AIC - Eric Flashcards
(act 1 pg 2)
“Eric is in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive.”
In the opening stage directions Eric is described as ‘not quite at ease’ despite the fact that he is celebrating his sister’s engagement in his family home. This sort of occasion is bound to make him think about his own love life which involves Eva – shows Eric’s internal guilt before anything has happened.
The oxymoron ‘half shy, half assertive’ is contradictory creating an odd tension as the centre of Eric’s character. This also shows Eric’s internal guilt before anything has happened.
(act 1 pg 15)
“He could have kept her on instead of throwing her out. I call it tough luck.”
Eric does not share his father’s capitalist views as he calls her dismissal ‘tough luck’ and suggests that his father could have kept her on - tells the audience that Eric has better morals than his father.
However, this may not be clear at this point of the play as the weak modal verb ‘could’ implies a lack of conviction - it only expresses a moderate degree of possibility.
(act 2 pg 32)
When asked about Eric’s alcohol habits Mrs Birling replies “No, of course not. He’s only a boy.” even though he is in his early 20s.
the noun ‘boy’ implies that she thinks he is childish, irresponsible and that she does not necessarily take him particularly seriously.
Phrase ‘of course’ shows that Mrs birling is completely oblivious to Eric’s drinking problem – shows Eric to be somewhat deceptive - Eric is clearly familiar with quick heavy drinking and yet his mother cannot see this so it may present Mrs. Birling as ignorant.
(act 3 pg 55)
“Then - you killed her … and the child … – my child - your own grandchild - you killed them both - damn you, damn you-“
the use of dashes highlights Eric’s emotional state he is too angry at his mother that he can barely get his words out straight.
repetition of ‘you killed her’ is blunt as the repetition of it is emphatic in his rage eric is pinning the blame for Eva / Daisy’s death on his mother - all signs of family loyalty have now been discarded.
repetition of ‘damn you’ is shocking as he is almost threatening his mother further highlighting the destruction of family loyalty at this point in the play.
(act 3 pg 65)
“The money’s not the important thing. It’s what happened to the girl and what we all did to her that matters.”
phrase ‘money’s not the important thing’ shows Eric’s character progression - at the beginning of the play he tentatively disagrees with his father’s capitalist views but here he outright rejects them adopting a socialist line of thought.
The fact that Eric accepts his guilt shows that he accepts his responsibility – perhaps makes the audience more empathetic towards Eric.
Quotes
initial description
(act 1 pg 2) - “Eric is in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive.”
conflict with parents
* (act 1 pg 15) - “He could have kept her on instead of throwing her out. I call it tough luck.”
* (act 2 pg 32) - When asked about Eric’s alcohol habits Mrs Birling replies “No, of course not. He’s only a boy.” even though he is in his early 20s.
* (act 3 pg 55) - “Then - you killed her … and the child she’d have had too – my child - your own grandchild - you killed them both - damn you, damn you-“
acceptance of responsibility
(act 3 pg 65) - “The money’s not the important thing. It’s what happened to the girl and what we all did to her that matters.”
