The stage directions when Sheila is 'half serious, half playful' suggests that the actress says this line seriously and playfully as this is Priestley's dramatic intention. This suggests that Sheila's character, although appearing cheerful, is actually sensible. The quote also suggests that she holds grudges as she still holds this knowledge from 'last summer' against her soon to be husband. The first of many hints that all is not as perfect as it seems, in this case a hint that Gerald might be hiding things. Sheila has genuine concerns about the relationship and actions but she covers this with a flirtatious and jestful tone. Such hints builds tension in the audience and drive the play forward; foreshadows the conflict that is to come. Sorry - I - well, I've suddenly realized - taken it in properly - that's she's dead." - Gerald liked and cared for Eva It's a free country" - it might be 'free' for someone who has money and power, however, Eva Smith had neither. After this she tells the inspector that the one to blame is the father of the child (not knowing it is Eric):

startled) What?""(pulling himself together) D'you mind if I give myself a drink, Sheila?"- The slang "D'you" shows his distress as being upper class he wouldn't normally say that. I can't help thinking about this girl - destroying herself so horribly." Sheila is concerned and upset for Eva, despite not knowing her. Shows empathy. Sometimes there isn't as much difference as you think." What inspector says in response to Gerald's: "We're respectable citizens and not criminals."

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The fact that Gerald chose the 'ring' is equally symbolic of his dominance within the relationship. A ring is a symbol of not only love, but a covenant between two parties- it is supposed to be emblematic of a mutual agreement between two people. Conversely, since Gerald had the final say on which ring he presents to Sheila as a supposed token of their love, this implies that their relationship isn't reciprocal in nature, but is in fact controlled entirely by Gerald. Because your not the kind of father a chap could go to when he's in trouble." - Eric. -The quote from Eric, his own son, highlights how Birling is closed off from his own children, and is stubborn in his own beliefs. I gather there's a very good chance of knighthood" - Right from the start of the play, it is established that Birling is constantly thinking about his social class. He feels that attaining a knighthood would further progress him into the Gentry class. Mrs Birling doesn't say much throughout the whole play, except when she is being interrogated. When she is being interrogated, we find out her attitudes towards class and privilege. In today's talk I shall analyse a segment of 40 lines from An Inspector Calls. These lines appear from Mrs Birling's quote (pg. 200) “I'm sorry she c...

The verb 'wanted' creates a sense of ownership and entitlement- it is almost as though he has a right to make Sheila's decisions for her, as her husband to be. This has been done intentionally by Priestley to represent the way in which women were treated during Edwardian England- their sole purpose was to merely support their husbands, but never by necessarily offering their own opinion or advice.The fact that Gerald now has the ability to make decisions for Sheila perhaps implies that she has become nothing more than a possession that Gerald is free to manipulate as he pleases. The play ‘An Inspector Calls’, was written in 1945 by writer J.B Priestley. Its story revolves around a middle-class family called the Birlings, whom are cel... Inspector call's is a thought provoking play written by J.B Priestly it is set in the 1912. The play is about a family called the Birlings who h...Gerald Croft was born into a privileged family. His father, Sir George Croft is the owner of Crofts Limited. Before the his interrogation, Gerald cares mostly for his relationship with the Birlings, as he thinks his is not involved with the Eva Smith case. As she finds out it is Eric who was "Silly and wild and drinking too much" (showing her disconnect from Eric), she starts to break down, possibly giving the reader some sympathy for her:

Before the play, she is described as being very innocent and sheltered from the outside world, cares a lot about looks: "Oh - it's wonderful! Look - Mummy - isn't it a beauty?" Broken speech shows how excited she is for a ring. When it's Eric's turn to be questioned, we already know that Eric was the father or Eva's child. During the interrogation we find out that Eric had used Eva as a thing and even raped her, however, he is embarrassed in front of his family and uses euphemisms to excuse his behaviour: We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other." Short sentences emphasise the importance of each point. Tricolon.The play an ‘inspector calls’ divulges the truth and teaches the moral message about responsibility, warning the consequences if the message is not heeded. ... Just keep quiet, Eric.", "Look - just keep out of this." Birling is contently trying to undermine Eric opinions and shove them away, as he thinks his opinion is the correct one, portentous. Priestley revealing the ring itself serves as situational irony. A circle has no beginning or end and is therefore a symbol of infinity. It is endless, eternal, just the way love should be. It is a symbol of devotion and an agreement between two parties to love and cherish one another for the rest of their days; they will be committed to one another. Unbeknownst to the audience, this vow has already been broken due to Gerald's infidelity. She offers hope for the future and Priestley uses Sheila as an example of people's changing attitudes towards those less fortunate than themselves. She is sympathetic towards Eva and other girls in her position, recognising that they were "not just cheap labour but people". She accepts that her actions impacted on Eva's life and that she cannot disconnect her actions from the effects these have on others. She recognises and understands the Inspector's message that we are all collectively responsible for all that happens in the world: 'we are members of one body. We are responsible for eachother'. At times she acts as almost an assistant to the Inspector, in that she supports his criticism of the other characters, becoming his mouthpiece when he has left the stage. The first evident reference to the fact that the truth has been obscured from the view of Sheila is in her name which is a near homophone for "Shield her" perhaps suggesting that the Birling family believe that she requires protection. Moreover, Sheila's name stems from the Gaelic form of Cecilia which means 'blind'. On an explicit level, this could be in the form of protection from the rest of the world because women at the time were seen to be weaker than men and it was widely believed that they were unable to look after themselves so should would need to be shielded.