Act 1–2: Sheila and Gerald’s Involvement
Sheila and Milwards
The Inspector reveals that after being sacked by Birling, Eva Smith found work at Milwards, a fashionable department store. She was happy there until Sheila Birling had her sacked out of jealousy and spite.
Sheila admits that she complained about Eva because the girl had held up a dress against herself and smiled — a smile Sheila interpreted as mocking. Sheila used her family’s status as valued customers to pressure the manager into firing Eva. It was an act of jealousy, driven by class privilege.
Sheila is the first character to show genuine remorse. She immediately recognises her cruelty: “I felt rotten about it at the time and now I feel a lot worse.” This separates her from her parents, who never truly accept responsibility.
Sheila’s response to the Inspector marks the beginning of her character arc. She starts the play as a privileged, somewhat shallow young woman (“Oh — how horrible!”). But she quickly moves beyond guilt to genuine understanding. She begins to challenge her parents, question Gerald, and accept that social responsibility extends beyond her own comfort.
Priestley uses Sheila to represent the younger generation — capable of learning, changing and building a better society. She is the character most aligned with Priestley’s own values by the end of the play.
Gerald and Daisy Renton
The Inspector reveals that Eva changed her name to Daisy Renton after leaving Milwards. At the mention of this name, Gerald reacts visibly — Sheila notices and realises he knew her.
Gerald eventually confesses. He met Daisy at the Palace Variety Theatre bar, where she was being harassed by Alderman Meggarty (a local councillor). Gerald rescued her, gave her money and set her up in a friend’s flat. They began an affair that lasted several months.
Gerald’s account presents him as a rescuer — he saved Daisy from Meggarty and gave her security. But Priestley complicates this. Gerald had the power in the relationship: he was wealthy, male and upper-class. Daisy was homeless, desperate and entirely dependent on him. Gerald ended the affair before going away on business, and gave her a parting gift of money.
Gerald’s behaviour exposes the power imbalance between men and women in Edwardian society. Even his “kindness” was a form of control. Daisy had no real choice — she was a kept woman dependent on Gerald’s goodwill.
Sheila gives Gerald back his engagement ring after hearing his confession. This is symbolically important — it shows Sheila is no longer willing to accept comfortable lies. She chooses truth over the security of marriage, rejecting the Edwardian expectation that women should tolerate men’s behaviour.
Sheila as the Inspector’s Ally
As the investigation progresses, Sheila increasingly sides with the Inspector. She warns Gerald not to try to hide anything: “he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we don’t know yet.” She becomes a proxy for the Inspector within the family, pressing others to confess.
A clear divide emerges between the older Birlings (Arthur and Sybil) and the younger generation (Sheila and Eric). The older characters refuse to change; the younger ones are transformed by the Inspector’s visit. Priestley uses this divide to suggest that social change will come from the young, who are still capable of empathy and moral growth.