Alternative ending-An Inspector Calls
The stress that was caused in the Birling family was very disturbing even after a couple of years in 1914. When the war started everything gradually started to become worse as the country was suffering and many people were injured including children and infants.
Sheila wanted to achieve something in life; she wanted to become a nurse as she knew she would be more deserving and would be able to help others who were injured. She knew that Eric was going away to fight for the country at the trenches and he had decided to join the war as he wanted to go away from home and thought that no one cared about his decisions he makes in life. He told Sheila “I want to do this not only for myself, but for all my family as they would be proud of me when I get back.” Sheila replied “Oh Eric that is very sweet but you would have to think about it very carefully and what the consequences will be.” “I will Sheila” answered Eric. “I will be very careful and make something out of myself, but whilst I’m away I want you to also become independent and earn your own money as it would be better for you.” Sheila said “Thank you Eric for being considerate. I will certainly but you just make sure that you tell Mother and Father before leaving as it would sound better coming from you” Eric told his parents about him leaving, they had took a shock to it and they weren’t very supportive towards his decision but they had thought that if he goes he will only be responsible for himself and he may become more independent. Gerald moved away to another country.
As much as Gerald wanted to join Mr. Birling’s business and be a part of the family, seeing all the war taking place and people facing horrific things he decided to run away from his problems move to America. However Mr. Birling and Gerald wanted their own benefits whilst running the business therefore this change made Mr. Birling ending up being worried and upset. On the other hand Mrs. Birling became concerned about Eric but yet she had become much more aware of him and what he was capable of, therefore she got on with her duties and did her job for charity. Sheila thought that Gerald was making an excuse to get away from their relationship as she heard about the other life he was living behind her back when he was with Eva Smith and therefore she thought that she’d call the whole relationship off and get a job of a nurse and move on in life as she knew nothing good was going to come out of the marriage she was going to have with him. When Sheila told this to Gerald he didn’t hesitate to reply back “I totally understand your decision, and if that’s what makes you happy then it shall be.” Sheila replied “Yes it would make me happy but you seem completely normal. It looks like you have already moved on.” Gerald answered “No it’s nothing like that. I do agree with your decision I just think it won’t work out with us.” Sheila said “I totally agree with you.” When Sheila ended this conversation she didn’t talk to Gerald again.
On the other hand Eric was sending letters home and was doing very well and Sheila was very pleased with him as she was the only one who was taking notice and was reading the letters he sent. As she showed her parents, Mr Birling wasn’t taking any notice however Mrs. Birling got emotional and started to miss Eric a lot. Mrs. Birling said “I’m missing my little boy so much, Sheila do you know when he is coming back.” Sheila replied “Mother I know it must be hard for you... Well... It’s hard for everyone but you never took notice of him when he was around, now that he has gone I think you have realized how much you love him” Mrs Birling answered “Sheila don’t be so stupid I looked out for Eric a lot.” Sheila replied “Is that why you didn’t know anything about him, and what he did with that girl Eva Smith. All I’m trying to say is that Eric has grown up now and you can’t keep treating him like he’s a baby anymore.” Mrs. Birling replied “Well it doesn’t matter now he’s gone and when he comes back he should be proud of himself” Sheila smiled and said “I’m sure he will be” (as she walked out the room she pated her mother’s back very gently and left her mother thinking about Eric).
Six months later Mr. Birling was going through serious depression as his business was going bad and he didn’t know what to do about it. He thought maybe if Eric comes back he could help him figure everything out, Mr Birling began to write a letter to Eric “Dear Son, I am so sorry for not writing to you in the last six months, I hope you are doing well and everything is good over there, I’m wishing you all the best. I just wanted to say that I am becoming very weak in these last few months and I would like you to come back home. It feels so long since I have seen your face.” When Eric received this letter he was so happy that he rushed home straight away.
All the family were waiting for Eric in the living room, everyone was so happy to see him again after so long. Eric made a phone call and told Sheila he was nearly home. As he walked into the room he saw everyone smiling back at him it was like he was visioning this for a long time, he went to go hug and kiss everyone but as he came to his father Mr. Birling shook very quickly and had started to lurch, he couldn’t keep his posture straight Eric moved towards him and said “Father how are you? Are you okay? You look very ill.” As Eric stood back Mr. Birling had a heart attack and died. After this the Birling family stayed strong and never let anything get in between them, however Mr. Birling did learn from his mistakes and realized how much he did really care for Eric. Everyone was upset but at the end, the whole family knew how to treat and respect one another.