How is Eva Smith presented as vulnerable?
How is Eva Smith presented as vulnerable?
Eva is vulnerable because she is a working class woman. Even though as an individual she is strong and assertive, her position in society means she has no powerand faces discrimination from others. Priestley implies the systems of class and power in British society are exploited by the upper classes.
How is Eva Smith treated in an inspector calls?
The Inspector explains how Eva Smith went away to be ‘quiet’ and to ‘remember’. These words clearly show that Eva was emotionally sensitive. The fact she also felt that ‘there’d never be anything as good again for her’ make us realise how devastated she was when Gerald ended their relationship.
How much did Eva Smith ask for?
Arthur describes why he dismissed Eva: she was the normal wage, but joined with other laborers to ask for a raise of three shillings a week. Arthur would not grant this, saying it would cut into profits.
Why did Eva Smith kill herself?
Eva Smith is killed by the selfishness of others. She was dismissed from her first job at Birlings for protestsing for worker’s rights, then sacked from her job at Milwards at the whim of Sheila Birling. She loses her virtue to the predatory but weak Gerald Croft and becomes pregnant by the spineless Eric Birling.
Did Eva Smith really die?
An inspector arrives at the Birling house. He tells them how a girl called Eva Smith has killed herself by drinking disinfectant – he wants to ask them some questions. The Inspector reveals that the girl used to work in Arthur Birling’s factory and he had her sacked for going on strike.
Did the inspector kill Eva Smith?
After he left the Birling household Inspector Goole killed Eva Smith and framed it to seem like a suicide.
Who is to blame for Eva Smith’s death in an inspector calls?
Mrs Birling
Is Inspector Goole a God?
Another explanation given is that Goole is an angel sent from God to deliver the truth about the Birlings’ lives. Those who do not believe that the inspector is actually sent from god, but believe he has a religious connection think he may be someone who believed the family should be taught a religious message.
What does the ending of An Inspector Calls mean?
Perhaps this reflects Priestley’s aim for the audience to think about the play’s social message. The ending of ‘An Inspector Calls’ is a strong statement of the responsibility of those who seek money and social rank at the expense of humanity. It is strongly didactic and powerful.
Why use a fake inspector in An Inspector Calls?
Inspector Goole sheds a light on all the concerns that Priestley had at the time of writing An Inspector Calls around age, gender, class and social responsibility. Priestley uses the Inspector to make the audience question their own behaviour and morality and hopes that they will learn some lessons as the Birlings do.
What does Eva Smith represent?
Eva smith, represents not only responsibility but forces the Birling family to feel and accept their guilt. She is the symbol of the working class within a capitalist society; ‘smith’ being a common surname represents the common working man and more specifically woman.
Which character says Arthur you’re not supposed to say such things?
Mr Birling
Who says we are members of one body?
Priestley. An Inspector Calls “We don’t live alone. We are all members of one body.
What did Eric do to Eva Smith?
It turns out that Eric had an affair with Eva Smith and that she was pregnant with Eric’s baby when she committed suicide. Eric stole money from his father’s business to help Eva. In the final act Eric makes an emotional attack on his parents and their values and shows that he can be assertive.
How much money does Eric admit to have given Eva in total?
Eva, Eric says, did not want him to marry her; she told him that he did not love her. Eric gave her money to keep her going—until she refused to take any more money. The Inspector asks Eric how much he gave her, and he replies that it was about fifty pounds.
Can I drink the first Eric?
“Eric is in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half-shy, half assertive.” Quotes: “He could have kept her on instead of throwing her out.” “Well I think it’s a damn shame.” “You know don’t you?” “Could I have a drink first?” “I was a bit squiffy.”
Who does Eric blame for Eva’s death?
At this moment, Eric enters the room again. Eric confesses that he got Eva Smith pregnant and that he stole money from his father’s firm to support her. Eric learns that his mother had refused to help Eva Smith. He blames his mother for Eva’s death.
Who is least responsible for Eva Smith’s death?
Eric Birling
What is Eric and Eva’s baby symbolic of?
Eva and Eric’s baby could be symbolic of a bridge between the upper and lower classes. It has the power to bring them two classes together and yet Mrs Birling destroys the baby because she is only interested in self preservation.
Why does Eva Smith change her name to Daisy Renton?
Society accepts Eva so long as she plays by the patriarchal rules; if she does not, she is banished, as Eve was from the Garden of Eden. Eva chooses to change her name to ‘Daisy’ to give herself a fresh start.
Why is Eva Smith the most important character?
Eva Smith is the most important character in ‘An Inspector Calls’ in my opinion. She is used as a tool by Priestley, to show us how the capitalists treat others and how they don’t care about others and how they think they have power over others in the low working class.
What do we learn about Eric from his Behaviour at the dinner party?
What do we learn about Eric from his behaviour at the dinner party? We learn that Eric drinks too much and that he can be shy and awkward in company. How do Mr Birling’s comments help you to understand attitudes among many of the wealthy before the First World War.
How does Eric change throughout the play?
Eric has changed through the Inspector’s visit and now understands the society around him; the audience can see him shifting through his cry to God – a symbol of his utter regret and remorse. The audience can feel his presence on stage and the didactic lesson of social responsibility resonates with them.
What does Gerald Croft represent?
He represents the selfish attitudes of the upper class. He played a key part in the ‘chain of events’, contributing to the death of Eva Smith. He lets the audience down; we had hope that he would change his attitudes, but he doesn’t.
What is Gerald Croft personality?
He has had a privileged upbringing being the son of wealthy businessman Sir George, and his wife Lady Croft. He takes his social status for granted and can be seen as arrogant and aloof. He appears pleased with himself and relaxed; the opposite of Eric.
Does Gerald Croft accept responsibility?
Gerald is exhibited as less flexible and less impressionablethan Sheila and Eric in his convictions, however he does accept his own responsibility.
How did Eva Smith die in Inspector Calls?
He tells them how a girl called Eva Smith has killed herself by drinking disinfectant – he wants to ask them some questions. The Inspector reveals that the girl used to work in Arthur Birling’s factory and he had her sacked for going on strike. Mr Birling refuses to accept any responsibility for her death.
Why was Eva dismissed from Birling?
The Inspector shows Mr Birling a photograph of Eva Smith. Mr Birling admits he employed her in his factory but sacked her for demanding higher wages. Sheila is shown the photograph and realises that she had Eva Smith sacked from her next job as a shop assistant, because she thought Eva Smith laughed at her.
How did Eric treat Eva Smith?
What is the importance of Eric Birling in An Inspector Calls?
Eric represents the younger generation of a social class that is self-indulgent and spoiled. In this sense, he becomes an almost willing victim of its uncaring and supercilious attitude. He is raised in this society and the natural consequence is that he adopts its values.
Who does Gerald Croft represent?
How does Eric act towards Eva when he goes with her to her lodgings?
how does eric act towards eva when he goes with her to her lodgings? he threatened to make a row when she said she didn’t want him in her lodging. You just studied 58 terms!
Why could you say Mr Birling is a metaphor for new money?
It is clear here that Mr Birling is driven by money, he is a capitalist. The fact that he sees his daughter’s engagement as a chance to push for ‘lower costs and higher prices’ shows just how greedy he is. He does not consider the impact ‘higher prices’ might have on anyone else, he just wants more money.