EVA SMITH

• EVA}

  1. Eve was the first woman - adam and eve -> commited first sin
  2. represents all of working class women -> MICROCOSM
• SMITH}


  1. Most common english surname -> anyone
  2. common working name [ e.g. blacksmith] which represents vulnerable and prejudice & struggle.
• "DAISY RENTON"}


  -DAISY>

  1. Common female name
  2. "Flower" > common - suggests that she is very pretty
  3. also suggests that they are picked out of the ground - exploitation.

  -RENTON>

  1. "Rent" > making money/selling ->> suggests that she is in jobs for prostitution
  2. "On" > looking - starting
• LINK W EDNA [MAID]

  -Edna appears on stage very rarely - lacks a clear voice.

  [EDNA:]

  1. Servant
  2. Ignored by the family unless they need her
  3. responds to her employers' formally. e.g. "Sir" & "ma'am"

  * this indicates a difference in status.

  -Represents the powerless working class women with fewer rights in society.
• Eva's role:

  CHARACTER OF MORALITY-

  Powerless woman - fewer rights in society

  • this symbolises how working classes play large roles in wealth of upper classes -> invisible
• EVA'S IMPORTANTCE:

  • microcosm of voiceless lower-classes
  • martyr for social change & socialism
  • her death inspires change in Eric & Sheila
  • DEAD - SPOKEN ABOUT > NEVER ACC SPEAKS

  -> Central character } the entire plot in the play revolves around EVA
• LIFE 4 LOWER CLASS WOMEN:

  • DOMINANCE OF MEN } Birling as her employer & Eric forcing himself on her
  • TREATED LIKE SEXUAL OBJECTS} Joe Meggarty's advances & Eric and Gerald's using [want] her for sex
  • DIFFICULTY IN BEING SELF-SUFFICIENT} unemployed & hungry - dependant on Gerald for money and support
  • PREJUDICE} Mrs B prejudiced her bc she was pregnant, unmarried and called herself as someone in the higher class
• SUMMARY OF CHARACTER

  *Central part of play- never speaks/ shown on stage

  • Her story is replayed through the diary she left.
  • Her story is told by the INSPECTOR to highlight her powerlessness & lack of status in society
  • moral character - Gerald, Sheila & MRB comment on her looks
  • has a strong sense of fairness and equality - shown through 'strike'