How does Priestley present Sheila Birling in act 1?
At the beginning of act 1 in 'An Inspector Calls', Sheila Birling is presented as 'a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited'. This also describes how she acts for most of act 1, until she is shown the picture of Eva Smith, and then 'she gives a half-stifled sob' which marks her first change in the novel. Her mood in act 1 switches from acting 'gaily' around Gerald to 'almost breaks down, but just controls herself', showing she is also the character most capable of change.
Priestley first portrays Sheila as naïve, as she seems very 'playful' and he refers to her being possessed as she talks to Gerald. Although she is 'half serious, half playful' Priestley makes her seem more clever as she has suspicions about Gerald when she mentions 'last summer, when you never came near me'. This only becomes apparent to the reader when Gerald reveals that he had an affair with Eva Smith as well.
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This shows the beginning of a good analysis but there is not enough in depth exploration of the character's role. Even when analysing a particular scene it is important to make links with other points in the play to show how you are considering the context of an act or character within the context whole play. 3 Stars