Eva Smith Quotes Flashcards
Eva Smith Class Quote
“There are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths”
The name ‘Smith’ has its roots in the working class, originating from ‘blacksmith’, and arguably Priestley does this to demonstrate that her class is a fundamental part of her identity and origins, something that she can’t escape. Priestley uses the common name ‘John Smith’ to symbolise the universality of the suffering of the working classes, largely forgotten and neglected by the wealthy.
Eva Smith Class Quote 2
“died in misery and agony - hating life”
After Sheila’s confession, the Inspector reminds her that Eva “died in misery and agony - hating life”.
The graphic adjectives “misery and agony” encourage the audience to empathise with Eva, visualising the pain and suffering she endured at the hands of the Birlings. Priestley intensifies Sheila’s guilt as her enjoyment of life is at the expense of others.
Eva Smith Exploitation Quote
“Renton”
Arguably, the name “Renton” is dervived from the verb “to rent”, a euphemism for prostitution in the early 20th Century. Priestley uses this change in name to mark Eva being forced to change her approach to surviving in a hostile society.
She can no longer survive by working hard and therefore she must go against her own moral principles to survive, engaging in prostitution.
Eva Smith Exploitation Quote 2
“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.
Eva Smith Capitalism vs Socialism Quote
“[unhappily] give thousands - yes, thousands –”
Eva is a working class woman and suffers because of it, beginning with being fired after asking for a living wage, which is a reasonable request. For the benefit of those who profit from capitalism, the strikers are not protected and therefore are exploited. However, Mr Birling’s stinginess is soon resolved when there is a chance of criminal prosecution.
Eva Smith Capitalism vs Socialism Quote 2
“With dignity] we’ve done a great deal of useful work for deserving cases”
Priestley’s use of the stage direction “with dignity” suggests that Mrs Birling’s role is not held out of care or compassion for the poor, but as a way to gain influence and status. Mrs Birling claims that the financial aid is reserved only for “deserving cases”, a decision made at the discretion of the upper classes, reflecting how the lives of the working classes are controlled by the wealthy.
Eva Smith Hypocrisy Quote
“a girl of that sort would (not) ever refuse money” //
“impertinence (in claiming to be Mrs Birling)” Il “one of the things that prejudiced me against her”
Mrs Birling is prejudiced against Eva’s story due to her class, rather than against Eva as an individual.
She even admits to this when pointing out Eva’s ‘impertinence” (in claiming to be Mrs Birling) as “one of the things that prejudiced me against her’. The 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.
Eva’s attempt to strike saw her fired and even the institutes meant to help those in her position are prejudiced against her.
Eva Smith Hypocrisy Quote 2
“a girl of that sort would (not) ever refuse money”
Mrs Birling claims that “a girl of that sort would (not) ever refuse money”, as she assumes that due money
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.”
Eva Smith Hypocrisy Quote 3
“very pretty” and having
“big dark eyes” //
“leave after a strike” and “said something about the shop too”
Gerald tries to alleviate his and the other characters’ responsibility by claiming that Eva was many different girls, rather than the same one. 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 eyes”. 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”. This makes it profoundly clear that the characters are denying the Inspector’s accusations for their own benefit
- so they can continue to live their materialistic lives without taking responsibility or trying to change.
