Eva Smith

Question 1

Key Ideas: Eva Smith

Answer 1

→ Eva symbolises the suffering of the lower-classes.
→ She is the victim of a patriarchal society and the class inequality which is apparent
throughout the social hierarchy of 1912 Britain.
→ She demonstrates the need for a welfare state.

Question 2

Eva Start

Answer 2

1. “Lively looking girl”
   “Very pretty”

From the start, Eva is judged very objectively as pretty, and is exploited due to her beauty.

2. “A good worker, too”

First, her appearance, then her working capability. Eva is seen materialistic ally, as most lower class individuals are by upper class exploiters. Symbolises all lower class people.

3. “Cheap labour”

Dehumanised into a standard verb, only there to work, not to be appreciated, exploited.

Question 2

Eva End

Answer 2

1. “As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money”

Reference to lower class viewed as vermin and beggars, seen as taking advantage. Irony due to her having been taken advantage of by the entire Birlings family and Gerald for the past while, leading to her death.

2. “An animal, a thing, not a person”

Exploitation. Zoomorphism suggests dehumanisation.

3. “Millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths”

Smith is a common surname. She symbolises the hard work exploited by the rich and the exploitation and carelessness of the rich onto the poor

Question 3

Eva Middle

Answer 3

1. “Young and fresh and charming”

Rule of three, objectively seen and evaluated by appearance.Fresh suggests fertility and tractive News, suggesting Gerald saw her as a means of pleasure. Misogynistic objectification.

2. “Out of place”

Euphemism for virgin, in a bar full of prostitutes.

3. “Broke it off”

Sudden close of the relationship. Third person singular pronoun it suggests this was a one sided act from the start, but perhaps the third person suggests that they were always distanced due to class and status, therefore never that close.