Sheila and changing attitudes toward gender and class in 'An Inspector Calls'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Sheila's character development could reflect changing attitudes towards gender and class expectations.
Key learning points
- Priestley initially presents Sheila as naive and entitled.
- Other characters infantilise Sheila and try to protect her from the truth
- The treatment of Sheila conforms to the gender expectations of Edwardian society.
- Sheila's journey in the play leads her to challenge and defy societal expectations.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley, Heinemann 2014 edition.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
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.
Q2.In 'An Inspector Calls', which words are used to describe Sheila in the stage directions of Act 1?
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?
Q4.Is the answer true or false? In Act 2 of 'An Inspector Calls', Sheila says she "respects" Gerald.
Q5.In 'An Inspector Calls', how does Sheila’s relationship with her parents change throughout the play?
Q6.In 'An Inspector Calls', the Inspector says that young ones are more...
Assessment exit quiz
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'?
Q2.At the start of 'An Inspector Calls' Sheila could be described as entitled. This can be described as:
Q3.In 'An Inspector Calls' Mrs Birling infantilises Sheila by calling her a child and describes her behaviour as:
Q4.In 'An Inspector Calls', why does Sheila return her engagement ring to Gerald?
Q5.Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls' Sheila and Eva both face similar consequences after challenging authority.
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.
To help you plan your 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...
To help you plan your 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.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the ‘An Inspector Calls’: societal expectations of gender and class unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.