AN INSPECTOR

CALLS
Sheila and The Birling’s
Relationship
8
 YOUR TITLE: Sheila and The Birling’s Relationship
Think back to the start of the play.

Which of these words could be used to

describe Sheila and her parents’
relationship? Make a note in your books.
Caring Infantilising Meaningful Transactional Spoilt Edwardian

Deferential Controlling Modern Equal Unequal Materialistic

Understanding Toxic Loving Flawed Affectionate Dutiful

Challenge: can you think of any specific examples from the start of the play where these
characteristics are portrayed? Why do you think Priestley has created their relationship like
this?
 THE BIG QUESTIONS AND KEY VOCABULARY

How is Sheila’s relationship with her parents

presented at the start of the play?

Why has Priestley chosen to present the

Key Vocabulary: relationship like this?
Impulsive
Deferential
Materialistic
Infantilised
Edwardian
YOUR TASK: analysing language from the start of Act 1
Consider each key quotation
from the start of Act 1.

What does it suggest about

Sheila’s relationship with her
parents?

Think carefully about the

implications of the language
chosen and how this would
impact an audience and
convey Priestley’s message.
Challenge: what are the audience supposed to
immediately understand about this relationship? Why is it
important to set it out like this? Consider what happens by
the end of the play?
 THE BIG QUESTIONS AND KEY VOCABULARY
How is Sheila’s relationship with her parents presented at the start of
the play?

Why has Priestley chosen to present the relationship like this?

Write a short paragraph that answers the two key questions above.
Key Vocabulary:
Impulsive Need help getting started?
Deferential
Priestley presents Sheila’s relationship with her parents as………. at the start of the play
Materialistic to convey his view that……..
Infantilised
Edwardian Sheila’s relationship with her parents is………