10. Sample Response (Top Grade)
Question:
How does Priestley use the character of Sheila to explore important ideas in An Inspector Calls?
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley uses Sheila Birling to explore themes of social responsibility, generational change, and moral awareness. Through Sheila’s transformation from a naive, privileged young woman to someone who accepts full accountability for her actions, Priestley highlights the possibility of social progress if individuals are willing to learn and change.
At the start of the play, Sheila embodies the superficiality and self-absorption of her privileged upbringing. Priestley uses her excitement over her engagement and her obsession with “pretty clothes” to show how disconnected she is from the realities of those less fortunate. Her casual jealousy, leading to Eva Smith’s dismissal from Milward’s, is shown as an abuse of social and economic power. Through this, Priestley criticizes how the upper classes often harm others without even realizing it, simply because they have the means to do so.
However, Sheila’s reaction to the Inspector’s revelations marks the beginning of her transformation. Unlike her parents, she accepts blame almost immediately, saying, “I know I’m to blame—and I’m desperately sorry.” Priestley uses Sheila’s guilt and growing maturity to emphasize that real change is only possible when people confront their wrongdoings honestly. Her emotional responses contrast sharply with her parents’ defensiveness, highlighting the generational divide Priestley believes is crucial for societal reform.
By the end of the play, Sheila becomes Priestley’s voice for hope and change. She challenges her parents’ attempts to dismiss the Inspector’s warnings, insisting, “You’re just beginning to pretend all over again.” This shows that Sheila has internalized the Inspector’s message of collective responsibility. Priestley uses her character development to argue that the younger generation must reject selfishness and embrace a more compassionate, socially conscious future.
Ultimately, through Sheila’s journey from ignorance to awareness, Priestley presents the optimistic idea that society can change for the better — but only if individuals, especially the young, are willing to take responsibility for their actions and recognize their interconnectedness with others.
🏆 Why This is a Strong Model Response
| Element | Why It’s Effective |
| AO1 (Understanding) | Shows clear understanding of Sheila’s development and the play’s message. |
| AO2 (Language/Structure) | Discusses Priestley’s use of language (e.g., Sheila’s quotes showing guilt and growth). |
| AO3 (Context) | Aware of historical/social context: class divisions, generational change post-WWII. |
| Quotes | Short, well-chosen, embedded quotes. |
| Structure | Smooth flow: introduction → early Sheila → change → final role → overall message. |
| Critical Insight | Recognizes Sheila as a symbol of hope and change, not just a character. |
✅ This response would confidently achieve a Grade 8–9 (top level) under Edexcel’s marking criteria!