Summary
Summary Revision notes on Sybil and Sheila Birling
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HISTORICAL CONTEXT:Socialists- Those who advocate for fairness.
Capitalist- People who desire wealth and power.
1912- When the play is set.
1945- When the play was written. During this era there was a desire for change, and JB
Priestly took advantage of this.
Women- In this era women were at the bottom of the social climax, they had no voice or right.
Their role was to obey their husbands.
Upper Class- Often looked down upon the lower class. Frequently abused their power.
SYNOPSIS:
An Inspector Calls is a play which was written by the author J.B
Priestly. It contains three acts and is set in an English town
called Bromerly. The Birling household hosts a dinner to
celebrate the engagement of Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft.
Throughout the first act the family are seemingly happy,
however once the inspector arrives the atmosphere becomes
very tense. It is revealed that a young girl named Ava Smith
committed suicide. The Inspector questions the family members
about their involvement with the woman. As the play progresses
the families connection to her death is exposed, revealing key
themes, such as, the abuse of power.
Characters: KEY THEMES:
Eva Smith Abuse of Power
Inspector Goole Capitalism
Sheila Birling Socialism
Gerald Croft Gender
Sybil Birling Responsibility
Arthur Birling Age
Eric Birling Wealth and Power
Edna Influence
, KEY WORDS TO DESCRIBE SHEILA: Relationship to other Characters:
Childish Daughter of Sybil and Arthur Birling.
Immature
Materialistic Engaged to Gerald Croft
Wealthy Sister of Eric Birling .
Spoilt
Confident
Mature-Act Two
Socialist- Act Two
At the start of the play: By the end of the play:
Vain, she resents Eva for being more Understands the flaws of society
attractive than her.
Acknowledges her responsibility
Accepting of how the society it, doesn't
challenge her parents prejudice views Becomes a socialist
Childish and Immature Attempts to educate her parents
Materialistic Mature
Capitalist
Sheila's role in the death of Eva Smith.
Eva Smith worked in a dress shop called Milwards where Sheila Birling
was a regular customer. Sheila went to try on a dress, however, when it
didn't suit her she became embarrassed and infuriated. She targeted her
anger towards Eva Smith, claiming that she was laughing at her, and
threatened to shut down her account with the shop if they didn't fire
Eva. This is an example of misused power. Sheila knew she was the one
with the most power in this situation, and used it to target Eva.
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