Sheila in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls’

Sheila in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls’

Sheila, is one of the more sympathetic characters in contrast to the

other members of the Birling family she also has the most conscience

compared to any of the characters in the book. Sheila is the daughter

of Arthur Birling one of the most wealthiest business of the area

(Brumly). Sheila is a relatively observant and perceptive character

who seems to be the first to notice that the inspector is no ordinary

police man on official duty. With this acknowledgment she believes

that the inspector has an almost supernatural Omniscience.

At the start of the play she was described as a girl who is very

pleased with life and rather excited and is very optimistic on the

notion of marrying Gerald as well as being attractive, and young.

Sheila’s attitude towards the inspector is very different compared to

the other characters in the play. The moment the inspector walks into

the house she feels a very strong vibe coming from the Inspector, and

once the Inspector started questioning Mr. and Mrs. Birling she begins

to feel uneasy:

“You see, I feel you’re beginning all wrong. And I’m afraid you’ll say

something or do something that you’ll be sorry for afterwards…We

started like that – so confident, so pleased with ourselves until he

began asking us questions” (Act two, p. 29-30)

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.