Eric Flashcards
Introduction
- Symbol of how the younger generation is the hope for the future + will bring about change to society
- his character represent Priestley’s socialist views + also shows the power of the middleclass men
Gender
- Eric’s character reinforces the patriarchal EDWARDIAN stereotypes +the unfair power men possess
- By focusing on the poor treatment of Eva carelessness of Eric, Priestley reminds audience of how things have improved since 1912
GENDER, ‘I was in a state when a chap easily turns nasty’
- He justifies his actions towards Eva by blaming it on alcohol and NORMALISING his behaviour,
- Common for MIDDLEMEN to do this
GENDER, ‘Threatened to make a row’
- forcing Eva into a difficult situation, ABUSAL OF POWER
GENDER, ‘I didn’t even remember that’s the devilish thing’
AGE/IMMATURITY, ‘You’d think a girl had never any clothes before she gets married-women are potty about ‘em’
-Eric has a very SUPERFICIAL VIEW on women which ties in to his generally immature personality. In fact, he later admits that Eva treated him as if ‘he were a kid’
AGE/IMMATURITY
-Eric’s immaturity could in part be attributed to poor parenting by his parents. Priestley perhaps suggesting that if they can’t raise their children properly, they shouldn’t have this much power Rational decision making, as some WEALTHY CAPATLISTS actually did.
SOCIALIST VIEWS/EMPATHY
-From early on, Eric presents Socialist views
SOCIALIST VIEWS/EMPATHY, ‘My God’
-His initial reaction to Eva’s death is ‘My god’- Compassionate and has a HUMANE side to him (unlike his parents
SOCIALIST VIEWS/EMPATHY, ‘He could of kept her instead of throwing her out’
-has a different mindset to his father’s DEHUMANISING CAPATALIST approach fighting for the WORKING CLASS = SOCIALIST
SOCIALIST VIEWS/EMPATHY, ‘Why shouldn’t they ask for higher wages? we try for the highest prices’
- Critiquing the HYPOCRISY OF CAPITALISM
- sliding with working class, recognises they have the same right as middle/upper class to earn money
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY / GUILT, ‘I did what I did. Mother did what she did. And the rest of you did what you did to her’
- Recognises his faults + feels sorry for his actions
- not trying to excuse his behaviour
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY / GUILT, ‘The money’s not the important thing. It’s what happened and what we did to her that matters’
- Challenging his parents, shows his new found responsibility
- Younger generations is the hope for the future
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY / GUILT, ‘The money’s not the important thing. It’s what happened and what we did to her that matters’
-Priestley conveying that money can’t solve problems. If we don’t face the consequences of our actions, we are doomed to repeat them endlessly.
Social responsibility, guilt QUOTES
‘The money’s not the important thing. It’s what happened and what we did to her that matters’
- ‘The money’s not the important thing. It’s what happened and what we did to her that matters’
- ‘I did what I did. Mother did what she did. And the rest of you did what you did to her’
