In what ways is Eva Smith exploited? Why has Priestley used dramatic irony in Mr Birlings speech?

Mr Birling’s understanding of reality is flawed as he doesn’t think there will be a war but in 1914 the world war 1 begins. The audience believe that Mr Birling is clueless because of the statements. Priestley was a socialist , he believes that capitalism should be abolished and socialism would be brought in. Mr Birling is a capitalist and Priestley portrayed him as a fool. Priestley does not want the audience to believe in capitalism .

In what ways is Eva Smith exploited?

Eva Smith is exploited by the upper class as there was a lack of respect from the upper class to the lower class.

In 1912 , there was a lack of respect and equal rights for the lower class. This was because of the capitalist system that was implemented in at the time. Mr Birling represents capitalism , this was Priestley’s intention. Priestley wanted the audience to understand they were exploited the lower class and they’d eventually gain a social conscience, just as Shelia Birling did.

Mr Birling exploits Eva Smith as he uses the fact that she was desperate need of money to make her work at a low wage . Eva Smith forms a protest for better wages , which leads to employees striking. It was likely that Eva Smith felt powerful and like she had made a serious impact. Instead Mr Birling had no intention of rising the wages but he was going to wait for the employees to come , he knew that they would as they needed the money and then fired the ring leaders . This gave Eva Smith false hope , she was extremely vulnerable at the time and Mr Birling took advantage of her weakness . He refuses to take the blame for her exploitation as he says ‘Still I cant take any responsibility’ , creating the impression that he had thought this was her fault.

Shelia Birling says ‘But there girls aren’t cheap labour, they are people’ , near the beginning of the play before she tells her story. This gives the audience the impression that she wouldn’t be the type to exploit anyone. Priestley wanted Shelia to look innocent so there would be an element of surprise when she told her story. Shelia exploits Eva Smith as she uses her power that she has because she is the upper class to get Eva Smith fired. Eva Smith did nothing wrong but because she was of the lower class , she didn’t get to explain her side of the story. She was just fired as that was the quickest and easiest option for the employer.

Taking all the previous points into consideration , I believe Eva Smith was exploited by 3 main characters which are Shelia, Eric and Mr Birling. They exploited her as Mr Birling has more power and money than her.. This made her extremely vulnerable.