Eva Smith Flashcards
How is she described give a quote
“She was young and pretty and warm-hearted- and intensely grateful.
Analyse “She was young and pretty and warm-hearted- and intensely grateful.
Eva is described in an idealized way – innocent victim, pretty a good worker. In some ways, Priestley presents her as a martyr. The lower she sinks in her fortunes, the more honourable and noble she appears. She refuses to treat others as they have treated her, even though she is in a position to create scandal for them all.
Give a quote that shows mrs birling judgement of eva?
“As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!”
Analyse “As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!””
When Eric gave Eva stolen money, she wouldn’t accept it showing that she has strong morals. This hagiographical
deification of Eva creates a lack of respect for Eric and further highlights the corruption of the upper-class. By presenting Eva in a positive light Priestley presents his socialist ideas of equality and equal rights for all.
How is eva presented as?
Eva is described in terms of objectification. She is often referred to as ‘the girl’, which highlights her youth and innocence. The Inspector also says that Eric treated her like ‘an animal, a thing.’ Mrs Birling refers to her as ‘that sort’ etc.
How does eva show she has the upper hand?
Her connection to the characters in the play is what prompts their confessions. She promotes the idea that we have collective social responsibility, therefore. Despite her lower social class and death, Eva could be said to have the upper hand in the play as she is the one who has shown the others who they really are.
What did Eva being pregnant show?
The fact that Eva was pregnant suggests that the way we treat people can affect the next generation but also shows how hard it was to escape poverty.
What is the purpose of eva in this play?
Eva represents ordinary people
who can be destroyed by indifference when society fails to grant them the right of basic human dignity.
Give a quote showing eric treated her as an object
“Just used her for the end of a stupid drunken evening, as if she was an
animal, a thing, not a person.”
What does “eva” suggest?
similar to the bible as eve who was the first women created by God smith represents everywoman in the lower class eve is tempted by the snake in the bible and in the play the snakes are the birlings who ultimately ruin her life as a morality play we are reminded of temptation of greed by mr birling and lust from gerald and eric
What does the name daisy renton suggest?
daisy-purity and innocence
renston-play of word “renting” a word used in 1912 when hiring prostitutes links to language gerald uses “install” name becomes an oxymoron and priestly critiques capitalism
Give a quote showing the poor are abused
extended metaphor showing how capitalism abuses the poor
“when a chap easily tuns nasty”
Analyse when a chap easily tuns nasty”
adverb "easily" has implications that this type of behaviour is almost common place there fore we wonder in the conservative party and their ideals to are used in perhaps a trivial manner at the expense of lower class also links to stage direction of eric "half shy,half assertive" foreshadows this behaviour of eric when he's with eva
Analyse “she was alone,freindless,almost pennilessness”
triple-heightens how lonely she was and how she had no one to look to and shines the light on the horrendous treatment she receives from the birlings
shows the benefit of labour party and welfare system
Give a quote showing she was desperate
she was alone,freindless,almost pennilessness”
