Character Study Of Eva Smith In An Inspector Calls

     One detail in particular brings the audience's sympathy towards Eva Smith: the fact she had to change her name. The Birlings use their family name as well as Gerald Croft's to try to intimidate the Inspector. To them, these names represent wealth, respect, and a place in upper-class society. Eva's situation starkly contrasts with this. The fact that she can so easily change her name shows that she possesses nothing, and has nobody to help her. To people like the Birlings, she is just one of "so many girls" that "keep on changing", and her name is irrelevant.

     Eva Smith's short life is by contrasted with the happy, protected existence of Sheila Birling, who is about the same age as Eva. Sheila is shallow, childish, and naive. She exclaims that girls like Eva are "people", as if she has never really thought about such things before. These characteristics are intended to show what a sheltered life Sheila has led. While Sheila is poised to marry a rich and respected young "man about town" and will never be expected to work a day in her life, at the time of her death Eva had already been sacked from two jobs, and had fended for herself for several years. At several points throughout the play, Sheila's parents try to send her away so that she will not be shocked by the details of the death of Eva Smith. The Birlings expect working-class girls to experience things that they do not want their daughter to even hear about. By drawing attention to Sheila's privileged lifestyle, Eva's life is made to seem even more pitiful.

     Overall, the character of Eva Smith was quite vulnerable to the Birlings. We know that each member of the Birling family had a part to play in the death of the girl. Although her appearances described from each family member are different, as far as we know, Eva Smith was an innocent woman.