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Although Sheila figures out that Inspector Goole was probably not a real police inspector, she does not dismiss the outcome of his questioning. Even if Eva Smith herself wasn’t real, Sheila encourages her family to realise that they still did these bad things to someone.
Priestley portrays Sheila as accepting of her role in Eva’s death, she refuses to make excuses for behaviour (as Mr and Mrs Birling did). The personal reflection that Sheila sees in Eva causes her to become unable to dismiss her role in the chain of events, which led to Eva’s suicide.
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Sheila Birling, Quotes + Notes. One of the youngest in the Birling household. Yet, Sheila Birling is key to this play. But before we can understand her key quotes, we must analyse her character.
Sheila Birling is the daughter of Arthur and Sybil Birling, and initially appears to be shallow and materialistic. However, she quickly becomes a voice of morality and empathy, questioning the actions of her family and expressing genuine remorse for her own misdeeds.
Act One - 'Why-you fool- he knows. Of course he knows.' - Sheila is becoming more confident in herself and is defiant against Gerald when he tries to tell her what to do, yet again. Act One- '(she looks at him almost in triumph. He looks crushed)' - Shows that Sheila is now able to manipulate Gerald and take a 'one up' against him.
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Sheila is the conscience of the Birling family. She realizes very soon after the Inspector’s arrival that her anger at Milward’s resulted in Eva/Daisy’s dismissal, and that, because Eva/Daisy went on to commit suicide, Sheila played a role in her demise.
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The daughter of Mr. Birling and Mrs. Birling, Sheila is a young woman in her early twenties who is generally excited about life and is engaged to Gerald Croft. She is most upset by the news of the girl’s suicide, and expresses the most remorse among the Birling's for her involvement in it.
