“An Inspector Calls” – What do Eva Smith and Edna represent? Essay Sample

‘An Inspector Calls’ . written by J. B. Priestley is a drama that includes the characters of Eva Smith. who appears to hold committed self-destruction. and Edna. the housekeeper of the Birling household.

Both Eva Smith. and Edna represent adult females. who suffer at the custodies of poorness and disregard. and both characters are the epitome victims of the unfair nature of the societal order. To those better off than them. they are unseeable.

Edna seems to be. a possible self-destruction victim. and there is even a nexus between the two names Eva and Edna. which begin with the same missive.

Eva Smith is the ground for the on-stage probe ;

‘Two hours ago. a immature adult female died in the infirmary…’ ( Act One ) .

And Edna is hence another potentially vulnerable immature adult female.

Throughout the drama. Eva Smith. to the audience appears to be a existent individual ; ‘I told the miss to unclutter out. and she went’ ( Act One ) nevertheless. as the drama draws to a stopping point. it may look that Eva Smith is non. and ne’er was a existent individual at all ; ‘And how make we cognize she was truly Eva Smith or Daisy Renton? ’ ( Act Three ) . but merely a representation. a symbolic thought. or a political position.

Priestley uses dramatic sarcasm in this drama. as the audience seem to cognize a great trade about Eva Smith who ne’er appears on phase. but really small about the cryptic character of Edna. who does look on phase during the drama. Edna is rather literally a individual who does non be to the other characters on phase. ‘All right Edna. show him in here. Give us some more light’ ( Act One )

Edna is ordered around on phase. and ne’er given any gratitude by her employees. When Edna is spoken to. she is non of import plenty to the remainder of the household. to be spoken to with any manners.

Eva Smith does non look on phase at all throughout the drama ; as her character appears to hold been ‘killed off’ ;

‘They did everything they could for her. but she died. Suicide of course’ ( Act One ) . therefore the audience merely hear about her through other characters in the drama. The audience can therefore come to the decision that she was an attractive immature miss ;

‘She was a lively good looking girl…’ ( Act One ) . who was orphaned as a kid. but who was taken advantage of by those around her. This links straight to Edna’s who the Birling household seem to take for granted. The household. chiefly Mr and Mrs Birling give the feeling that they would non much care if Edna were to vanish. and they would merely replace her. with no understanding. anxiety. or unhappiness.

Eva Smith appears to hold been realistic about her position and state of affairs. and even though it seems she may hold felt something genuine for Gerald. even love. she ne’er attempted to keep on to him. Eva Smith is portrayed as a really dignified. and dignified character. She besides refused to accept stolen money from Eric ;

‘Yes. that was the worst of it all. She wouldn’t take any more’ ( Act Three ) . demoing her honestness. and a sense of moral responsibility. Eva Smith was a echt individual. who seems to hold committed suicide as an act of complete despair and wretchedness.

The name Eva Smith can be interpreted. as anon. . as the name Smith is frequently used when people prefer to stay unidentified. This could intend that Eva Smith was an unknown. a miss who cipher cared for. and soon cipher mourned for.

In the drama. Priestley alterations Eva Smiths name to Daisy Renton. after she was dismissed from her employment at Milwards. Her name is one time once more allegorical. as the works daisy. is a reasonably weed. with bright colorss. nonetheless it is disposed of every bit shortly as possible. as people do non desire them about. Her family name ; Renton besides implies that she had to turn to prostitution to last. She ‘rented’ her organic structure. for money that would merely approximately feed her.

In a manner. Edna is responsible for conveying the Inspector into the Birlings’ lives. as she opened the door. and brought him in. Edna is non recognised by the household. and is merely seen as a official. She is dispensable to the household. as of class was Eva Smith. In the drama. Edna has no personality. and she of no importance to anybody. The audience can presume that Edna has no household ties or friends. and the Birling household are likely to be her lone associates. Edna is a character who is highly easy to disregard. both in footings of the audience. and the Birling household.

During this drama. both Edna and Eva Smith represent the anon. people that the inspector negotiations about in his concluding address ;

‘There are 1000000s and 1000000s and 1000000s of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us’ ( Act Three ) and both characters nevertheless barely they appear. have a significance far beyond the amusement value of the drama. Their importance in the drama is to add to Priestley’s beliefs. which he considers to be a really of import issue as he speaks to the audience through the Inspector. Priestley believes that all actions have effects. and everybody has a duty for future events ;

‘And I tell you the clip will shortly come. when if work forces will non larn that lesson. so they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. ’ ( Act Three )

He wants the audience to reflect on their yesteryears and alteration. so that the universe can go a more comforting. and safer topographic point for all.