The Significance of Eva Smith in "An Inspector Calls
An Inspector Calls:
Eva Smith
Although she
doesn’t physically
appear in the play,
you could be asked
a question about
the presentation of
Eva Smith.
Explore the
presentation
and significance
of Eva Smith in
‘An Inspector
Calls’.
What would you
write?
An Inspector Calls:
Eva Smith
She isn’t
physically
there, but her
presence is
felt…
She is the shadow
hanging over the
entire of the
Birling family…
She can be felt even over
the first few pages before
the Inspector arrives…
An Inspector Calls:
Eva Smith
Eva Smith
Similar to ‘Eve’ from
Genesis. Biblical Eve
corrupted men
‘Smith’ is the most
common surname in
the UK
Relatable – emphasises the millions of
people she represents in the lower classes
An Inspector Calls:
Eva Smith
Daisy Renton
‘Daisy’ – a soft,
delicate and common
flower
‘Renton’ – begins
with ‘rent’ –
prostitution?
Her soft, delicate nature is still present,
but she is being ruined by society.
An Inspector Calls:
Eva Smith
“Pretty”
Her looks:
“Soft brown hair”
Overall, we aren’t told much…
“Big brown eyes”
…but
WHY
?
An Inspector Calls:
Eva Smith
Mr Birling
“Lively, good-
looking girl”
Sheila
“A change from
the factory”
Gerald
“Young and fresh
and charming”
Mrs Birling
“Girls of that
class”
Eric
“She wasn’t the
usual sort”
Inspector
“there are
millions of Eva
Smiths”
An Inspector Calls:
Eva Smith
A warning
Her role?
Driver for social
change
Driver for personal
change
Vehicle for
Priestley’s views
Momentum
An Inspector Calls:
Eva Smith
Women’s bodies became
a site of conflict with
authorities.
The Suffragette Movement
(began in 1903)
Women were banned
from public places to
stop them sharing their
radical ideas.
What can we link this to?
In 1912, the Parliamentary Franchise (Women) Bill was
introduced and defeated, leading to violent protests
An Inspector Calls:
Eva Smith
Killed herself with disinfectant
Her death:
Cleansing herself of the corruption she has had to
swallow
A metaphor for her body being violated
Violent and painful death – a martyr (much like the
suffragettes)
An Inspector Calls:
Eva Smith
Constantly exploited (especially by men)
Summary:
Representative of the lower class
Used as a warning to learn from lessons
Representative of the manipulation of women
Reminder of morality and humanity
An Inspector Calls:
Planning an Eva Smith
Question
INSPECTOR:
there are millions of Eva Smiths and John
Smiths in the world…
Discuss the significance of the character of Eva Smith
in ‘An Inspector Calls’.
Plan a response to the question above.
Eva Smith is a crucial character in "An Inspector Calls" despite her absence on stage. She symbolizes the shadow looming over the Birling family, representing the lower classes and societal issues. Similar to Biblical Eve, Eva Smith's portrayal highlights the plight of millions. Her character serves as a catalyst for social and personal change, echoing the Suffragette Movement's struggles for women's rights in early 20th-century England.
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Presentation Transcript
An Inspector Calls: Eva Smith Although she doesn t physically appear in the play, you could be asked a question about the presentation of Eva Smith. Calls . Explore the presentation and significance of Eva Smith in An Inspector What would you write?
An Inspector Calls: Eva Smith She isn t physically there, but her presence is felt She is the shadow hanging over the entire of the Birling family She can be felt even over the first few pages before the Inspector arrives
An Inspector Calls: Eva Smith Eva Smith Similar to Eve from Genesis. Biblical Eve corrupted men Smith is the most common surname in the UK Relatable emphasises the millions of people she represents in the lower classes
An Inspector Calls: Eva Smith Daisy Renton Daisy a soft, delicate and common flower Renton begins with rent prostitution? Her soft, delicate nature is still present, but she is being ruined by society.
An Inspector Calls: Eva Smith Soft brown hair Her looks: Pretty Big brown eyes Overall, we aren t told much but WHY?
An Inspector Calls: Eva Smith Mr Birling Lively, good- looking girl Eric Sheila A change from the factory She wasn t the usual sort Inspector there are millions of Eva Smiths Gerald Mrs Birling Girls of that class Young and fresh and charming
An Inspector Calls: Eva Smith Driver for social change Her role? A warning Momentum Driver for personal change Vehicle for Priestley s views
An Inspector Calls: Eva Smith The Suffragette Movement (began in 1903) Women were banned from public places to stop them sharing their radical ideas. Women s bodies became a site of conflict with authorities. In 1912, the Parliamentary Franchise (Women) Bill was introduced and defeated, leading to violent protests What can we link this to?
An Inspector Calls: Eva Smith Her death: Killed herself with disinfectant Cleansing herself of the corruption she has had to swallow Violent and painful death a martyr (much like the suffragettes) A metaphor for her body being violated
An Inspector Calls: Eva Smith Summary: Constantly exploited (especially by men) Representative of the lower class Representative of the manipulation of women Used as a warning to learn from lessons Reminder of morality and humanity
An Inspector Calls: Planning an Eva Smith Question INSPECTOR:there are millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths in the world Discuss the significance of the character of Eva Smith in An Inspector Calls . Plan a response to the question above.
