger she could potentially be. Through this she is a voice of guilt and rationality, guiding the others, including the Inspector during the interrogation. “Go on, Mother. You might as well admit