An Inspector Calls - Examining the Role of Sheila After the Inspector h

An Inspector Calls - Examining the Role of Sheila After the Inspector has Left Examining the Role of Sheila After the Inspector has Left An Inspector Calls is a play that was written by J.B. Priestley in 1945 and is set in 1912, focusing on a respectable upper class family; the Birlings. 'Inspector Goole' interrupts a joyful engagement celebration party between Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft, and the Inspector announces the horrifying news that, "Two hours ago a young woman died in the Infirmary. She'd been taken there because she'd swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant." The characters react in extremely different ways to this information and Sheila emerges a very strong and conscientious character. We begin to discover the hidden depths behind each character's outer appearance as the play continues. We start to find out each family member's involvement with Eva Smith's horrendous suicide as the Inspector interrogates them, trying to make them feel guilty and responsible for her tragic death. During the play, some characters show feelings of guilt and remorse but others simply dismiss the death completely. The play conveys a very strong message that we have the power to change other people's lives and we should all care and look out for each other. Throughout this essay I am going to be examining the role of Sheila, subsequent to the Inspector's departure. Sheila and Eric, the younger generation, have opinions that totally contrast their mother and father's and they particularly get a chance to show their feelings following the Inspector's visit. Mr Birling gets very irate and angry and is exceptionally quick to blame his son, Eric, for the whole incident and disruption. He complains, "Yo... ...summarises their behaviour throughout the play. Sheila's mature attitude was shown throughout the play, and her guilt and willingness to learn from her mistakes were also displayed. Sheila came through as a caring and thoughtful character and also an intelligent and realistic girl. Eric generally followed his sister, who was a powerful character with moral thoughts, but their views contrasted them of the older generation. Mr and Mrs Birling and Gerald all acted irresponsibly, behaved immaturely and acted insensibly. Sheila did put forward her feelings, but her parents wouldn't listen to them or simply dismissed of them. Sheila knew what was the right thing to do, but unfortunately her parents wouldn't listen to her. If the whole family had acted similarly to Sheila, the outcome would have most probably been contrary of the unfortunate ending in the play.