Phase no.4; Sheila reveals her involvement
When Sheila enters, the Inspector reveals that he would also like to question her about Eva Smith's death. He tells Sheila that Eva's next job was at a big shop called Milwards, but that she was sacked after a customer complained about her. When she too is shown a photograph of the girl, Sheila is very affected. She admits that it was her fault that Eva was sacked.
Phase no.5; Gerald’s secret
When the Inspector then states that Eva, in despair, changed her name to Daisy Renton, Gerald Croft's involuntary reaction reveals that he knew her too. erald let her stay in the flat of a friend of his and she became his mistress. He ended the affair
when he had to go away on business, giving her some money to see her through for a few months.
Phase no.6; Mrs Birling’s confessions
Once Gerald has left to go for a walk, Inspector Goole shows a photograph to Mrs Birling. he grudgingly admits that she had seen the girl two weeks previously, when the girl - now pregnant - had come to ask for financial assistance from the Brumley Women's Charity Organisation.
Phase no.7; Eric’s return
Right at the end of the scene, as Mrs Birling says the father of the child and claims he needs to be made an example of, Sheila realise that Eric is involved. When Eric comes into the room, the act ends.
Phase no.8; Eric is reviled
Eric tells the story of his own involvement with the girl. on afterwards she discovered that she was pregnant. She did not want to marry Eric because she knew he didn't love her, but she did accept gifts of money from him until she realised it was stolen.
Phase no.9; The cover up
All the Birlings now know they played a part in the girl's death. Mr and Mrs Birling are concerned about covering up their involvement, whereas Sheila and Eric are more aware of the personal tragedy and feel guilty. The Inspector leaves, after delivering a strong message about how we all should be responsible for each other.
Phase no.10; Who was the Inspector?
After he has left, and the family has begun to consider the consequences of what has been revealed, they gradually begin to wonder about the Inspector. They gradually
realise that perhaps the Inspector conned them - he could have showed each person a different photograph - and when they telephone the infirmary, they realise that there hasn't been a suicide case for months. Birling is delighted, assuming they are now all off the hook, while Sheila and Eric maintain that nothing has changed - each of them still committed the acts that the Inspector had accused them of, even if they did turn out to be against five different girls.
Phase no.11; The Plot thickens
Then the telephone rings. Mr Birling answers it, and after hanging up tells the family that it was the police on the line: an inspector is on his way to ask questions about the suicide of a young girl...
