Mr Birling takes a very relaxed approach towards the death of Eva Smith, he clearly believes he is in no way responsible for her state and expresses this clearly by saying, ‘Look - there’s nothing mysterious - or scandalous – about this business, obviously it has nothing to do with the wretched girl’s suicide.’ The presence of dashes suggests that Mr Birling is pausing between each phrase. This can indicate that he is trying to justify his reasons for sacking the girl for no good reason. At this point Priestly is trying to put across that we should think before we make big decisions and try to imagine how it will affect them and their lives, meaning we should think of others and not just ourselves.
Despite Sheila’s reaction to Eva’s death and her horror to her father’s actions she herself had a part to play in Eva’s death. In an act of unusual immaturity Sheila had Eva Smith sacked due to petty ignorance and jealousy. When the Inspector shows Sheila the photo she ‘recognizes it with a little cry, gives a half-stifled sob, and then runs out’. Although Sheila did commit an act of selfishness when she had Eva sacked she is clearly sorry for what she has done. Sheila seems to grasp the fact that even though no individual killed Eva Smith, their actions made a difference. Priestly is trying to express that we should always think of others, and that all our actions make a difference in a world that is progressing so fast. Sheila used her power as a wealthy middle classed shopper at a well known dress shop to have an innocent victim sacked because of her own selfish jealousy. This can act as a warning for people in the future, do not use your power to hurt others because you felt sorry for yourself.
After further questions the inspector mentions the name Daisy Renton which Gerald instantly recognises, revealing his relationship with her at once by saying ‘What?’ in a startled manner. The inspector exits leaving Sheila and Gerald on their own, where Sheila immediately questions Gerald about Daisy Renton. After Sheila asks Gerald some general questions Gerald finally tries to push it all to one side and hide it from the Inspector by saying ‘asks Gerald some general questions Gerald finally tries to push it all to one side and hide it from the Inspector by saying ‘Yes. We can keep it from him.’ Although Gerald believes he can lie about it all he can’t. Priestly is concerned about people lying to keep things hidden as it can damage relationships and personalities. Later in the play the Inspector comes back to questions Gerald on his affair where he reveals he met Daisy at the palace bar and met her many times after that. Sheila’s reaction to the Inspector’s questions was to interrupt his questions with sarcastic comments and questions. It is clear that Sheila is upset by the whole affair; Priestly conveys his feeling towards adultery. It almost comes across as a warning for future marriages,
When Sheila finds out that both Gerald and Eric had an intimate relationship with Eva Smith she was acting quite hysterically, she had realised that her own mother was condemning her own son when she said that the father should take full responsibility for his actions. Sheila was the one person in the family who realised the gravity of the situation and was mature enough to feel responsible. Instead of pushing the blame on someone else and brushing it aside she realised she must accept her part in Eva’s death. By doing this she is acting far more responsible than her parents and fiancé. This is another one of Priestley’s concerns about the future, that we must all accept our actions and take responsibility for them.
During the Inspectors final speech Priestly reinforces many of the points he made during the play, the speech is directed not only to the Birling family but to all the readers of the play. He mentions that we must look after everyone, their lives, their hopes, their fears, their suffering and chances of happiness. Priestly is warning that we must care and look after each other if we are to survive. Sheila is the only one who understand this fully and accepts her part in Eva’s death regardless whether the Inspector was an official police officer or not.
