Sheila Birling Character Analysis

Sheila Birling represents the younger generation in An Inspector Calls, embodying the potential for change and moral growth. Her character arc is one of the most significant in the play, as she evolves from a naive, privileged young woman to a more socially conscious individual.

Quote: "But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people."

This statement marks a turning point in Sheila's character development, showing her growing awareness of social inequality and her ability to empathize with those less fortunate.

Initially portrayed as frivolous and sheltered, Sheila's encounter with the Inspector catalyzes a profound change in her worldview. She is quick to acknowledge her role in Eva Smith's downfall and shows genuine remorse for her actions.

Highlight: Sheila's willingness to confront her own mistakes and take responsibility sets her apart from her parents and represents hope for social progress.

Sheila's relationship with Gerald also undergoes significant change throughout the play. Her growing maturity is evident in her ability to critically examine their engagement and question societal expectations.

Example: Sheila's decision to return Gerald's ring demonstrates her newfound independence and refusal to conform to societal norms without question.

As the play progresses, Sheila becomes increasingly critical of her parents' attitudes and behaviors. She serves as a voice of conscience, challenging the older generation's complacency and hypocrisy.

Quote: "You mustn't try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl."

This statement highlights Sheila's rejection of the class divisions her parents seek to maintain and her growing understanding of social responsibility.

Vocabulary: Complacency - A feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.

Sheila's character in An Inspector Calls ultimately represents hope for the future. Her ability to learn from her mistakes and her willingness to challenge the status quo make her a key figure in Priestley's critique of Edwardian society and his call for social change.

Eric Birling Character Analysis

Eric Birling, the youngest member of the Birling family in An Inspector Calls, represents the conflicted nature of the younger generation caught between traditional values and emerging social consciousness. His character arc reveals the consequences of privilege without responsibility and the potential for redemption through acknowledgment and change.

Quote: "You don't understand anything. You never did. You never even tried."

This powerful statement directed at his parents encapsulates Eric's frustration with the older generation's willful ignorance and lack of empathy.

Initially presented as a "half-shy, half-assertive" young man, Eric's true character is gradually revealed through the Inspector's investigation. His alcoholism and irresponsible behavior reflect the aimlessness of a privileged youth lacking purpose or moral guidance.

Highlight: Eric's involvement with Eva Smith/Daisy Renton exposes the exploitation inherent in the class system and the dangerous combination of power and immaturity.

Unlike his parents, Eric shows genuine remorse for his actions and a willingness to accept responsibility. This marks a significant departure from the attitudes of the older generation and aligns him more closely with Sheila's perspective.

Example: Eric's insistence on facing the consequences of his actions, including his willingness to go to prison, demonstrates his moral growth throughout the play.

Eric's relationship with his parents, particularly his father, is strained and emblematic of the generational divide. His criticism of their values and his rejection of his father's offer to cover up the scandal show his emerging independence and moral stance.

Quote: "The money's not the important thing. It's what happened to the girl and what we all did to her that matters."

This statement highlights Eric's shift in priorities from protecting his reputation to acknowledging the human cost of their actions.

Vocabulary: Redemption - The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.

Eric's character in An Inspector Calls serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked privilege while also offering hope for change. His journey from irresponsibility to accountability mirrors the play's broader themes of social responsibility and the need for collective action to address societal issues.

Mr. Birling Character Analysis

Mr. Birling is a central figure in An Inspector Calls, embodying the capitalist ideals that Priestley critiques throughout the play. His character is portrayed as pretentious, gluttonous, and hubristic, serving as a microcosm of capitalist society.

Highlight: Mr. Birling's physical description as a "heavy looking, rather portentous man" immediately establishes his threatening and pompous nature.

Birling's background reveals his social climbing, having married into a higher class. This insecurity manifests in his arrogant behavior and dismissive attitude towards those he considers beneath him.

Quote: "I wasn't rich in the past - Mrs Birling is her husband's social superior"

His lack of foresight and misplaced confidence in the status quo are evident in his statements about the Titanic and the impossibility of war. This dramatic irony serves to undermine his credibility with the audience.

Example: Birling's claim that the Titanic is "unsinkable" and that "the Germans don't want war" showcases his ignorance and overconfidence.

Birling's avaricious nature is evident in his treatment of workers and his prioritization of profit over people. He represents the static, unchanging nature of the upper class, resistant to social progress.

Quote: "If you don't come down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be asking for the earth!"

His pompous attitude is further illustrated by his need for public validation and his dismissal of social responsibility. Birling's character serves as a cautionary tale against the dangers of unchecked capitalism and social indifference.

Vocabulary: Hubristic - Showing excessive pride or self-confidence.