The Student Room Group

Help explaining this Inspector Calls quote.

‘You mustn’t try to build up a wall between us and that girl. the inspector will just break it down.’ - Sheila, pg30

I'll analyse the quote and you tell me if my analysis is perforated. Thank you.

This is defiantly a metaphorical meaning. It also shows that Sheila knows the power of the inspector;the power of responsibility. Maybe this suggests responsibility is the best way forward because here you cannot defend irresponsibility because Mrs Birling wall will just get knocked down. So therefore being responsible is the best way for us all because (staying with the wall idea) your just taking less energy and end up with the same. No wall.

Reply 1

Be more definite and don't say 'maybe'.

Reply 2

Jingers
Be more definite and don't say 'maybe'.


Agreed, saying maybe puts doubt into the examiner/teachers mind whether you actually know what you're talking about, or whether its just guess work.

Even if it is just guess work, doesn't help to sound a little more positive and sure of your own answer.

Also, are you working on a specific theme in this piece of work?

Reply 3

I know I am 10 years too late.. But when Sheila says "You mustn’t try to build up a wall between us and that girl. If you do the inspector will just break it down", she is using a metaphorical wall that the Inspector will knock down to show he insightful understanding of his methods. She knows that if they try to keep anything from the Inspector, it will only make things worse. The other characters do not notice this as quickly as Sheila does. She breaks down this metaphorical wall that her mother first put up, between the working class and middle/upper class. This shows that she has adopted the Inspectors and Priestley's socialist views, therefore she shows social responsibility - one of the main themes in 'An Inspector Calls'. Priestley uses Sheila, as well as Eric to show his opinions on youth. He felt that there was hope in the young people of post-war Britain. He saw them as the ones who would help solve the problems the country has with class, gender and social responsibility. This is also seen in how Sheila is deeply affected by Eva Smith's death, she accepts responsibility straight away and promises to never behave in such a way again. This is not the case with the older generation, Mr and Mrs Birling and even Gerald do not accept responsibility and we do not get the impression that they will change. This is surprising, since we would typically imagine the older generation to be the ones to accept responsibility, however it is actually the younger generation that do.
Hope this helps someone (:

Reply 4

Loool I don't think they need it now, they may have a family even right now, loool.But this is helping me so thanksssss, I've looked for so long.

Reply 5

Haha yeah I thought so but i'm glad it helped someone :smile:
Original post by Alex123212321
Loool I don't think they need it now, they may have a family even right now, loool.But this is helping me so thanksssss, I've looked for so long.

Reply 6

Original post by dia aziz
I know I am 10 years too late.. But when Sheila says "You mustn’t try to build up a wall between us and that girl. If you do the inspector will just break it down", she is using a metaphorical wall that the Inspector will knock down to show he insightful understanding of his methods. She knows that if they try to keep anything from the Inspector, it will only make things worse. The other characters do not notice this as quickly as Sheila does. She breaks down this metaphorical wall that her mother first put up, between the working class and middle/upper class. This shows that she has adopted the Inspectors and Priestley's socialist views, therefore she shows social responsibility - one of the main themes in 'An Inspector Calls'. Priestley uses Sheila, as well as Eric to show his opinions on youth. He felt that there was hope in the young people of post-war Britain. He saw them as the ones who would help solve the problems the country has with class, gender and social responsibility. This is also seen in how Sheila is deeply affected by Eva Smith's death, she accepts responsibility straight away and promises to never behave in such a way again. This is not the case with the older generation, Mr and Mrs Birling and even Gerald do not accept responsibility and we do not get the impression that they will change. This is surprising, since we would typically imagine the older generation to be the ones to accept responsibility, however it is actually the younger generation that do.
Hope this helps someone (:

It helped me!