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Year 11
AQA

Sheila and changing attitudes toward gender and class in 'An Inspector Calls'

I can explain how Sheila's character development could reflect changing attitudes towards gender and class expectations.

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Year 11
AQA

Sheila and changing attitudes toward gender and class in 'An Inspector Calls'

I can explain how Sheila's character development could reflect changing attitudes towards gender and class expectations.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Priestley initially presents Sheila as naive and entitled.
  2. Other characters infantilise Sheila and try to protect her from the truth
  3. The treatment of Sheila conforms to the gender expectations of Edwardian society.
  4. Sheila's journey in the play leads her to challenge and defy societal expectations.
  5. Sheila arguably begins to subvert the traditional expectations of class and gender by the end of the play.

Keywords

  • Infantilise - treat (someone) like a child or in a way which denies their maturity in age or experience

  • Entitled - believing oneself to be inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment

  • Defiance - behaviour in which you refuse to obey someone or something

  • Optimism - the quality of being full of hope and emphasising the good parts of a situation

  • Subvert - the act of challenging or going against a stereotype or convention

Common misconception

Sheila’s transformation at the end of the play is entirely optimistic, showing that she has completely embraced responsibility and will lead a future free from societal inequality.

While Sheila's growth is significant, her awareness is limited and she’s still part of the system she criticises. Priestley uses her character to show potential for change, but also highlights the ongoing challenges of inequality.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Sheila and changing attitudes toward gender and class in 'An Inspector Calls', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

It might be useful to remind students of the societal expectations and gender stereotypes present in Edwardian society, if this has not been explored in a recent lesson.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley, Heinemann 2014 edition.

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Starting with the first, put the plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' in chronological order. They are all focused on the character of Sheila.
1 - Sheila is engaged to Gerald Croft at the start of the play.
2 - Sheila is upset when the Inspector arrives and starts questioning the family.
3 - Sheila reveals her role in getting Eva Smith fired from the department store.
4 - Sheila learns of Gerald's affair with Eva Smith and feels betrayed.
5 - Sheila takes responsibility for her actions and questions her parents.
6 - Sheila becomes more self-aware, symbolising hope for generational change.
Q2.
In 'An Inspector Calls', which words are used to describe Sheila in the stage directions of Act 1?
"shy"
"superior"
Correct answer: "pleased"
Correct answer: "pretty"
Correct answer: "excited"
Q3.
In 'An Inspector Calls', Sheila begs her mother not to put up a "wall" between them and the Inspector. What technique is Priestley using here?
hyperbole
simile
Correct answer: metaphor
alliteration
Q4.
Is the answer true or false? In Act 2 of 'An Inspector Calls', Sheila says she "respects" Gerald.
Correct Answer: true, t, True
Q5.
In 'An Inspector Calls', how does Sheila’s relationship with her parents change throughout the play?
She becomes increasingly supportive of their views.
Correct answer: She begins to openly challenge their attitudes and actions.
She distances herself completely from them.
She takes responsibility for their mistakes.
Q6.
In 'An Inspector Calls', the Inspector says that young ones are more...
"challenging"
"optimistic"
Correct answer: "impressionable"
"difficult"

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which word beginning with 'i' can be used to describe the way Sheila is treated like a child in 'An Inspector Calls'?
Correct Answer: infantilise, infantilised
Q2.
At the start of 'An Inspector Calls' Sheila could be described as entitled. This can be described as:
Correct answer: believing oneself to be inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment
behaviour in which you refuse to obey someone or something
showing compassion and understanding toward others
being overly critical of societal norms and expectation
Q3.
In 'An Inspector Calls' Mrs Birling infantilises Sheila by calling her a child and describes her behaviour as:
unnecessary
unrestriained
Correct answer: hysterical
unprovoked
Q4.
In 'An Inspector Calls', why does Sheila return her engagement ring to Gerald?
She no longer loves him.
Correct answer: She refuses to ignore his infidelity and wants to rethink their relationship.
She plans to marry someone else.
She blames him entirely for Eva Smith’s death.
Q5.
Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls' Sheila and Eva both face similar consequences after challenging authority.
Correct Answer: false, F, False
Q6.
Select two statements that agree with this comment: In 'An Inspector Calls', Sheila’s growth challenges power and status but fails to drive broader change.
Sheila’s defiance suggests younger generations can drive societal change.
Correct answer: Sheila’s growth shows personal change but does not challenge societal structures
Correct answer: Priestley highlights how class and gender norms remain unchanged despite Sheila.
Priestley shows how individual growth can inspire reform in society.