Eva Smith, like any other woman, is a victim of patriarchy. Eva Smith represents this through having been mistreated by Arthur Birling, Gerald Croft and Eric Birling. This is highlighted in Act 2 when the moralistic Inspector states: “And you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things?”, “Well, we know one young woman who wasn’t, don’t we?” (Act 2, p.27-28). This shows that Eva Smith was the person who was mistreated the most by the men who lie to themselves and claim they are protecting women. They do not allow women to be part of important thoughts and events happening around them. For example, Sheila and Mrs Birling are moved away from the room when the Inspector draws out the truth that Eva Smith is pushed out of her job, even society. The rhetorical questions here highlight the hypocrisy of the men and how it leads to women suffering. So, the Inspector’s voice here is reflecting Priestley’s concern about the problems of male domination in his society. Eva’s name seems to be common. Eva is similar to Eve, the first woman created by God in the Bible. Smith is the most common English surname. So, Eva Smith could represent every woman of her class.
Towards the middle of the play, we start to realise that class plays a major role in the play. This is evident when Mr. Birling refers to Eva as “a girl of that class.” The vital message that Priestley is trying to express to us is that social class determines the decisions you make. If you are from an upper class family in the early twentieth century, you are obviously going to look down at the lower class, unless you are part of a committee that supports them. This is the exact role of Mrs Birling. It is ironic that she denied help to Eva Smith, as she decided to put her personal interests and opinions in the way. This sort of behavior is subjective and just shows us that Eva Smith was a very vulnerable victim, who suffered the wrath of Mrs Birling. However, JB Priestley has created a character that can mend the destabilized bridge between the upper class and the lower class. That character is the Inspector. He seems to be systematic and in control throughout the play, and shows the Birling’s that middle class citizens can have absolute authority over them.
Through responsibility itself is a central theme of the play, the last act of the play provides a fascinating portrait of the way that people can let things off the hook. If one message of the play is that we must all care more thoroughly about the general welfare, it is clear that the message is not shared by all. By contrasting the older Birling’s and Gerald with Sheila and Eric, Priestly explicitly draws out the difference between those who have accepted their responsibility and those who have not. This is when the Inspector demands responsibility from all members of the family when he said “We do not live alone, we are members of one body… and those who do not listen will be taught in fire, blood and anguish”(Act 3). This is a rather strong message that the Inspector leaves with not only about responsibility, but social duty as well. ‘Fire, blood and anguish’ refers to the first and second world wars. This shows us that the Inspector is foreshadowing the fact that there will be a war, and destroys the optimistic character of Mr Birling. There is, Priestley observes, such a thing as society, and he argues that it is important that people must be aware of the effects of their actions on others. The Birling’s, of course, initially do not think at all about how they might have affected Eva Smith, but they are forced to confront the likely responsibility over the course of the play.
Overall, JB Priestley’s message to us, through the voice of the Inspector, is that social class, snobbery and guilt is not the answer to a stable society. Responsibility and trust is the foundation brick to a committed society, if it goes wrong, it will be very difficult to rebuild the damage it left. The final and the most significant message that JB Priestley tells us is that we all have a social duty to help and care for others. Priestley wanted to make the most of the setting and the time of the play as he encourages people to seize the opportunity the end of the war had given to Britain to build a better, socialist and more caring society.