EVA Flashcards
“Daisy Renton”
After being a victim of exploitation and the Patriarchal society, She changed her name to Daisy Renton” The verb “rent” in Renton is a euphemism of prostitution, and going against her own morals to survive. Furthermore, she had to purify herself from the depths of prostitution, and did this buy burning “her insides out”. Shocking imagery was utilised by Priestley to showcase the physical suffering caused by her disgraceful treatment. Suicide is usually punished with hell, but in the case Eva’s life was a living hell and she ended up dying in “misery and agony.”
“A girl of that sort would not evr refuse money”
Mrs Birling claims that “a girl of that sort would (not) ever refuse money”, as she assumes that due to her lower-class origin, she is inherently greedy. Despite this, Eva is presented as a moral force, who never takes stolen money and won’t marry Eric just for his wealth. This is in contrast to Eric, who steals money, and the Birlings, who arrange Sheila’s marriage for financial gain; in the name of “lower costs and higher prices”.
“young and fresh and charming and altogether out of place down there”.
The adjective “fresh” bears connotations of desire and fertility, demonstrating that Gerald views her with sexual intent from the start, describing her like food, an example of misogynistic objectification. Priestley also includes connotations of purity as she is “out of place”, which is possibly a euphemism for her still being a virgin.
