Eva Smith/ Daisy Renton/Class Quotes Flashcards
“Two hours ago a young woman died on the infirmary. She’s been taken there this afternoon because she’s swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her insides out, of course” - inspector
- dysphemistic language - to evoke remorse and guilt in the family
- highlights her suffering that she endured and extreme level of desperation.
“Two hours ago” shows how it was imminent and could’ve been stopped
“Young” emphasises her vulnerability and how she should’ve been
“Young woman” creates emphasis on the two similarities of the two women. Arbitrary distinction of social class (not important and random) Sheila has been born into wealth and Eva hasn’t which dictates their opportunities and chances in life Priestly emphasises that all women within a patriarchal and Edwardian society lack autonomy, are oppressed and are objectified. However, Priestly shows intersectionality at play due because through the arbitrary dictation of social class dictates their opportunities and chances Eva has when juxtaposed with Sheila. Eva and Sheila are foil characters due to intersectionality.
Sheila - when she is told to go upstairs she is infantilised. She is used as a bargaining chip for her fathers social advancement.
“It’s perfectly straightforward case, and as it happened more than eighteen months ago - nearly two years ago - obviously it has nothing whatever to do with the wretched girl’s suicide” - Mr Birling
- incredibly flippant about Eva’s death
“Perfectly straightforward” blinded by his actions
“Wretched” has 2 meanings - showing how Eva was in a wretched situation. Also express anger and annoyance he is not using it sympathetically.
“18 months ago - nearly two years ago” distancing himself from the actions Eva commits. His actions catalysed her downfall so it is morally wrong for him not to take responsibility. Priestly highlights how every action, even seemingly insignificant actions can have vast consequences.
“I went to the manager and told him that this girl had been very impertinent - and - and (she almost breaks down, but controls herself.) How could I know what would happen afterwards? If she’d been some miserable plain little creature, I don’t suppose I’d have done it. But she was very pretty and looked as if she could take care of herself. I couldn’t be sorry for her.” - Sheila
“I went to the manager” abused her limited power to destroy the working class
Sheila emulates Mr Birling’s actions ‘how could I know what would happen afterwards’
She has an inherent preoccupation with superficially and beauty
Emphasised her insecurities as she feels threatened
Oblivious to the challenges of the working class as she has lived such a sheltered life.
Makes a conscious decision to not feel sympathy
“I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class”
“She came to you for help, at a time when no woman could have needed it more. And you not only refused it yourself but saw to it that the others refused it too. She was here alone, friendless, almost penniless, desperate. She needed not only money but advice, sympathy, friendliness. You’ve had children. You must have known what she was feeling. And you slammed the door in her face.
“She was giving herself ridiculous airs. She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position”
“Yes, I insisted - it seems. I’m not very clear about it, but afterwards she told me she didn’t want me to go in but that - well, I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty - and I threatened to make a row”
“She wanted twenty-five shillings a week instead of twenty-two and sixpence. You made her pay a heavy price for that. And now she’ll make you pay a heavier price still.”
“One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chances of 68 happiness, all intertwined with our lives, and what we think and say and do. We don’t live alone. We are members of one body.” - inspector
“You turned the girl out of one job, and I had her turned out of another. Gerald kept her - at a time when he was supposed to be busy to see me. Eric - well, we know what Eric did. And mother hardened her heart and gave her the final push that finished her. That’s what’s important- and not whether a man is a police inspector or not”
“All she wanted was to talk- a little friendliness”
The working class are very lonely and lack emotional support
