Summary

The action is continuous.

Sheila wonders what is going on, and Goole explains. Sheila reacts sympathetically to his story of Eva Smith, empathizing with her situation in spite of Gerald agreeing with Birling. When Birling protests that Sheila should be kept out of the conversation and speaks threateningly to Goole, Goole reveals that he is not actually there to see him – that he is more interested in talking to the young people. Birling speaks more calmly even as Sheila and Eric become even more curious, and as Gerald protests he did not know Eva Smith at all.

Goole explains that after Eva Smith was dismissed from Birling’s factory, she struggled to find a way to make a living. Sheila speaks sympathetically of her situation, and Goole agrees, making pointed comments about Birling. Goole then goes on to describe how Eva...