When the inspector tells the family that he has a photograph of the girl that committed suicide, then he suspiciously lets one person look at the photograph at a time. This gives the audience a very doubtful thought, but is quickly dismissed as the inspector flows into another subject. This also gives the audience an absent suspicion about why he doesn’t let the other characters see the photo.
As he first inspects Mr Birling, who feels no resentment at all towards Eva Smith and does not feel as if any part of her suicide is his fault. After realising that the inspector would like to talk to other members of the family other than him, Mr Birling is relieved but still quite nervous. Sheila’s character itself brings out quite a dramatic effect as each event occurs. This is because she gives a more “down-to-earth” view on the whole situation. She realises the remorse that should be given towards the death of Eva Smith and is the only one that shows regret as soon as she hears about the death. This regret increases when the inspector starts to question her about making Eva Smith fired from a job in a shop, as the reason for her dismissal, was completely selfish from Sheila. When the inspector makes her realise fully what she has done, she feels incredible guilt and becomes less and less giddy as the play carries on.
When the inspector starts on Gerald, the whole room is completely surprised at his knowledge of the girl, however by that time Eva Smith had changed her name to Daisy Renton. This also questions the audience as to why she changed her name but there is a subconscious feeling that she changed her name to become a completely different person.
After Gerald’s admittance to the knowledge of Daisy Renton, the feeling so far from the audience is that it is incredible how so many people from this one family could all know the same girl. This gives a dramatic effect and seems almost surreal. After Gerald’s inquisition, you realise, that he, so far is the only that that did anything completely loyal to Daisy Renton and that he had her best interests at heart.
The next person to be questioned is Mrs. Birling, who is very confident and stern and refuses to take any responsibility to the death of Daisy Renton. Daisy had visited Mrs Birling in a time of need and asked for help, still not revealing who she is. This is because Mrs Birling is one of the organisers for the Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation, and has the power to dismiss certain issues that women come to the charity for help with. Daisy had been pregnant, and needed money and had explained to Mrs. Birling that she could not accept any money from the father because she felt he had stolen it. This story eventually comes out, after Daisy had lied to the mother, saying that her husband deserted her and had named herself Mrs. Birling, whereas the real Mrs. Birling was very rude of her. Mrs Birling manages to get the case dismissed and once again Daisy Renton, or Eva Smith, is rejected. Gerald leaves for a walk outside by himself to reflect on his actions. This makes you like Gerald a lot, as you know he did nothing wrong to Daisy and as he leaves you can tell he misses her.
Finally Eric arrives on the scene and he is quite drunk and knows what he is being questioned for. The inspector doesn’t need to show him a picture of Daisy Renton as he knows what he has done. The ending of the inquisition of the Birling family ends as Eric fills the rest of the story. He admits that he was the father of Daisy Renton’s child and also admits that he had been stealing money from his father’s company. The inspector gets impatient as the parents have an argument with Eric about he money and that Eric is arguing with them the fact that his mother refused her help. He ends with a speech, which is very reflective, and very shameful towards them. As he leaves the stunned family are in silence and Gerald comes back.
Gerald finds out the rest of the story, and when they finish, he starts asking the family questions himself. He starts telling the family about how he found out that Inspector Goole wasn’t really an inspector but must have been an impostor, and that the photos that he showed them, may not have been the same picture that he had shown each time. The family make some more calls and realise that it’s true. Eric and Sheila are the only ones that still show remorse for what they have just found out about the family’s selfish actions that they effect on other people.
This gives the audience a relief, even though they are not included in the fault of the death of Daisy Renton, but Eric and Sheila are still upset about it and even though the parents and Gerald are happy and celebrating, Sheila and Eric tend to bring down the level of happiness in the room by making you feel more and more guilt as they keep on saying their thoughts on the situation.
In this play I felt it had a very good twist to the ending as after feeling brilliant about themselves, acting as if they hadn’t found out anything, they get a call from the police station saying that an inspector is coming round to question them. This gives you a stunned surprise and makes you feel that you should always be careful about how your actions affect others. The effect is incredible at the end where you find the most mysterious phone call.
