The dramatic significance of Sheila is evident in her representation of the disparity in gender in 1912. As the Birling family has finished dinner, Mrs Birling and Sheila, the women of the house, are asked to leave the room and leave the men to drink. This implies that society expected women to depart from the …show more content…
Near the end of Act III, the Inspector departs and leaves not only the Birlings, but the audience speechless. After his emotive warning, we are taught the importance of taking responsibility for our actions or men will be taught this lesson ‘in fire and blood and anguish’. However, once the Birlings realize that Inspector Goole had never been heard of at the police station, they hope to not have to face their past responsibilities, and go on with their night as if nothing had happened. This is when Priestley uses Sheila to echo the inspector’s voice as they “are being childish – trying not to face the facts”, thus to remind them of their amiss attitudes. Priestley uses Sheila as a role model as she takes blame for her actions and realises that she is the one to blame, and no one