How Is Eva Smith Presented In An Inspector Calls

John Boynton Priestley, the well-known socialist dramatist, used his character Eva Smith to shed a light on social classes and sexism in the 1910s through his 3-acts-play “an inspector calls”.

Eva Smith’s identity does not get revealed in the play; however, she symbolizes the struggles of many people due to the oppressions of higher upper social classes and the extreme sexism and double-standardization women were facing at the time. Eva Smith remains mysterious as she was also named Daisy Renton and Mrs. Birling, it's also unrevealed if all three are in fact the same person or not, however, she still represents many controversial topics. Eva smith is first introduced as a young woman who died in the infirmary because she'd swallowed a lot of

“I’ve got to cover this up Until every penny of that money you stole is repaid, you'll work for nothing.” Arthur Birling also repeatedly lashes out at Inspector Goole saying “You’re not telling the truth!” which shows how he refuses to be slightly disrespected by anyone just because he’s a business owner from the upper class. Eva Smith, jobless, found another job opportunity at a good clothing store where Sheila Birling often shops. Sheila and Eva being around the same age serves the purpose of providing parallelism for the audience. The only difference between Sheila and Eva was their social

classes which was the main reason behind Eva taking her own life. Sheila’s jealousy and self- consciousness were the reason behind Eva being fired once again from her job which is shown in this questioning of the inspector to Sheila, “you might be said to have been jealous of her?” “Yes, I suppose so.”. The awfully harsh beauty standards expected from women were reflecting on how sexist societies were in the 20th century, Eva could've kept her job if it weren't for Sheila’s insecurities and demand of feeling powerful and authoritative. Sheila being from an upper social class did whatsoever gave her enough authority to slip Eva’s job away from

Even though Eric seems like the most truthful, decent person in his family at the beginning of the play, “He could have kept her on instead of throwing her out”, it’s later revealed that he hurt Eva the most through his recklessness and constant drinking. Eric forcefully fornicates with Eva and impregnates her in a drunken state, “I was in that state when a chap easily gets nasty”; trying to fix what he’s done leads him to steal money from his father to be able to provide for her and his child, and proposes to marry her- which she rejected as she knew he did not love her and she treated him and perceived him as a little kid.

The last nail in Eva Smith’s coffin was hammered by Sybil Birling, she was Eva’s last hope and Sybil successfully let her down. After getting impregnated by Eric, Eva goes to a charitable trust of which Sybil is a member of. Sybil harshly mocks Eva after she gives her full blame for what has happened to her, “I’m very sorry. But I think she had only herself to blame”. Eva then loses hope in life, and she commits suicide since nobody was leaning her a helping