Analysis of Act Three - Eric Confesses Flashcards
True or False?
Eva / Daisy wanted Eric to go into “her lodging” on that first night.
False. Eric says that Eva / Daisy didn’t want him to spend the night with her, but he was “in that state when a chap easily turns nasty” so she had no choice.
Who does Arthur order to leave the room while Eric is speaking?
Arthur tells Sheila to take Sybil out of the room. This suggests he thinks that the details of Eric’s affair will be too shocking or upsetting for the women to hear.
Eric describes how Eva / Daisy treated him as if he “were a kid”. What does this suggest about Eric’s character?
This suggests that Eric is immature and that Eva / Daisy felt she couldn’t rely on him.
Before Eric tells his story, he “goes for a whisky”. What does this suggest about how he is feeling at this point in the play?
This suggests that Eric is feeling nervous and stressed. The Inspector suggests that he needs a drink “just to see him through”, so he can steady his nerves and tell his story. However, this also suggests that Eric has decided to let his parents see how dependent her is on alcohol, because there is no point continuing to hide the truth from them.
How do you think the balance of power in the Birling household has changed between the start of the play and the start of Act Three?
Explain your answer.
The balance of power has shifted so that it is the Inspector and not Arthur he was firmly in control. For example, Arthur tells Eric that he can’t have a drink, but the inspector directly contradicts him. The Inspector also speaks of both Eric and Arthur like children, telling them “I don’t want any of it from either of you” when they start arguing.
