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Summary Essay about how Priestley uses Eva Smith to present guilt.
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How does Priestley use the character of Eva Smith to present the theme of guilt? I received a grade 9 for this essay.
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How does Priestley use the character of Eva Smith to present guilt?Priestley uses Eva Smith to present guilt by showcasing the impact of the upper class’s actions on her
life. Through the character of Eva, he highlights the collective guilt of society and the responsibility
that each individual has towards others. Eva’s tragic demise acts as a reminder of the consequences
of selfishness and indifference, emphasising the importance of empathy, social responsibility and the
need to confront your internal prejudice. Eva’s story highlights the harsh reality of poverty, lack of
opportunities and the unfair treatment that many working class individuals experienced in the 1900s
and still continue to experience today. Her mistreatment by various characters in the play showcases
the systematic inequalities and the disregard for the well-being of those in lower social positions.
Through Eva’s character, Priestley aims to raise awareness about the need for change which is
evidently showcased through the character of Sheila, who undergoes a profound transformation
from a naïve, privileged young woman to someone who is burdened by remorse as a result of Goole
shedding light upon her poor treatment of Eva Smith. She demonstrates the sincerity of her guilt and
the enduring impact of the Inspector’s moral message when she stands up to her father by saying,
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people”. Her use of the term “ these girls” reflects her
acknowledgement that the workers, including Eva Smith are not faceless or merely cogs in an
economic machine. Instead, she understands that they are humans and deserve to be treated justly
no matter their wealth. She denounces exploitation through the phrase, they “aren’t cheap labour”
which underscores Sheila’s rejection of the dehumanizing practice of exploiting workers for economic
gain. She challenges the prevailing mindset of her family and the upper class, who often view the
working class as expendable commodities rather than individuals with inherent value. She distances
herself from the treatment of the working class that her parents support and instead emphasises
that all individuals, including herself need to recognize the intrinsic value of every person.
In the play Arthur Birling demonstrates a striking lack of guilt, despite being confronted with the
consequences of his mistreatment of Eva Smith. Birling remains unapologetic and dismissive
throughout the entirety of the play in order to reflect his deep-rooted capitalist ideologies and to
show that he has a greater concern with protecting his own reputation and social standing rather
than considering how his mindset is narrow-minded and innately prejudiced. Mr Birling’s ignorance is
highlighted when he says “the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think everybody
has to look after everybody else.” The noun ‘cranks’ clearly shows Mr Birling’s dismissive attitude
towards the idea of community and social responsibility; he views the day to day struggles faced by
those of the working class as something far removed from his own life, and therefore sees it as
insignificant, even though it has cost “millions of John smiths and Eva smiths” their lives. By rejecting
the notion of collective responsibility, Mr Birling exposes his lack of empathy and showcases his
ignorance, which blinds him from the harsh realities faced by the less fortunate. His refusal to
“accept any responsibility” demonstrates that he feels no sense of guilt or remorse, revealing his self-
centred nature and an unwillingness to acknowledge the detrimental impact him and his family have
upon others. His lack of care towards Eva not only highlights the vast class divide present within
society but also, his failure to recognize humanity in those who are less fortunate, showing his
shallowness as he only has respect for people who have a high social standing. The play exposes the
stark contrast between the privileged upper class and the marginalized working class and reveals the
callousness and indifference of the elite towards those who are less fortunate.
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