GCSE AQA ENGLISH LITERATURE: Can someone please mark my AIC essay? :)

12

This is the question. I think I may have answered it wrong though :frown:

How does Priestley present Sheila as a character who learns important lessons about
herself and society?
Write about:
some of the things Sheila learns in the play
how Priestley presents Sheila as a character who learns important lessons about
herself and society

In J.B. Priestley's allegorical play, An Inspector Calls, Sheila, a 'girl who is "pleased with life and [is] rather excited", is initially presented as a naive and gullible character. By the end of Act 1, she transforms into a 'young woman' who takes on the responsibility of her actions and challenges her 'hard-head' parents, who ultimately represent the capitalistic and unyielding views of the older generation in society.

Firstly, 'Sheila Darling' is initially presented as a naive, gullible and immature girl due to her infantile remarks towards her 'mummy' and 'daddy', particularly during their 'good dinner', when she was caught distracted and insists she actually was... listening. Priestley's use of the term of endearment 'darling' implies that Sheila is not taken seriously by her 'mummy' and 'daddy' as she is treated as a child despite being in her early twenties. Furthermore, the term reflects how women in the Edwardian society were viewed as delicate, dependent, obedient objects who are 'ought to be protected against unpleasant things'. The noun girl further reinforces the infantilisation Sheila is treated with. Moreover, Priestley's Use of 'mummy' and 'daddy' connotes how Sheila is not only dependent on her parents, but on the capitalistic world. The Birlings are personifications of capitalism, an economic system that is solely introduced for profit. Furthermore, the use of these infantile terms connote innocence and how her parents have raised her to be dependent on capitalism to survive in society. She is also innocent as she doesn't understand and fears and suffering "millions and millions and millions of Eva and John Smiths" goes through. Sheila later breaks this innocent dependence on the ideology of capitalism, especially when she refers to Mrs Birling as 'mother'. Moreover the use of 'actually' suggests how Sheila, darling, feels the need to justify herself and seek the approval and validation from others. Similarly, to a 'girl', Miss Birling serves as a reminder to the Edwardian audience that one cannot remain innocent and childlike forever, but must evolve into a mature 'open-minded' young woman who recognises their social responsibility and strives to help the millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths' struggling in society.

Secondly, in An Inspector Calls, Miss Birling begins to transform into a more independent young woman who takes responsibility. She insists that 'these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people and if [she] could help her now [she] would. The use of 'girls' connotes vulnerability and contrasts their struggle and fears with Sheila's exciting view as a girl. Many girls would have worked in factories as early as the age of twelve. The oxymoron of cheap and labour emphasises the struggles of these girls as they work incredibly hard and long hours of 12-14 per day for as little pay as twenty two shillings. Furthermore the use of the hyphen symbolises Sheila's realisation of the suffering the girls experience. The use of the noun people almost humanises them emphasising how Birling and Co. 'crofts' limited and even more capitalists dehumanise these girls for 'higher prices and lower costs'. Moreover, Sheila's alliteration 'help her' creates a soft reassuring promise almost that Sheila would help her if [she] could. However the use of the rhyme in could and would and absence of repetition could symbolise how it's too late to say 'I'm sorry, Eva Smith.' Miss Birling conveys the message to the Edwardian audience to be mindful of your actions as one 'can't even say "I'm sorry" once a mistake is made.

Lastly, in the allegorical play, the 'young woman' challenges her family's frightening views on the situation as they prefer, "everything is just as it was before", despite the Inspector's message about the "millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths" still alive. The verb "pretend" connotes how the Birlings avoid the reality of the situation and the use of the adverb "just" further alludes to this suggesting how the Birlings believe it is not a big deal. Sheila's use of the word "frighten" represents how the views of the older generation capitalists and upper class are deeply unsettling as they believe exploiting innocent workers is accepted in society. "Goole's" repetition of "millions" and asyndetic listing of each alludes to how there was an overwhelming amount of people who lived like Eva Smith during the Edwardian Era. Priestley's use of the generic names "Eva...John Smith" symbolises how Eva Smith represents the lives of millions. Furthermore, the use of a feminine and masculine name connotes how the lower working class struggles can happen to anyone and anyone. This "young woman" demonstrates the message that it is possible to change but to transform society, we must change ourselves first.

Priestley's famous allegorical play represents Sheila as a "young", transformed woman by the end of the play, conveying the Inspector's message.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 1

mjflay0923

6

Your essay demonstrates a strong understanding of how Priestley presents Sheila's development in An Inspector Calls, with perceptive insights into her transformation from a naive "girl" to a socially aware "young woman." The analysis of her initial dependence on her parents and capitalism is thoughtful, supported by well-chosen evidence such as her use of "mummy" and "daddy" and her shift to "mother." The discussion of Sheila's growing sense of social responsibility is particularly compelling, especially the nuanced exploration of her acknowledgment of Eva Smith’s humanity through phrases like "these girls aren't cheap labour – they're people." Furthermore, your analysis of the Inspector's repetition of "millions" and the symbolic use of generic names like "Eva" and "John Smith" effectively links Sheila's development to Priestley's broader message about collective responsibility.
However, the essay could benefit from more concise and focused points; some sentences are overly long and complex, making them harder to follow. Grammar issues, such as misplaced apostrophes ("Birling's" instead of "Birlings"), also detract slightly from the clarity. The discussion of capitalism is insightful but sometimes repetitive, and more exploration of Sheila’s interactions with other characters could deepen the analysis. Overall, this is a well-structured and insightful response, likely achieving 17–18 marks out of 20 (high Band 5, Grade 7/8). To improve, focus on clarity and further refine technical accuracy.

Reply 2

ⓁⒶⒾⒷⒶ

OP

12

Original post by mjflay0923

Your essay demonstrates a strong understanding of how Priestley presents Sheila's development in An Inspector Calls, with perceptive insights into her transformation from a naive "girl" to a socially aware "young woman." The analysis of her initial dependence on her parents and capitalism is thoughtful, supported by well-chosen evidence such as her use of "mummy" and "daddy" and her shift to "mother." The discussion of Sheila's growing sense of social responsibility is particularly compelling, especially the nuanced exploration of her acknowledgment of Eva Smith’s humanity through phrases like "these girls aren't cheap labour – they're people." Furthermore, your analysis of the Inspector's repetition of "millions" and the symbolic use of generic names like "Eva" and "John Smith" effectively links Sheila's development to Priestley's broader message about collective responsibility.
However, the essay could benefit from more concise and focused points; some sentences are overly long and complex, making them harder to follow. Grammar issues, such as misplaced apostrophes ("Birling's" instead of "Birlings"), also detract slightly from the clarity. The discussion of capitalism is insightful but sometimes repetitive, and more exploration of Sheila’s interactions with other characters could deepen the analysis. Overall, this is a well-structured and insightful response, likely achieving 17–18 marks out of 20 (high Band 5, Grade 7/8). To improve, focus on clarity and further refine technical accuracy.

This is so helpful; thank you so much!!

GCSE AQA ENGLISH LITERATURE: Can someone please mark my AIC essay? :)

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