Eva Smith

Eva Smith

1. Gerald Croft

   • Had an affair with Eva/Daisy during the Summer; Sheila believed he was working.
   • Emotionally abused her
   • Left her when he felt like it.
   • Kept as a mistress
     • "I became the most important person in her life - you understand?"
       • Gerald sees the working class women as something, instead of a normal person, as he doesn't consider Eva's emotions during the affair.
   • Gerald sees her as something he could use.
     • "She looked young and fresh."

2. Sheila Birling

   • Got her fired from her second job; Milwards, as Eva looked better than Sheila did in a dress.
     • Caused her to have no source of income.
     • "Now she had to try something else."
       • Potentially referring to prostitution.
   • Judged her based on her own insecurities
   • Inspector: "You might be said to have been jealous of her." Sheila: "Yes, I suppose so."
     • Sheila is the only character in the play to have a large change towards Eva's character, as she was originally angry, yet begins to feel sympathetic.
       • Priestley did this as it shows how the younger generation are the most important, as they are capable of changing their ways.

3. Eric Birling

   • Saw her as an object he could use when he liked.
     • "I wasn't in love with her or anything."
     • "I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty."
       • When Eric says this, the audience may see that he has never done anything like this before, yet he believes that it is the correct way to treat working class women; due to his upbringing.
   • Pregnant with Eric's child
   • Refused to Marry him

4. Mrs Birling

   • Eva went to Mrs Birling for help , yet she was turned away.
   • "girl of that class."
     • This instantly tells us that Mrs Birling has no respect for working class women. Priestley makes Sybil act this way, to show that the older generations have outdated capitalist views.
   • Believed that Eva was a liar for using the 'Birling' name when asking for help, making her prejudiced against her case
   • Last one in the family to see Eva/Daisy.
     • After her case was dismissed, Eva committed suicide by drinking disinfectant.

5. Mr Birling

   • Removed from work as she asked for more money.
     • "She'd had a lot to say - far too much - so she had to go."
     • "The four of five ringleaders, who'd started the trouble."
   • Cares little for his employees.
   • "Yes yes horrid business, but I don't understand why you should come here."
     • When Mr Birling says this, the audience can see his lack of interest and sympathy for Eva.
       • Priestley did this to show that the older generations only care about themselves or other wealthy people in society, which was what Priestley believed needed to change.
   • Hypocrite.
     • Wanted Gerald to marry Sheila, as she was a "young unmarried girl" yet so was Eva.

6. "A pretty, lively sort of girl, who never did anybody no harm, but she died in misery and agony - hating life."

   • Eva has not done anything wrong; perfect.
   • Contrasting sentence, life against death.
   • Stands up for what is right.

7. Abused by people with power,