Sheila: The Evolution of Social Consciousness

Sheila's character in An Inspector Calls represents the younger generation's growing social awareness and willingness to change. Her development throughout the play is a stark contrast to her parents' rigid attitudes.

Quote: "Mother - Stop - Stop!"

This moment of dramatic irony, where Sheila realizes Eric is the father of Eva's child, showcases her increasing perceptiveness. It also demonstrates a reversal of roles, with Sheila trying to protect her mother from the truth.

Sheila's character evolves from being naive and submissive to more mature and socially responsible. Her sarcastic comment, "I suppose we're all nice people now," reveals her disapproval of her parents' attitudes and her own growth.

Highlight: Sheila represents how the younger generation is more willing to accept social responsibility and lead change in society.

Priestley uses Sheila to challenge capitalist and patriarchal norms. Her statement "These girls aren't cheap labour" directly confronts her father's dehumanizing approach to business, showcasing her developing socialist views.

Example: Sheila's reluctance to accept Gerald's ring back $"No, not yet. It's too soon. I must think"$ shows her growing maturity and independence.

As the play progresses, Sheila becomes more understanding and perceptive of those around her. She quickly takes responsibility for her actions and understands the greater significance of the Inspector's visit as a moral teaching.

Gerald: The Conflicted Middle Ground

Gerald's character in An Inspector Calls represents a middle ground between the older and younger generations, embodying both traditional upper-class values and a capacity for change.

Quote: "So I broke it off before I went"

This statement reveals Gerald's affair with Daisy Renton $Eva Smith$ and his attempt to end it before returning to Sheila. It showcases the complex moral landscape of the play and the interconnectedness of the characters' actions.

Sheila's perceptiveness is highlighted in her interaction with Gerald. She immediately recognizes his reaction to Daisy Renton's name, demonstrating her growing awareness and understanding of those around her.

Highlight: The revelation of Gerald's affair exposes the extent of patriarchal control in their society and challenges the facade of upper-class respectability.

Gerald's excuses for his absence during the previous summer $"I was awfully busy at the works at that time"$ are seen through by Sheila, showcasing her development and the breakdown of traditional power dynamics.

Example: Sheila's comment "Oh don't be stupid... you gave yourself away as soon as he mentioned her other name" demonstrates her newfound assertiveness and insight.

Priestley uses Gerald's character to explore themes of honesty, responsibility, and the potential for change within the upper class. His conflicted nature adds depth to the play's exploration of social and moral issues in early 20th century Britain.

The Inspector: Catalyst for Change

The Inspector in An Inspector Calls serves as a catalyst for revealing the characters' involvement with Eva Smith and challenging their moral perspectives. His omniscience and methodical approach drive the play's narrative and thematic development.

Quote: "Why you fool - he knows!"

Sheila's realization of the Inspector's knowledge highlights his role as an all-knowing figure. This adds to the play's mysterious atmosphere and reinforces the Inspector's function as a moral arbiter.

The Inspector's presence forces each character to confront their actions and their consequences. His questioning technique gradually reveals the interconnectedness of the Birling family's involvement in Eva Smith's life and death.

Highlight: The Inspector represents social conscience and the need for collective responsibility in society.

Priestley uses the Inspector to challenge the characters' - and by extension, the audience's - preconceptions about class, responsibility, and morality. His revelations serve as a critique of capitalist and upper-class attitudes prevalent in early 20th century Britain.

Example: The Inspector's systematic unveiling of each character's role in Eva's downfall creates tension and drives the play's exploration of social inequality and moral responsibility.

The ambiguity surrounding the Inspector's true identity at the end of the play adds another layer of complexity to Priestley's message. It leaves the audience questioning whether the Inspector was real or a manifestation of the characters' guilty consciences.

Page 4: The Inspector's Message

The Inspector serves as a moral catalyst, emphasizing collective responsibility and social justice. His message challenges the older generation's individualistic worldview.

Quote: "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other"

Highlight: The Inspector's religious overtones reinforce the moral dimension of social responsibility

Mrs. Birling: The Embodiment of Upper-Class Attitudes

Mrs. Birling represents the older generation's entrenched upper-class attitudes in An Inspector Calls. She refuses to accept any blame for Eva Smith's death, demonstrating her cold nature and neglect of moral duty. This aligns with Priestley's critique of the wealthy's responsibility towards the poor.

Quote: "But I accept no blame at all"

Mrs. Birling's character is defined by her refusal to take responsibility and her dismissive attitude towards the younger generation. She sees Eric and Sheila as children, not adults, and is quick to criticize her husband for breaking social conventions.

Highlight: Mrs. Birling embodies the upper-class attitudes of the time - arrogance, snobbery, and selfishness.

Her obliviousness to the realities of her family members' actions $Eric's drinking, Gerald's affair$ showcases her detachment from reality. Even at the end of the play, she, like Mr. Birling, tries to evade responsibility when they discover the Inspector might be fake.

Example: Mrs. Birling's statement "As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money" demonstrates her cruel generalizations about the working class.

Priestley uses Mrs. Birling's character to critique the power dynamics of early 20th century Britain, where the upper class could use their influence to hurt rather than help those in need.