eva smith/daisy renton

• “She was a lively, good-looking girl.”


  Through Gerald’s description of Eva, Priestley draw attention to the objectification she faces. This superficial assessment reduces her to her appearance, reflecting the dismissive attitude upper-class men had towards women of her class. Priestley uses this description to critique a society that views lower class women as commodities for male pleasure. In a 1945 context, this would have highlighted the need for a society that respects women as individuals with dignity, rather than judging them for their looks or status.
• “She had a lot to say – far too much – so she had to go.”


  Mr Birling’s justification for firing Eva reveals his intolerance for workers asserting themselves. Priestley uses this line to criticise the capitalist power structures that suppress working class voices, condemning workers to unfair treatment and exploitation. For a 1945 audience, familiar sith the efforts of labor unions and the value of collective bargaining, Eva’s dismissal would represent a gross injustice and demonstrate the need for greater workers’ rights and protections
• “She was young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful.”


  Gerald’s description of Daisy highlights the vulnerability and desperation she feels in her circumstances. His phrasing also implies that her gratitude makes her more agreeable to him, revealing his self-serving views of helping her as a means of gratifying his own desires. Priestley critiques the way the upper classes view charity as transaction rather than a sincere act of compassion. For a post-war audience, the emphasis on gratitude as a tool for manipulation would reflect the need for genuine empathy in society.
• “She felt there’d never be anything as good again.”


  This shows Eva’s emotional attachment to Gerald and her hope for a better life, despite the precariousness of her situation. By investing her hopes in Gerald, she symbolises the desperation of the working class to escape poverty, even when relying on fragile relationships. Priestley uses this to highlight the exploitation in such relationships, where the upper class holds power over the hopes of the vulnerable. 1945 audiences would recognise the dangers of placing faith in a class-based system that offers no security for people like Eva.
• “Girls of that class—”


  Mrs Birling’s dismissive phrase reflects her prejudice against the working class and her refusal to empathise with Eva’s struggles. By reducing Eva to her class, Mrs Birling dehumanises her, justifying her refusal to help Eva as if she were inherently unworthy. Priestley uses this to illustrate how entrenched class prejudices perpetuate suffering and uphold inequality. For audiences after WWII, who were moving towards a more equal society. Mrs Birling’s attitude served as a warning against the classist views that caused so much harm.
• “She was alone, friendless, almost penniless, desperate.”


  The Inspector’s description of Eva underscores her utter isolation and lack of support. Priestley contrasts Eva’s vulnerable position with the Birlings’ wealth and security, emphasising the cruelty of their actions. By portraying her this way, Priestley appeals to the audience’s sympathy, showing how society fails its most vulnerable members. A 1945 audience, familiar with the struggles of war, would feel the weight of her plight, reinforcing Priestley’s message about the need for a more compassionate, supportive society.
• “She was in great agony.”


  The Inspector’s description of Eva’s death emphasises the physical and emotional suffering she endured. By highlighting her ‘agony’, Priestley confronts the audience with the brutal consequences of the Birlings’ actions. This graphic detail forces both the characters and the audience to confront the human cost of neglect and exploitation. A 1945 audience, who had experienced the devastation of war, would understand the Inspector’s message about the impact of cruelty and indifference on human lives.
• “There are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us.”


  The Inspector’s assertion that “millions” of people share Eva’s plight broadens her story, making her a symbol for the countless others facing exploitation and injustice. Priestley uses Eva’s experiences to represent the struggles of the working class, showing that her suffering is not an isolated case but part of a systemic issue. For a 1945 audience, this would resonate deeply, serving as a reminder of the need for a fairer society where people are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of class.
• “A nice little promising life there, I thought, and a nasty mess somebody’s made of it.”


  The Inspector’s reflection on Eva’s lost potential underscores the tragic waste of a young life cut short by a lack of opportunity and support. Priestley highlights how Eva’s “promising” future is destroyed by the actions of others, symbolizing the wasted potential of many who are denied a fair chance. In the post-war context, where rebuilding society was a priority, the Inspector’s words would reinforce the importance of nurturing every individual’s potential, regardless of class.
• “Remember what you did to her.”


  The Inspector’s command to remember emphasizes the need for accountability and reflection. Rather than allowing the Birlings to move on without consequence, he forces them to confront their complicity in Eva’s fate. Priestley uses this to drive his message that everyone’s actions have moral weight and that ignoring one’s impact on others is a failure of character. For audiences in 1945, who had seen the consequences of ignoring responsibility, this call to “remember” would resonate as a demand for a more reflective, conscientious society.