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Essay / How Sheila is Introduced in An Inspector Calls
Sheila's character changes massively throughout JB Priestley's An Inspector Calls, often in ways that register an increasing maturity. Initially, Sheila is presented through staging as a “pretty girl in her twenties, very happy with life and rather excited”; she is depicted as a "childish" young girl who "bickers" with her brother, calling him "squiffy" and acting in a manner not entirely befitting a young adult. However, as an evolving woman, Sheila matures and becomes more independent towards the end of the play, reflecting some of Priestley's ideas about social equality between the sexes. To answer the question “How is Sheila introduced in An Inspector Calls?” », this essay analyzes the character of Sheila and her transformation in the novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay When Gerald first presents Sheila with an engagement ring, she exclaims, “Look, Mom, isn’t it a beauty”; this statement presents her character as still childish, since she is whimsical with her mother and is still "half playful". Her character begins to evolve when she gives her own opinion on how Mr. Birling runs his business. As she says, “but these girls are not cheap labor: they are people.” In 1912, women's opinions were considered unimportant in such matters, as is made clear earlier in the play where "she (Mrs. Birling) and Sheila go out" and Mr. Birling speaks alone to the men. Mr Birling also highlights “we businessmen” in his speech, and in doing so he indicates that women have no place in the corporate category; However, in her remarks about the job, Sheila gives her own take on the matter and actually contradicts the way a man runs his business. This storyline reflects Priestley's ideas about the social equality of the sexes, as he begins to present Sheila as the woman who will lead women to the right to vote and the same status enjoyed by men. It also shows two contrasting women, one who depends on her husband and parents and the other who breaks free and becomes more independent. We know that Sheila's actions that led to Eva Smith's second firing were carried out because she was in a "furious temper" and because the item of clothing she was trying on "fitted her (Eva Smith) better" at the place. This sequence of events suggests that Sheila's spoiled upbringing led to her jealousy of "pretty" women like Eva Smith and implies that she abused her power as "the daughter of a good client and also of a well-known man in the town” to dismiss. Eva because she felt “better” than another woman. Sheila thus reveals a childish attitude which led to serious consequences, demonstrating her negatively youthful character because she was not able to look ahead or act with more maturity. However, her use of dramatic language in the statement "we killed her" shows her definitive acceptance of her guilt and collective responsibility. She becomes more independent as the play progresses and towards the end; everyone is “triumphant” and “happy” to know that the Inspector was a fake and that perhaps a collective image is saved. Nonetheless, Sheila responds, "(bitterly) I guess we're all good people now" and shows her sarcasm by continuing: "So nothing happened, so there's nothing to regret, nothing to learn." " His.