Eva Smith/Daisy Renton

• Eva


  Eva is Latin for Eve. In the Bible, Eve the first woman. She ate the forbidden apple and in doing so cursed mankind for eternity. In this biblical tale, Eve is betrayed and plagued by ill-fortune.

  Eva is similar, as she is betrayed by mankind. She is forced to suffer a destitute life filled with sadness and suffering because of her lowly position in society.

  Eva is banished for showing independence and a lack of deference (like Eve) Eve is a symbol of Man’s downfall. Eva brings about the downfall of the Birlings.
• Smith

  The combination of the first woman and the most common surname signifies that Eva is an every-woman figure. Her common surname is indicative of her common roots. She acts as a symbol of the poor, underprivileged under class.  The name ‘Smith’ alludes to a worker – goldsmith, blacksmith – again reinforcing her working-class common roots
• Daisy 


  The combination of the first woman and the most common surname signifies that Eva is an every-woman figure. Her common surname is indicative of her common roots. She acts as a symbol of the poor, underprivileged under class. The name ‘Smith’ alludes to a worker – goldsmith, blacksmith – again reinforcing her working-class common roots
• Renton


  Shows that she is for ‘rent’ – she’s expendable. Links to Gerald’s language ‘install’ and ‘business’. Mr Birling rents her as a worker – she is merely ‘cheap labour’ who can be easily replaced. She is not seen as a person; she is part of the under-class work force who can be dehumanised, mistreated and underpaid in order to create ‘lower costs and higher prices’. Rent also reminds us of how Eva is forced to rent her body in order to survive. She is rented by the bourgeoisie as a plaything.
• "She'd a lot to say"

  Eva is portrayed as modern and progressive. It could be argued that she is a symbol of the women’s movement. She challenges gender stereotypes and class hierarchies. Mr Birling feels threatened by this, so silences her. 
• "Soft brown hair and big dark eyes"

  Noun ‘girl’ and adjective ‘soft’ emphasise her vulnerability.  She is judged on appearances. Her attractiveness is referred to often to show that the ruling classes only notice the working classes if there is something remarkable about them.

  The repeated description of her eyes in the play is almost animalistic and creates the sense that the Birlings are predators and she is the helpless prey.