Character Analysis of Eva Smith in 'An Inspector Calls'

First Impressions of Eva Smith

• Character in Context:
  • Eva Smith’s identity remains ambiguous in the play, symbolizing the universal oppression faced by women and the lower classes in early 20th century society.
  • Each character’s interaction culminates in Eva's tragic suicide.
  • Key interactions influencing Eva:
  • Mr. Birling: Fired Eva for striking for fair wages.
  • Sheila: Instrumental in Eva’s dismissal from Milwards.
  • Gerald: Had a relationship with Eva, offering temporary refuge.
  • Eric: Fathered her child and later exploited her.
  • Mrs. Birling: Denied her charity support due to her status and situation.
• Death Description:
  • Committed suicide via drinking disinfectant, representing her desperation and the culmination of class oppression.

Symbolism of Eva

• Name Significance:

  • Eva as a reference to Eve from the Bible; symbolizes life and paradoxically her death signifies the surrender of that life.
  • Surname Smith: Common surname represents the universal struggles of the working class.

• Daisy Renton:

  • Indicates Eva's need to adapt and change for survival in a hostile environment.
  • "Renton": Derived from 'rent' suggesting prostitution, highlighting her desperate socioeconomic conditions.

The Impact of Eva’s Death

• Consequences for Characters:

  • Eva’s suicide starkly illustrates the severe effects of capitalist attitudes and individualism among the privileged classes.
  • Use of graphic imagery to enhance guilt and evoke empathy from the audience, forcing them to confront the pain caused to the working class.

• Disinfectant Symbolism:

  • Represents a forced cleansing from a life of pain, suggesting Eva's death was both personal and socially significant, linking back to Christian beliefs about sin and suicide.

Role of the Inspector

• Focus on Eva’s Story:
  • Underscores that poor working-class lives are narrated and judged by the upper classes, emphasizing society's neglect.
  • Audience Reflection: Encourages the audience to recognize their potential impact on similar individuals and the need for collective responsibility.

Parallels Between Characters

• Connection to Sheila:
  • Both characters embody different outcomes based on social class; Sheila enjoys privileges while Eva suffers profoundly.
  • Their similar physical descriptions juxtapose their divergent experiences to critique societal inequality.

Gender and Class Oppression

• Patriarchal Exploitation:

  • Men project their depravity onto Eva - use and abuse her without recognizing her humanity.
  • Objectification: Eva is reduced to her utility in satisfying male desires, seen as 'cheap labor' or merely 'a good sport'.

• Gerald’s Relationship with Eva:

  • A superficial rescue that masks his exploitative desires; even in kindness, he is ultimately self-serving.
  • Emotional Responses: Gerald’s hesitant acknowledgment of his guilt shows the tension between his feelings and societal norms regarding masculinity.

Critique of Capitalism

• Victim of Society:
  • Eva’s experiences offer a microcosm of capitalist failures highlighting injustices against those who strive for fair treatment and wages.
• Mrs. Birling as a symbol:
  • Represents the moral hypocrisy of the upper class who leverage their social positions to deny support based on prejudice.

Overall Themes and Messages

• Individualism vs Social Responsibility:

  • Eva’s death serves to warn of individualism's fatal consequences; emphasizes the need for social awareness and responsibility.

• Necessity for Welfare State:

  • Illustrates the imperative for systemic change to prevent suffering of the working class, reflecting evolving social attitudes post-WWII.

• Subversion of Class Stereotypes:

  • Priestley challenges views on poverty, presenting Eva as hardworking and principled, countering the stereotype of the lazy poor.

Relevant Quotes for Analysis

• "There are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths": Universalizes the plight of the working class.
• "died in misery and agony – hating life": Elicits empathy and highlights the characters' culpability in her suffering.
• "Renton": Marks Eva's adaptation to survive, highlighting society's hostility towards the lower classes.
• "a girl of that sort would [not] ever refuse money": Contrasts Eva's integrity with the assumptions of the upper classes.
• "I – well, I’ve suddenly realised – taken it in properly – that she’s dead": Gerald’s mixed emotions reveal the inner conflict he faces upon realizing the truth of their relationship.

Concluding Remarks

• Collective Responsibility: Through Eva’s life and death, Priestley advocates for a shared responsibility in addressing societal inequalities.
• Call for Change: His portrayal of Eva highlights the transformative power of social reform and collective action against systemic injustices.