Eva Smith in 'An Inspector Calls': representation and symbolism | English

Starter quiz

After Eva Smith gets fired in an 'An Inspector Calls', she changes her name. What does she change her name to?

'Daisy Renton' ✓
The word 'sympathetic' can be described as:

Showing a lack of interest in others' feelings.

Showing understanding and care for others' problems. ✓

Being indifferent to other people's emotions.

Demonstrating anger or frustration towards someone.
These plot points focus on Eva Smith's journey in 'An Inspector Calls'. Put the narrative in the correct chronological order.

1

⇔

Eva is fired from Birling’s factory for leading a wage protest.

2

⇔

She finds work at Milwards but is dismissed after Sheila’s complaint.

3

⇔

She changes her name to Daisy Renton, seeking a fresh start.

4

⇔

Gerald shelters her but later ends their affair, leaving her adrift.

5

⇔

She struggles financially and turns to the charity for help.

6

⇔

Mrs Birling denies her aid, worsening her desperation.

7

⇔

Alone and destitute, she takes her own life with disinfectant.
Match the characters from 'An Inspector Calls' to the correct description of their relationship to Eva Smith.

Mr Birling

⇔

Fired her after a minor complaint. ✓

Gerald

⇔

Had an affair and then abandoned her. ✓

Mrs Birling

⇔

Rejected her when she sought help. ✓

Eric Birling

⇔

Took advantage of her vulnerability. ✓

The Inspector

⇔

Investigates her death, seeking accountabiltiy. ✓

Sheila Birling

⇔

Used her status to get Eva fired out of jealousy ✓
In 'An Inspector Calls' which character refers to Eva Smith as a "sort" of girl.

The Inspector

Eric Birling

Mr Birling

Mrs Birling ✓

Gerald Croft
Symbolism can be described as:

using characters to represent ideas or qualities ✓

using literary techniques

using emotive language to affect an audience

using the weather to convey emotion

Exit quiz

Which word beginning with 'p' can be described as 'a statement or situation that seems contradictory or impossible but may actually reveal a truth when examined more closely'.

'paradox' ✓
In 'An Inspector Calls' which word does the Inspector repeat to emphasise the vast scale of social inequality?

many

hundreds

thousands

millions ✓
In the Inspector's final speech in 'An Inspector Calls', he uses a male name alongside Eva's. What is that name? ______ Smith

'John' ✓
In 'An Inspector Calls' which words does the Inspector use to describe Eva's death?

peace

agony ✓

misery ✓

hopeful
Which answer best explains why Priestley chooses to keep Eva Smith offstage in 'An Inspector Calls'?

to make her a mysterious character

to highlight the invisibility of the working class ✓

to keep focus on the other characters

to create suspense
In 'An Inspector Calls', both Gerald and Sheila describe Eva as...

a good "worker"

"good-looking"

"pretty" ✓

"innocent"

"defiant"

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Eva represents working-class women, symbolising their struggles with class, gender, and inequality in Edwardian society.
Eva Smith’s 'absent presence' emphasises her dual role as a powerless victim and a symbolic critique of society.
Priestley constructs Eva’s character through the attitudes and language of others.
Eva is constructed as a victim of societal expectations.
Arguably, Priestley constructs Eva as a sympathetic character to evoke a response from the audience

Common misconception

Eva Smith doesn’t have dialogue and therefore she can’t be analysed in depth.

Eva’s lack of dialogue actually makes her more powerful to analyse. Her silence and absence force the audience to focus on how others speak about her.

Keywords

Construct - to create or build an image or understanding of something
Anguish - severe pain, suffering, or distress, often emotional or mental
Symbolism - the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities
Oppress - treat people or groups unfairly or cruelly, often by limiting their rights, freedom, or opportunities
Paradox - a statement or situation that seems contradictory or impossible but may actually reveal a truth when examined more closely