Due to Eva’s social list views although she could be promoted and have more money it would be unethical to her; therefore it would be more prudent to have the money shared among her colleagues.
However Mr Birling doesn’t share the same views with Eva, her actions thought to be rebellious and destabilising for the workers of the company, because of this she is dismissed. Mrs Birling in the play repeated show no pity to the character of Eva Smith, who was in desperate need of money at a most difficult time of her life, she refuses to give her money and accuses her of having “elaborate airs and fine feelings” and suggests that Eva should be grateful and not get above her station.
Sheila inherited a substantial amount of money which would categorise her status as a bourgeois.
In contrast Mrs Birling and Sheila are different even if a person is from a lower class than herself and Sheila would still respect them whom what they are, Sheila has envisaged a healthy and prosperous relation ship with her husband-to-be Gerald Croft, which in addition would put her amongst aristocracy.
In addition to their engagement party, she is looking forward to marrying Gerald croft and being part of the aristocracy.
At the beginning of the play Sheila’s character is identifiable by her humour as seen in this quote “gaily possessively I should jolly well think not, Gerald I’d hate you to know all about the port like one of those purple-faced men.”
Mr Birling’s attitude to the marriage is positively, he’s looking forward to the couple getting married because it will reflect a good image on his business well being, “its one of the happiest nights of my life”. Soon after nr birling makes the speech.
There is a dramatic change in Sheila’s character she becomes curious and has queries for the inspector, she wants to know more about this total stranger, Sheila is very affectionate she gets involved personally and feels sorry for Eva but their is going to be a change in how Sheila responds compared to other characters. After the inspector shows Sheila the picture of Eva smith and tells her that she’s to work in Milwards and was offered the job because every one had the flu. Sheila suddenly remembers that she complained about a young girl smiling at her when she was trying to dress much to Sheila’s resentment when Eva tried it on too she looked perfect, Sheila was furious and jealous that some girl could make her look silly by smiling. Sheila does everything in her power to get rid of Eva; she threatens to eliminate any possibilities of any family member of the Birlings buying from Milwards. This would be disastrous to for Milwards because the Birlings are regular prestigious clients.
Naturally Sheila was astonished that Gerald had an affair with another person, she’s so furious she speaks sarcastically with Gerald; (with sharp sarcasm)’ of course not. You were wonderful you must have adored it Gerald.” You would think that Sheila’s and Gerald’s relationship would be tarnished after Gerald cheated on Sheila while he was spending time with her, but Sheila is understanding and forgiving towards Gerald and doesn’t take the matter any further than it being necessary. This again shows that Gerald learns nothing from this situation and would do it again given half a chance.
Sheila is very caring throughout the play she demonstrates this clearly by the way she speaks and acts to fellow colleagues and people she doesn’t even know “destroying herself so horribly and I’ve been so happy tonight. Oh I wish you hadn’t told me. What was she like? Quite young?” this shows that Sheila is very warm hearted character she once again shows interest and pity for a girl she doesn’t even know, Sheila in a way is opposite to her father; she doesn’t care about the business and the money stolen due to Gerald and Eva’s relationship, only cares about understanding what Eva felt like and feels it for her, as well as Sheila showing remorse, the audience also feel sympathetic as these sorts of situations are common in every day life.
Mrs Birling is a cold woman in total contrast to Sheila. Sheila who doesn’t want to get involved with people below her class of which they serve her as a worker, she doesn’t like people being complimented and everyone is pleased with the service except her; (reproachfully)”Arthur, your not suppose say such thing.”
The audience’s first impression is that mrs birling is a good women, whom only respects her family and the Crofts, no one else, she demonstrates that she is upper class compared to the servant, so she doesn’t want Arthur to even compliment lower working class, and is not in favour of Mr Birling complimenting the servant even Gerald is overwhelmed as the others are, and has a little gesture,
“Absolutely first class” and everyone seems to be respectful except Mrs Birling.
In one of the scenes Sheila ahs an insight knowledge that mrs birling does not have, because mrs birling is so spiteful, she demands that the father of Eva Smith’s child should have looked after her and should be publicly named and punished, she is so caught up in accusing the ‘husband’ she over looks what Sheila is trying to say and upsets her; “behave, you hysterical child” and says “EVA only has her self to blame”
And shows no remorse or understanding towards Eva Smith.
J.B. Priestly uses dramatic irony in the scene that Mr birling find out that Eric was actually the lover of Eva, dramatic irony we know about it before Mr Birling does in the play, J.B. Priestly does this to indicate to us clearly what Mr Birling’s attitude Is and her personality. J.B. Priestly wants his audience to actively participate in his play, and actively participate in changing and improving socialising he wants to make the audience challenge their own views about the class system, lower, middle and upper. Towards the end of the play when the Birling’s find out that the inspector was bogus Mrs Birling who was agitated by the inspector now is smiling above it claiming she felt he was an impostor.
Mrs Birling really puts her family reputation first by not letting her husband speak to low working class people she resents being around lower class people and truly is stuck up. Mrs Birling views social classes are that she is too good for and is high up in the league to even talk to social classes the way she has been bought up.
Mrs Birling is bossy toward Sheila demanding she’d be quite and not involved in the situation, you can summarise Mrs Birling’s character by proving she is smug, stuck up cold unforgiving hypocrite.
From what we read in the play, we assume the position of young working class was were very harsh and weren’t paid enough, and they went on strikes for higher pay bosses like Birling would sack them, this is what must have happened with all the bosses because only1% of the population was considered upper class so all company owners must have kept the labour cost down and buying prices were high.
In the play we learn the inspector’s view or the equal treatment, the inspector is a socialist so he makes himself heard by stating that if we don’t come together as a community and as one it will all end in blood and anguish and strongly suggests that they should change there tune. J.B. Priestly uses detective story to make people stop and think; and join together, to be a community and make the right decision of being a socialist, and makes you want to take part in society and respect one another.