Describe the way Sheila's character is developed throughout the course of the play.

Sheila is possesive of Gerald when she says that she would hate for him to become an expert on

port "like one of those purple faced old men".

Sheila's relationship with Eric is completely different, and we see that they are always arguing with

each other or calling each other names.For example when Eric lets out the laugh during the dinner

party, Sheila calls him "squiffy", or later on when she says "Don't be an ass, Eric." This seems to

be a petty sibling rivalry.

Sheila appears to get on very well with Mrs Birling. There never seems to be any aggression

between the two, just polite conversation. Also, Sheila seems to agree with her mother most of the

time , which we see when Mrs Birling objects to her husband talking about work, Sheila says

"Neither do I. All wrong."

Sheila seems to have a different relationship with Mr Birling than she does with any other members

of the family. I think this is because Mr Birling still sees Sheila as a little girl, and doesn't have

much respect for her intelligence. This is shown when he starts a speech, and Sheila continues to

admire her newly acquired ring. Mr Birling then becomes annoyed and asks "Are you listening

Sheila?"

I think Sheila has a somewhat missinformed outlook on the world, having lived in such a priviliged

familiy all her life.

When Sheila first meets the inspector, she isn't sure what is going on, but appears worried when

she asks "What Business? Whats Happening?" When Sheila does find out what business the

inspector has at the house, she shows genuine concern exclaiming "Oh-how horrible!" Sheila then

proceeds to find out all she can about the girl.

Sheila's attitude towards her father changes to a disgusted one when she finds out that Mr Birling

had sacked Eva Smith. She says its "a rotten shame" and says how girls like this are "people" and

not just "cheap labour."

When the inspector begins questioning her, Sheila appears to feel guilty and says that while she

felt bad at the time for complaining, she now felt "a lot worse." Sheila begins to feel more worried

that she is responsible, and when she moves onto her large speech,"she almost breaks down, but

just controls herself." She admits that she was jealous of the fact that the girl looked better in the

dress than she did.

After the revelation, Sheila seems to be remorseful for what she has done, and she says she'll

"never,never do it again to anybody."

In acts two and three, we see that Sheila is trying to protect her mother from making the same

mistake as she and her father had done. She tries to stop her from setting her up for a fall. At the

start of Mrs Birling's questioning, Sheila asks her mother to stop before its "too late." Then at the

close of act two, when Mrs Birling has just left it clear the Eric got Eva pregnant, Sheila says

"Mother-I begged you and begged you to stop."

Towards the end of the play, when we find out the inspector is not a real inspector, while Mr and

Mrs Birling believe they have got off scot free, Sheila thinks differently.She knows that everything

they "said had happened really had happened." This reaction is significant as it shows Sheila has

really matured throughout the play.

I think Priestley has created Sheila to give the audience a person whom they can follow throughout

the play. The audience learn that she can be spitefull in the middle of the play, then towards the

end, Sheila is seen to be the more respectful in the family, as she still feels guilty even though the

girl isn't dead.