Show how Sheila is the only charater who knows what the Inspector is doing.

realises how the Inspector Goole is capable of obtaining all the information. The first sign that shows somewhat indirectly that she has understood the inspectors ways is right at the start of the act where she says “You see? What did I tell you?”(pg 27) laughing hysterically showing that she already expected this to happen. She says this to Gerald since he believed that he could “escape” the inspector’s questioning by denying all statements regarding Daisy Renton. She also demonstrates a found knowledge of the inspectors approach to the inquiry by assertively saying to her mother not to proceed, (pg 29) “No, Mother – please!”. This was said in response to Mrs. Birling’s self introduction to the inspector where she started confidently (the same way the others had, a point mentioned by Sheila [pg 30]) saying that she knew nothing of this girl, so the entire questioning being carried out was futile – a clear misconception and an unmistakable sign that she is completely and utterly unaware of exactly what inspector Goole is doing  - which is explained further into the act by Sheila herself “You mustn’t try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl. If you do, then the inspector will just break it down. And it’ll be all the worse when he does”. However, she proceeds to saying in a figurative manner, “No, he’s giving us the rope so that we will all hang ourselves” – which shows that the inspector tells them, or shows them enough evidence to make them feel even a remote amount of remorse, which is sufficient to trigger off an alert to more hidden knowledge. This is visible when he shows a picture, or mentions Daisy Rentons name to Gerald, and his reaction, even if he did try to cover it up, was undeniable. This led to his confessions at a later point in time, which “hung” himself for he claimed guilty. It was the case with every character, except Mr Birling who shows very little guilt if none at all, and throughout all of act one and two he insists that he acted righteously and he doesn’t regret it the least bit. Even late into Act 2, after a large amount of time for Eva Smith’s death to have settled in his conscience and after various references concerning the gore present at her death, he says “… I only did what any employer might have done…” (pg 37) showing that unlike the other characters he and Mrs. Birling are the least emotional and the coldest characters in the play. Sheila on the other hand is the total opposite, and it is this contrast and constant conflict of feelings between Sheila and Mr. Birling that make us have more compassion and be more understanding towards Sheila, whilst at the same time more hatred towards Mr. Birling. The same applies for the inspectors opinion on the various characters. Mrs. Birling says (pg 43) “I’m very sorry. But I think she had only herself to blame.”. This is a conflict in ideas, for how can she feel sorrow if she blames the girl, or Eva Smith for everything? Besides it was Mrs. Birling who denied her help, help to protection and health, a right existent in the Human Rights. Therefore I can conclude that Sheila shows more guilt, remorse, compassion and sorrow towards the girl Eva Smith than any other character, and it is these feelings that gain her the compassion of the Inspector. At the same time, it could almost be said that they have a sort of link between each other, for the same way he understands her to an extent, she understands his ways of inquiry and the reasons behind these, and tries desperately to alert her family to this to avoid them digging themselves a deeper hole, however they simply don’t choose to listen. There is clear evidence present in the text in Act 2 to support my statements regarding Sheila and her views of the inspector, and despite the fact that only a mere few were mentioned, she repeats the idea behind these various times.