Eva Smith in 'An Inspector Calls': representation and symbolism

Eva represents working-class women, symbolising their struggles with class, gender, and inequality in Edwardian society. Eva Smith’s 'absent presence' emphasises her dual role as a powerless victim and a symbolic critique of society. Priestley constructs Eva’s character through the attitudes and language of others. Eva is constructed as a victim of societal expectations. Arguably, Priestley constructs Eva as a sympathetic character to evoke a response from the audience