The character of Sheila Birling is used to highlight aspects of British society in the early 20th century according to a 5-paragraph plan for an essay on An Inspector Calls. Sheila progresses from representing the expectations of upper class women at the start of the play to embracing more independent views that reflect societal changes occurring in 1912. The plan analyzes 5 key moments for Sheila that demonstrate the class divisions, gender roles, and hypocrisy within the upper class as well as how she begins to challenge these social norms over the course of the play.

1. Homework by Tuesday 5th
• Continue reading ‘AIC’ – 20 mins every night
• Complete mindmap on theme of responsibility– every section needs: ideas/3
quotes/something about 1912

3. Possible Essay Question
• Show how J.B. Priestley uses the character of …………. to
highlight aspects of British society in the early 20th century.

4. Plan
• 5 adjectives you would use to sum up that character in your essay
• 5 key moments for that character – in chronological order – with quotes
• Link each moment to something the character shows about 1912 society

5. Superior; snobbish; uncaring; cruel; irresponsible
Key Moments What she shows about 1912
Engagement meal
-Telling Arthur off for complimenting the cook
“Arthur you’re not supposed to…”
-Her attitude to hearing about Eva’s death “Girls
of that class”
Highlights the class divisions in society at
the time.
Talking with the family about her role within the
family – trying to make Sheila adopt a similar role;
trying to keep Arthur in line at the meal; tries to
intimidate the Inspector
Represents the typical upper class
woman/wife of 1912 who was very aware of
how she and her family should behave
(keeping up a respectable image).
Reacting to news about Joe Meggarty, Gerald and
Eric
Represents the fact that upper class women
were protected from OR blind to some
things going on in society
Confession – role in the Charity Highlights the way the rich abused power
over the poor and showed no responsibility
to them.
Ending - reaction to Inspector being a fake and
being grateful to Gerald
Represents upper class concern with status
and reputation.

6. • 5 key moments?
Each key moment needs:
• 3-4 quotes
• Explanation of how she comes across
• What she shows about 1912 society
In the exam
you would
have 5mins to
plan…

7. Ideas?
1. Engagement meal –
2. Confession -
3. Relationship with Gerald -
4. Becoming more defiant/outspoken -
5. Ending -

8. Show how Priestley uses Gerald to highlight
some aspects of society. [in your books]
• Start with an overview – what is Gerald like at the start? How does he
change?
• One paragraph per key moment – what is he like here? Use 3 quotes to back
up your ideas and explain them carefully. What does he show about society?

9. • At the start she is represents the expectations of young women at the time – to
respect and obey parents; to leave the room with her to allow the men to talk.
• Represents how upper class women were expected to marry well even if not for
love and turn a blind eye to their husband’s wrongdoings.
• Highlights upper class women’s concern with image and material things.
• Shows how rich abused power over the poor.
• However, Sheila changes throughout the play, therefore representing the change
that started in society in 1912 and was accelerated after the war. She starts the
play as an obedient child but as the play progresses she shows an independence
and open-mindedness which reflects the changes happening in society at the
time.

10. • Represents a typical capitalist businessman – concerned with
profit. Represents the view of the upper class - every man for
himself.
• Highlights the way the rich abused power over the poor and
showed no responsibility towards them.
• Represents upper class concern with status and reputation,
and avoiding scandal.
• Represents a stern parent who expected his children to follow
his instructions and do what he said.
• Shows how the upper classes wanted society to remain the
same and did not believe in change.

11. • At the start Eric represents a stereotypical son of wealthy
families – leading a life of luxury, no direction as did not have
to work, drinking, frequenting the Palace Bar, picking up
prostitutes. Had no independent means – had to steal money
when he needed it.
• Represents the way upper class men took advantage of lower
class women and treated them as entertainment.
• Represents the hypocrisy of the upper class men – outward
respectability but actions were far from respectable.
• By the end - like Sheila - he also reflects the change in views
in society. He challenges the authority of his parents just like
the working classes were starting to challenge things in society.

12. • As an upper class male at the start of 21st century Gerald thought he had licence
to do as he pleased in his treatment of Sheila and Eva.
• Represents male attitudes to women – authority e.g. he chose the ring. Women
were expected to do their husband’s bidding. He tries to give the ring back at the
end and expects Sheila to take it.
• Represents the hypocrisy of the upper class men – outward respectability but
actions were far from respectable. He is polite and supports his host but
underneath there is another side.
• Represents the class snobbery – his parents did not attend the party with the
hint that they think Sheila is not good enough for him. This shows snobbery
existed within the upper classes – they were still not accepting of people who
had made their money in a different way. The Crofts are Lord and Lady – their
business is bigger than Birlings.
• Represents the way upper class men took advantage of lower class women and
treated them as entertainment.
• Like Birling, Gerald refuses to accept most responsibility – concerned with his
own status and reputation to the very end, and that of the family he is marrying
into.
• Shows SOME change – not as marked as Sheila and Birling. Taking on more
relaxed attitudes of the time but not to the same extent as Sheila and Eric.

13. • Represents everything that was changing in society at the time and within the
Birling family he challenges everything that had been the ‘norm’, for example:
• class system;
• lack of social responsibility;
• abuse of power;
• concentration of wealth in the hands of a few at the expense of the majority;
• hypocrisy and narrow mindedness of upper classes.
• Highlights all the social injustices of the time – low wages of a factory worker,
fact they could be sacked at will and treated as disposable items;
• hypocrisy of upper class men who frequented Palace Bar;
• hypocrisy of upper class women who chaired charity groups but refused to
give out charity.

14. • Represents the way that lower class workers were treated – lack of
rights, low wages, job insecurity, no Welfare System.
• Embodies how lower class women were treated- as a commodity to be
sacked at will. Reminds us of the abuse of power between the classes.
• Everything that happens to her shows the desperate situation of lower
classes – factory worker, shop girl, forced to go into the Palace bar
when she fell on hard times; appealed for charity but didn’t get it.
• Stands up to Birling – represents the growing voice of women and
working classes at the time.
• Represents all lower class working women – doesn’t matter whether
she’s Eva Smith or Daisy Renton [remember the Inspector’s words:
‘Eva Smiths and John Smiths’]. She represents how all working class
women were treated.