Eva Smith Flashcards
“there are millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths”. Talk about the name ‘Smith’.
Priestly uses “Smith” as at the time it was the most common surname in Britain and therefore symbolises the everday people of Britain. Eva’s story of poverty and suffering is the universal story of the common people.
Smith originates from Blacksmith, demonstrates that her class is a fixed part of her identity and origins, something she can’t escape.
“died in misery and agony - hating life”
Graphic adjectives “misery and agony” encourage the audience to emphasies with Eva, visualising the pain and suffering she endured at the hands of the birlings.
“Renton”
The name is derived from the verb “to rent”, a euphemism for prostitution in the early 20th century.
Marks Eva being forced to change her approach to surviving in a hostile society.
She must go against her own moral principles to survive.
“young and fresh and charming and altogether out of place down there”
The adjective “fresh” bears connotation of desire and fertility, demonstrating that Gerald views her with sexual intent from the start, describing her like food, example of misogynistic objectification.
Also includes connotations of purity as she is “out of place”, possibly a euphemism for her still being a virgin.
“a girl of that sort would never refuse money”
Mrs Birling assumes that due to Eva’s 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. “Lower costs, higher prices”.
“impertinence, one of the thing that prejudiced me against her”
Use of the noun “impertinence” is loaded with connotations of class prejudice, implying that Mrs Birling sees herself as superior to Eva.
Therefore, those living in poverty have no way to escape it as they cannot challenge their exploitation.
“very pretty and having “big dark eyes” - Gerald.
Eva had to “leave after a strike” and “said something about the shop too”.
Gerald tries to reduce his and the other characters responsiblity by claiming that Eva was many different girls.
This is despite him providing the evidence they were all the same when he linguistically echoes Sheila, describing Eva “very pretty” and having “big dark”
Furthermore, he recalls her telling him she had a job that she had to “leave after a strike” and “said something about the shop too”. Makes it extremely clear that the characters are denying the inspectors accusation for their own benefit. So they can continue living their materialistic lives without taking responsibility.
