aic eric

Question 1

‘half shy, half assertive’

Answer 1

shows that he is not fully formed so there is hope for redemption - oxymoron shows this too

Question 2

‘in that state when a chap easily turns nasty’

Answer 2

uses alcohol as an excuse for behaviour

Question 3

‘not the kind of person a chap could go to’

Answer 3

still blaming people, highlights that capitalists (such as Birling) don’t make good fathers as they are too individualistic, selfish and inclined to only take responsibility for themselves.

Question 4

‘we did her in alright’

Answer 4

accepts responsibility shows the younger generation to be more accepting. Eric clearly shows that he has a sense of social responsibility.

Question 5

‘it’s what happened to the girl and what we all did to her that matters’

Answer 5

sees the true message of the inspector - hope for the younger generation

Question 6

‘I intended to pay it back’

Answer 6

shows he has good intentions but makes bad decisions

Question 7

‘(miserably) Could I have a drink first?’

Answer 7

accepted his decision and is ready to confess and repent. He is not happy with his life, despite his father thinking that they have everything e.g. money and status. Priestley is showing money is not everything and cannot guarantee happiness.

Question 8

eric represents

Answer 8

1. Conveys how the upper class abused their power over the working class (treated Eva Smith ‘as if she were an animal, a thing, not a person.’)
2. He represents (with Sheila) the younger generation – Priestley saw them as ‘more impressionable’ – after all, they were the future.