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Engagement Ring

This piece of jewelry is offered by Gerald Croft to his fiance Sheila Birling at the beginning of the play only to be returned to him by her when his infidelity is revealed. It represents both the promise of true love and its disruption due to disloyalty.

Telephone

This device is the Birling family’s connection to the outside world and symbolizes both good and bad news for the family.

Port

This sweet red wine is shared by almost all members of the Birling family and their guest Gerald Croft throughout the play and symbolizes the characters’ limited ability to connect authentically with one another.

Dress

Sheila Birling tries on this item of clothing at Milward’s shop, where she has an employee fired for Sheila’s perception that the employee was ridiculing her. It symbolizes the upper middle class’s dismissive attitude toward, and callous...

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