Eva Smith Character Analysis

Eva Smith is a central yet unseen character in J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls". Her story is pieced together through the revelations of the other characters, painting a picture of a young woman who faced numerous hardships and injustices.

Quote: "One Eva Smith has gone but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us."

This quote from Inspector Goole emphasizes Eva's symbolic nature, representing countless working-class individuals struggling in society.

Highlight: Eva Smith's character serves as a powerful device to explore themes of social responsibility and the interconnectedness of society.

Eva's background is described as follows:

Quote: "Both her parents were dead, she hadn't a penny and was going to be turned out of the miserable back room she had."

This description underscores Eva's vulnerable position in society, highlighting the challenges faced by orphaned and impoverished young women of her time.

Eva's work ethic and ambition are evident in her actions:

Quote: "They wanted the rates raised so that they could average about twenty-five shillings a week."

This shows Eva as a hard-working individual who sought fair compensation for her labor, challenging the exploitative practices of her employers.

The play reveals various aspects of Eva's personality through her interactions with different characters:

1. Resilient: Despite facing multiple setbacks, Eva continually sought to improve her situation.

2. Principled: She refused to accept stolen money from Eric Birling, demonstrating her moral integrity.

3. Vulnerable: Her desperate circumstances led her to seek help from Mrs. Birling's charity, showing her in a moment of extreme need.

Example: Eva's refusal to continue a relationship with Gerald Croft, knowing it couldn't last, demonstrates her realistic outlook on life.

Eva's tragic fate serves as a catalyst for the other characters' self-examination:

Quote: "She knew it couldn't last - hadn't expected it to last."

This line reveals Eva's understanding of her precarious position in society and her relationships with those of higher social status.

In conclusion, Eva Smith's character in "An Inspector Calls" is a powerful tool used by Priestley to examine social injustice, moral responsibility, and the far-reaching consequences of individual actions. Her story challenges the other characters – and by extension, the audience – to consider their own roles in perpetuating or challenging societal inequalities.