AIC Eric Key Quotes

Question 1

Fill in the blanks. What does this show about Eric?

“Eric is in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half ___, half _________”.

Act 1

Answer 1

shy, assertive

He is unstable and has something to hide, foreshadowing his secret coming out.

Question 2

Fill in the blank. What does this show about Eric?

“Eric suddenly _______”.

Act 1

Answer 2

guffaws

He is out of control and “squiffy”.

Question 3

What does this show about the younger generation?

”[not too rudely] Well, don’t do any [speech]”.

Act 1, Eric to Birling

Answer 3

They are apt to change for the better, willing to become more informal and friendly towards each other.

Question 4

What does this show about Eric?

“[Birling and Gerald] both laugh. Eric enters”

Act 1

Answer 4

He is excluded and less accepted by the Birlings and Gerald.

Question 5

Fill in the blank. What does this show about Eric?

”[eagerly] Yes, I remember - [but he ______ himself]”

Act 1, Eric to Birling and Gerald.

Answer 5

checks
He almost revealed his relationship with Eva Smith, demonstrating how spontaneous and unpredictable he is. The dash shows that he stopped himself from sharing information, indicating that he is hiding something from the other characters.

Question 6

What does this show about Eric and the younger generation?

”[involuntarily] My God!”

Act 1, Eric’s reaction to the news of Eva Smith’s suicide.

Answer 6

He, unlike his father, cares immediately upon hearing the news of Eva’s death, despite not knowing her personally (as far as he is aware). It also shows that the younger generation are more socialist, feeling responsible for one another whether it helps them or not.

Question 7

Fill in the blank. What does this show about Eric?

“as you were saying, Dad, a man has to look after _______-“

Act 1, Eric to Birling

Answer 7

himself
He is aware that his father’s views are wrong and is willing to challenge them (by mocking him).

Question 8

Fill in the blanks. What does this show?

“Why shouldn’t [working class women] try for higher wages? […] I don’t see why she should have been sacked just because she had a bit more ______ than others. […] I’d have let her ____”

Act 1, Eric

Answer 8

spirit, stay
Eric supports the working class, understanding their struggles and wanting to help them as he is in a position to do so. This shows that the mentality of the younger generation is changing.

Question 9

What does this show about Eric?

“[Birling firing Eva] might have started it”

Act 1, Eric

Answer 9

He understands the inspector’s message and is willing to challenge his father’s denial of responsibility in an attempt to make him change.

Question 10

What do dashes show about how Eric is feeling? What is his intention?

”[suddenly bursting out] I’m sorry - but you see - we were having a little party - and I’ve had a few drinks, including rather a lot of champagne - and I’ve got a headache - and as I’m only in the way here - I think I’d better turn in”

Act 1, Eric to the inspector

Answer 10

Dashes and stage directions show his state of panic and desire to leave the situation so his secret cannot be found out.

Question 11

What does this show about Eric is feeling?

“Getting a bit heavy-handed, aren’t you, inspector?”

Act 1, Eric to the inspector

Answer 11

He feels threatened, encouraging Gerald and the Birlings to attempt to intimidate the inspector again.

Question 12

What does this show about Eric’s parents’ view of his behaviour?

“[Eric] was in one of his excitable queer moods”

Act 2, Birling

Answer 12

They see his drunkenness and lack of self control as a minor issue which cannot be changed. They are aware of his problem but think it is acceptable as they have raised him poorly. They refuse to accept responsibility for his misconduct.

Question 13

What does this show about Eric’s parent’s awareness of his behaviour?

”[Birling and Mrs Birling exchange bewildered and rather frightened glances]”

Act 2, Mr and Mrs Birling after being told that Eric is needed there.

Answer 13

They are oblivious to his misconduct and are only concerned about him when his behaviour could potentially have consequences to their reputations.

Question 14

Fill in the blank. What is this symbolic of?

“Eric enters, looking extremely ____ and distressed”

End of Act 2.

Answer 14

pale
Symbolic of the final confession.

Question 15

Fill in the blank. What does this show about Eric?

“You told her. Why, you little _____!”

Act 3, Eric to Sheila.

Answer 15

sneak
He still acts immature, despite commiting two severe crimes.

Question 16

What is Eric doing here?

“I was a bit squiffy”

Act 3, Eric to the inspector.

Answer 16

He is implying that he was drunk (so he was beginning to lose control), excusing his behaviour.

Question 17

Fill in the blank. What does this show?

“I threatened to make a ___”

Act 3, Eric to the inspector.

Answer 17

row
Eric acted abusively and violently towards Eva. He had power over her due to class and gender disparity, which he used to get what he wanted.

Question 18

Fill in the blank. What does this show?

“I couldn’t remember her name or where she lived. It was all very _____”

Act 3, Eric to the inspector.

Answer 18

vague
The encounter with Eva was meaningless to him; it played a part in destroying her life.

Question 19

Who is Eric describing? What is his stance on these people?

“I hate these fat old tarts round the town”

Act 3, Eric to Birling.

Answer 19

He is describing prostitutes, who he is critical of and has no respect for.

Question 20

Fill in the blank. What does this imply about people like Mr Birling?

“you’re not the kind of ______ a chap could go to when he’s in trouble”

Act 3, Eric to Birling.

Answer 20

father
It implies that capitalists make for poor parents as they prioritise themselves, encouraging their children to appear as though nothing is wrong, even if they are experiencing difficulty.

Question 21

What does this show?

“you killed them both - damn you, damn you - “

Act 3, Eric to Mrs Birling.

Answer 21

Eric blames him mother solely for the death of Eva. The verb “killed” implies that it was her intention for Eva to die.

Question 22

Fill in the blank. What does this show?

”[unhappily] My God - I’m not likely to ______”

Act 3, Eric to the inspector.

Answer 22

forget
The horror of his actions has impacted him so much that he is likely never to forget. This demonstrates the younger generation’s ability to reflect upon their behaviour then change for the better of themselves and others.

Question 23

What does this show?

“You’re beginning to pretend now that nothing’s really happened at all. And I can’t see it like that. This girl’s still dead, isn’t she? Nobody’s brought her to life, have they?”

Act 3, Eric to his parents.

Answer 23

Rhetorical questions express that the inspector not being real wouldn’t affect anything that has happened as they all still did what they did. This is Priestley’s point: people should take responsibility for their actions whether they are challenged by the law or not.

Question 24

What does this show?

“The [girl] I knew is dead”

Act 3, Eric to Gerald.

Answer 24

Eric feels bad about the fact that his actions helped to drive a woman to death, regardless of whether anyone else knew her.