We see an example of this arrogance towards Gerald when she says ‘Go on Gerald – just you object!’, and the stage directions that it should be said with mock aggressiveness. This is one example of the many things that she says to Gerald with stage directions of such a manner. She doesn’t seem to say anything normally but has some sort of sarcastic tone to say it in when she is talking to Gerald. When the inspector comes, Sheila is very honest and open about everything that she did wrong and is genuinely apologetic about everything that she has done to contribute to the death of Eva Smith but she doesn’t want to take all the blame so she is very persistent that everyone admits to their involvement to the death of Eva Smith. She doesn’t want all the blame on her so she insists that the rest of the family says what they have done so she doesn’t feel so bad because they also ‘helped to kill this girl’ as Gerald says.
How does Priestly transform Sheila Birling’s character from being unsympathetic to sympathetic? This question is asking you to analyse and describe Sheila Birling’s character and the changes throughout the play. Priestly portrays Sheila Birling as a ‘half serious, half playful’ character in the stage directions. As the audience witness her character within the play they intend to think of Shelia as a childish yet responsible woman. During act 1 the audience recognise one of Sheila’s characteristics by her use of careless language.
Not bad lookin’ for what they are, you know” by responding with “I wouldn’t care for them” (2151). With that she can smoothly reaffirm her belief that the freaks, and any who would consort with them, are below her. This means even more here since Leota put out the opinion that the pygmies aren’t all that bad looking. By dismissing them the way Mrs. Fletcher did she causes Leota’s sense of who is attractive to be highly questionable. The intense rivalry between the two women reveals itself when they engage in little spats of one-upmanship.
Lilly is in a society that favours the rich and disregards the poor as scum which just amplifies her misfortune. The play write continues to use Lily to symbolise what is wrong with such a grotesque system. Although skinner may also show colours of this Lilly is its case in point. This is not to say that Lily is just a stereotype. Her loveable humanity comes through in every scene and she is convincingly real, poor grammar tippling and all.
She is only addressed as “Curley’s Wife” – her real name is never said. This has strong suggestions that women at this time were men’s possessions, as if they were used merely as objects, part of their property and didn’t have the same rights as they did – women are inferior. The phrase “I don’t know why I can’t talk to you. I ain’t doin’ no harm to you” could me shadowing how women are simply seen as either virgins or whores. Curley’s wife is portrayed as being a whore – but this is only due to the way she dresses, her provocative ways and the way she acts around men, as if she is aware of her femininity.
Coming to the end of the story, Sammy had become completely infatuated with Queenie. She was placed on a pedestal in Sammy’s mind. Irony becomes apparent in Sammy’s act to stand up for the girls when manager, Lengel reprimands them for their inappropriate attire, “The girls, and who'd blame them, are in a hurry to get out, so I say "I quit" to Lengel quick enough for them to hear, hoping they'll stop and watch me, their unsuspected hero.”
She was in control of her actions at that time. She chose to laugh at Sheila and make her feel unsatisfied and uncomfortable about the clothing. Eva should have prepared to lose her job after insulting a customer, who had the power to sack her once again. The relationship between Gerald and Eva first started off friendly, as Gerald felt sorry for her because she was penniless. But, it was her fault in
Priestley presents us with the idea that Mr Birling was disgusted with such an idea. He is accustomed to only respecting those in his social class and those in the social classes above him. The use of the word ‘hive’ illustrates an image of people who are impassable. Priestley presents to the audience that people such as Birling act in a way which only causes suffering to lower classes. Mrs Birling is clearly aware of class distinctions and she never forgets 'Girls of that class'.
I believe Sheila is the most important character. In the beginning of the play, Priestly portrays her as a young beautiful lady with a rather selfish and arrogant nature - like her farther. After the inspector explains what's happened and how Eva Smith dies she shows an empathetic side of her personality. Sheila is devastated after hearing the effect of her selfish act. The inspector shows another side to Sheila Birlings' character, her gentle side.
The whole poems started during the time woman were tending to stay quite. She wrote the poem to express her opinion of a female’s voice in the society. She speaks in a worthless tone. In her view women were not different than men. Bradstreet also shows identity for the Puritan men that criticize her work because men had more talent and skill, which come in handy in the society, but she sees that it’s unfair.