Eva Smith Flashcards
(5 cards)
Eva Smith
all quotes
‘burnt her inside out’
‘twenty-four’
‘Both her parents were dead’
‘a good worker’
‘twenty-five shillings a week’
‘all she wanted was to talk’
‘she knew it couldn’t last’
‘couldn’t be any question of marrying him’
‘We are members of one body’
‘there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths’
Eva Smith
1st point & quotations
Brutal suicide, ‘burnt her inside out’ grotesque image of disinfectant, pathos as she was same age as Sheila ‘twenty-four’ contrast due to class, self-dependent ‘Both her parents were dead’ isolated, vulnerable, hard upbringing, contrasts Sheila as they both similar age yet face different struggles due to difference in class ‘a good worker’ determined to make a living, tenacious, asked for ‘twenty-five shillings a week’
Eva Smith
2nd point & quotations
Desperate after two jobs, new identity for new start, found in Palace Bar ‘all she wanted was to talk’ finds comfort in Gerald, lack of loved ones, desires romance and safety, ended abruptly but ‘she knew it couldn’t last’ presumes the worst, loses hope after, sorrowful
Eva Smith
3rd point & quotations
Resilient, brave to ask for help at Mrs Birling’s charity, referred to as ‘a girl of that class’ class prejudice from Mrs B, suicide was a last resort ‘couldn’t be any question of marrying him’ shows maturity as she thinks marriage should be based on mutual love, juxtaposes Sheila at start of play, very moral despite desperate situation as refuses stolen money, hagiographic figure
Eva Smith
4th point & quotations
Represents the working class, Eva’s story if similar to many others, ‘millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths’ traidic repetition enhances the number of lower class citizens in need of understanding and compassion, everyone should be treated with respect ‘We are members of one body’ possessive pronouns, collective effort, Priestley’s socialist views mirrored by Inspector, didactic message