How does John Priestley explore the growth of Sheila in the play‘

An Inspector calls?’ Analyse with ao1 and ao3

In J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls," the character of Sheila

Birling undergoes a significant transformation, moving away from
the conventional portrayal of an ingenue to a more responsible
and mature individual. Through careful analysis, this essay aims
to explore how Priestley presents Sheila's growth, both in terms
of her personal development and her contribution to the play's
central themes.

At the beginning of the play, Sheila is presented as a typical

young woman from a privileged background, conforming to the
stereotype of an ingenue. She is described as "a pretty girl in her
early twenties, very pleased with life," which suggests her
innocence and lack of awareness about the world beyond her
sheltered existence. Her initial engagement to Gerald Croft
further reinforces this image, as their relationship appears
superficial and devoid of any real substance. Sheila's
transformation begins with the arrival of the Inspector and the
revelation of her involvement in Eva Smith's suicide. As she
learns about her part in the young girl's tragic fate, her initial
shock turns into a growing sense of responsibility. Sheila realises
the impact her actions had on another person's life, marking the
beginning of her moral awakening. This shift is evident when she
exclaims, "But these girls aren't cheap labor, they're people,"
demonstrating her newfound understanding of social justice.
Priestley employs the character of the Inspector as a catalyst for
Sheila's growth. The Inspector's relentless questioning and
exposure of the Birling family's secrets force Sheila to confront
uncomfortable truths about herself and her family. The
Inspector's interrogations push Sheila to reevaluate her actions,
leading her to reject her former complacency and embrace a
more socially conscious perspective. As the play progresses,
Sheila's empathy and remorse deepen, contrasting starkly with
her initial self-absorption. Sheila's growth extends beyond her
personal development; she also serves as a mouthpiece for
Priestley's critique of societal hypocrisy. Through Sheila's
character, Priestley challenges the complacency of the upper-
class, exposing their moral bankruptcy and lack of accountability.
Sheila's honest and incisive questioning of her family members'
actions sheds light on their flawed morality, highlighting the need
for change and societal reform.

The character of the Inspector serves as a catalyst for Sheila's

growth. Through relentless questioning and the exposure of the
Birling family's secrets, the Inspector forces Sheila to confront
uncomfortable truths about herself and her family. His
interrogations push Sheila to reevaluate her actions, leading her
to reject her former complacency and embrace a more socially
conscious perspective. As the play progresses, Sheila's empathy
and remorse deepen, contrasting starkly with her initial self-
absorption. Sheila's transformation is also significant as it breaks
away from the stereotypical portrayal of the ingenue character.
Traditionally, ingenues are depicted as naive, passive, and lacking
agency. However, Sheila defies this stereotype by actively
engaging with the Inspector's investigation, seeking the truth,
and taking responsibility for her actions. By doing so, she
challenges the limitations placed upon her as a young woman in
a patriarchal society, asserting her independence and agency.
Through Sheila's character arc in "An Inspector Calls," Priestley
skilfully explores the growth of a seemingly naive and privileged
young woman into a responsible and socially conscious
individual. Sheila's journey from innocence to awareness serves
as a microcosm of the play's larger critique of social inequality
and hypocrisy. By breaking free from the confines of the ingenue
stereotype, Sheila embodies Priestley's call for personal
accountability and societal transformation. Her transformation
not only adds depth to the play's narrative but also serves as a
reminder of the potential for personal growth and collective
change in the face of social injustice. Priestley's portrayal of
Sheila encourages the audience to reflect on their own roles in
society and challenges them to question the status quo. One of
the key aspects of Sheila's growth lies in her heightened sense of
responsibility. Initially, she is depicted as a carefree young
woman, blissfully unaware of the consequences of her actions.
However, as the Inspector exposes the truth behind Eva Smith's
tragic fate, Sheila becomes increasingly aware of the impact her
actions can have on others. This newfound awareness prompts
her to reevaluate her behaviour and assume responsibility for
her role in Eva's demise. Sheila's realisation that "these girls
aren't cheap labour, they're people" signifies her
acknowledgement of the value of human life and the need for
empathy and compassion.

Furthermore, Sheila's growth is intimately tied to her rejection of

societal expectations and the conventional role assigned to
women of her class and era. As an ingenue, she is initially
presented as a passive and decorative figure, merely an
accessory to her fiancée, Gerald. However, her transformation
breaks free from these limitations. Sheila actively engages with
the Inspector's investigation, relentlessly seeking the truth and
challenging her family's self-serving narratives. By doing so, she
asserts her agency and refuses to be confined by the
expectations imposed upon her as a young woman. In this way,
Priestley presents Sheila as a symbol of resistance against gender
stereotypes and a catalyst for change.
In addition to Sheila's personal growth, her character serves a
larger purpose within the play's social critique. Through her
piercing questions and insightful observations, she exposes the
hypocrisy and moral bankruptcy of the upper-class society
represented by her family. Sheila's honest and unapologetic
condemnation of her family's actions unveils the inherent flaws
in their values and highlights the urgent need for social reform. In
this sense, she becomes a voice of conscience, challenging the
audience to reflect on their own complicity in perpetuating social
injustice.

It is worth considering the broader context in which Priestley

wrote "An Inspector Calls." The play premiered in 1945,
immediately after the end of World War II. The devastating
effects of the war and the subsequent societal changes were still
fresh in people's minds. Priestley's portrayal of Sheila's growth
can be seen as a reflection of the post-war era, where the need
for collective responsibility and social reform was keenly felt.
Sheila's transformation serves as a call to action, urging the
audience to recognise their role in shaping a more just and
equitable society. To fully understand Priestley's exploration of
Sheila's growth, it is important to consider the context in which
"An Inspector Calls" was written. The play in a period marked by
significant social, political, and economic upheaval. Priestley, a
socialist, used the play as a vehicle to critique the inequalities
and injustices prevalent in society at the time. In this context,
Sheila's transformation can be seen as a metaphor for the need
for personal and collective responsibility in shaping a more just
society. Priestley's portrayal of Sheila's growth challenges the
complacency and indifference of the privileged class, highlighting
the importance of empathy and social awareness. By presenting
Sheila's evolution as a rejection of her initial stereotypical role as
an ingenue, Priestley also challenges traditional gender norms
and emphasizes the agency and potential for growth within
women. Furthermore, the play can be viewed through a post-war
lens, with Sheila's transformation symbolizing the necessary
change and introspection required after the devastation of the
war. The Inspector's role as an agent of truth and justice reflects
a collective need for accountability and a rejection of past
mistakes.

In conclusion, John Priestley skilfully explores the growth of

Sheila in "An Inspector Calls" through her development of
responsibility and her departure from the stereotype of an
ingenue. Sheila's journey from ignorance to awareness, her
rejection of societal expectations, and her role in unveiling
hypocrisy contribute to the play's overarching themes of social
critique and personal accountability. By breaking free from the
confines of traditional gender roles, Sheila becomes a symbol of
empowerment and agency. Ultimately, Priestley's portrayal of
Sheila's growth serves as a powerful reminder of the potential
for individual transformation and collective change in the face of
societal in justice.