Sheila and Mrs. Birling of J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls

Sheila and Mrs. Birling of J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls

In my opinion, the two characters with the most contradictory ideas,

attitudes and responses throughout the whole novel are Mrs.Birling and

Sheila, Mrs.Birling daughter.

At the beginning of the play the first descriptions of Sheila and

Mrs.Birling are different. They have different opinions on importance

and life. After the Inspector arrives both women react in a different

way to the news; one is distressed and the other unfazed. They seem

to be on diverging terms with each other. Mainly in the way each

confess their connections with Eva Smith and the way they behave after

the Inspector leaves. At the beginning of Act 1, Sheila is a very

different person from the character at the end of Act 3. She has just

got engaged to Gerald Croft, and is very excited about her future. She

can only think of herself, and has no other worries. As the play

begins the home is described as heavily comfortable but not cosy and

homelike. This reflects the mother, Mrs.Birling, who is a rather cold

woman and her husband's social superior, whereas Sheila is a pretty

girl who is rather pleased with her life. For example, when the

Inspector arrives, Mrs.Birling grandly says to him, “My husband was

Lord Mayor”. Sheila does not follow her mother's ways because she

decides to give back her engagement ring to Gerald. Even when he

tries to give it back she refuses. Gerald is Sheila's social superior

but she seems to be a person who would only marry for love and not for

money or status. On the other hand I think that Mrs.Birling would

marry for power and money.

Sheila’s whole outlook on life is very positive. Everything is perfect

for her, and she has never suffered lack of money. She is somewhat

spoiled and expects everything to go right for her.

Another example of contradiction is the change in language. Throughout

the play Mrs.Birling language does not change at all she continually