In this quote, one can clearly see her attitude changing, her confident, optimistic attitude is changed, she eventually realises that there is no point in trying to hide the facts from the Inspector, her parents obvious lying taints the faith that she has for her family although Sheila believes it is wrong to lie to the inspector the parents are ignorant of this fact. This quote shows that the family was fine before the Inspector came into their lives and pointed out their faults.
As the questioning continues, Sheila’s character changes dramatically into an almost hysterical state:
“(laughs rather hysterically) Why- you fool- he knows. Of course he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we don’t know yet. You’ll see. You’ll see.” (Act One, p.26)
The parents persistent knowing that they will always have the better of Inspector Goole by lying and changing the facts starts to diminish her happiness:
“(rather wildly, with laugh) No, he’s giving us the rope – so that we’ll hang ourselves…its no use, you’re wasting time.” (Act two, p.33)
These quotes really show that her attitude and personality is completely contradictorily to those of her cold-blooded parents she is a warm, honest and attractive character.
She contrasts sharply with her parents with her honest and realistic way she regards things:
“But we must stop these silly pretences” – (Act Two, p.32)
This sort of honesty seems to really shock Mr. and Mrs. Birling due to the fact that they prefer to live in a world that shielded unpleasant realities (Such as Eva Smith’s death).
Sheila’s sympathy is emphasised when she genuinely expressed grief to the acknowledgment of Eva Smith’s death (Especially knowing that she one of the reasons of her death and blames herself as really responsible) in spite of the fact that she never in her life actually considered the conditions of the workers. Her vanity and immaturity through jealousy (Due to the fact that Eva is more beautiful than Sheila) drove Eva smith out of work, she abused her powers as the daughter of a wealthy businessman and lead her to thing again on her wrong actions:
“Well, he inspected us all right. And don’t let’s start dodging and pretending now. Between us we drove that girl to commit suicide” – (Act three, p.66)
This quote really emphasised her remorse for Eva smith, and teaches her how to properly behave, this revelation came from the inspector and it taught her to never repeat such a crime. Not only is she prepared to admit her mistakes, but she is also keen on changing her behaviour for the good and learns of her responsibility to others which are less fortunate than her. Although Sheila found a revelation she is infuriated at the fact that her parents seem to be incapable in learning the moral lessons that the inspector is trying to teach:
“I tell you- Whoever that inspector was, it was anything nut a joke. You know it then. You began to learn something. And now you’ve stopped you’re ready to go on in the same old way” (Act Three, p.71)
This quote really shows the reader how socially inadequate her parents are and their unwillingness to learn in contrast to Sheila this sheds new unfavourable light on the parents and ultimately their relationship with one another. As the play progresses the reader will notice Sheila’s personality and attitude towards life maturing with her new found way of thinking taught by the Inspector:
“It’s the only time I’ve ever done anything like that, and I’ll never, never do it again to anybody. I’ve noticed them giving me a sort of look sometimes at Milwards” (Act One, p.24-25)
In this quote the line (I’ve noticed them giving me a sort of look sometimes at Milwards) shows her insecurity and naivety but with the Inspectors moral teachings Sheila’s learns from this mistake and becomes an all round better person. And so we all assume that her nature won’t be entirely bad, she is capable of learning new things. She has the drive, and willingness to learn unlike her parents who did not show an ounce of regret to this matter.
Her sympathy is again emphasised in this quote:
“Was that her name? Eva Smith…I think it was a mean thing to do. Perhaps that spoiled everything for her…But these girls aren’t cheap labour- they’re people” (Act one, p.19)
Sheila is genuinely a good character with a lot of potential to become a great person in contrast to her cold, socially inadequate parents. Although at times she expresses insecurity and cruelty, this sort of unpleasant behaviour is short lived by the moral teachings of The Inspector. This shows that Sheila has willingness to learn, in this play she eventually learns that her parents are incapable of learning Inspector Gooles moral teachings and show no remorse to Eva Smith’s death. She learns that she is a very sensitive character and does actions that she will regret for the rest of her life. Sheila’s character is Priestley’s way of showing that not all humans are like Mr. and Mrs. Birling most humans have a good side and hopes that one day people will develop a social consciousness. After all we are all members of the same body.
