ERIC

Question 1

Eric as a symbol of lost youth in the ww1

Answer 1

• Priestley does believe that Eric has learn his lesson, however he cannot change the future because, we imagine, he gets killed in the first world war
• Eric then becomes a symbol of the upper class youth, who would’ve learn social responsibility through fighting in the war
• but since their lives were lost, the lesson was lost, and in this interpretation, the older generation, represented by Mr Birling, held onto power for for far too long because too many f the youth that were supposed to replace him, died in the war

Question 2

“You don’t understand anything… finish the quote

Answer 2

You never did. You never even tried to understand.” - Eric (Act Three)

Question 3

” you dont understand anything. you never did.you never even tried to understand” analysis

Answer 3

• angry and bitter tone, fed up of his family’s dismissive tone towards him and the working class, tone creates tension and conflict in the scene
• repetition of the phrase “you never” further highlights frustration, as it seems like his family have consistently failed him and others.
• emotive language - in particular, the words “never” and “anything” express a feeling of despair and hopelessness, he feels like his family will never understand the world around them
• hyperbole - “anything” exaggerates the lack of the family’s understanding of their actions
• direct adress - challenging their beliefs and attitudes, and asserting his own point of view

Question 4

“it seems” analysis

Answer 4

• repeated use of this phrase throughout the play suggests hes trying to distance himself from the events that happened to Eva smith, and avoid taking responsibility and rather create ambiguity around his involvement
• his reluctance to take responsibility reflects the inspectors message that every individual has a responsibility towards others, but Erics failure to acknowledge his role in Eva Smith’s death somewhat shows a lack of progression in his character
• alternatively, could suggest that that Eric does not understand his role in Eva’s death, and this uncertainty may reflect his own confusion and moral conflict as he struggles to come to terms with the terms of his own actions

Question 5

“ i was in that state…

Answer 5

when a chap easily turns nasty”

Question 6

“i was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty” analysis

Answer 6

• colloquial language “chap” suggests a casual and informal attitude, downplaying seriousness, presenting himself as someone who acts on impulse
• “turns nasty” another euphemism to downplay severity, claiming his behaviour and actions were not his fault, but rather the fault of his drunken state

Question 7

“i was that state when a chap easily turns nasty” context

Answer 7

• reflects the social attitudes towards alcohol consumption in 20th century, many believed that alcohol was a major cause of poverty and crime
• rich people were the largest consumers of alcohol, could signify greed of upper class

Question 8

“you’re squiffy”

Answer 8

• creates a light hearted and humorous tone which reflects the attitude of Sheila and her family towards alcohol consumption, which is seen as a normal and acceptable part of their social life
• “squiffy” is a metaphor for erics state of mind, suggests he is unsteady or unbalanced, both physically and mentally, and that his behaviour may be unpredictable or eratic
• foreshadowing - could be foreshadowing later events in the play, as eric’s drunken behaviour towards Eva smith is a significant factor in her eventual suicide, so sheilas comment is a warning of the potential consequences consequences of his actions

Question 9

half shy half assertive

Answer 9

• half shy” suggests a sense of timidity or hesitance in Eric’s demeanor. This shyness can be seen in his initial interactions with other characters, particularly when he feels uncertain or out of his comfort zone. It indicates a lack of self-assurance and a tendency to retreat into the background, avoiding direct confrontation or taking a prominent role in social situations.
• However, the phrase “half assertive” highlights another side of Eric’s personality. Despite his initial shyness, there are moments when Eric demonstrates a more assertive and forceful nature. This assertiveness emerges particularly when he becomes passionate or emotional about a particular issue. It suggests that Eric possesses strong convictions and is willing to stand up for what he believes in

Question 10

“i didnt even remember

Answer 10

• thats the hellish thing

Question 11

“i didnt even remember-thats the hellish thing”

Answer 11

• The phrase “that’s the hellish thing” employs emotive language to convey the intense emotional turmoil experienced by Eric. The use of the word “hellish” evokes a sense of anguish, guilt, and internal torment. It implies that Eric is haunted by the absence of this memory, as it represents a dark and painful void in his conscience.
• By using the word “hellish,” he attempts to convey the magnitude of his emotional distress without explicitly stating the full extent of his remorse. The euphemistic language adds depth to Eric’s emotional turmoil, capturing the magnitude of his regret.
• : The line carries a sense of irony as well. While Eric admits to not remembering the specific details of his actions, he acknowledges the gravity of his actions and their impact on Eva Smith. This irony lies in the fact that even though Eric cannot recall the memory, the consequences of his actions still haunt him deeply.

Question 12

“you dont understand anything. you never did.” in depth language technique analysis

Answer 12

• implies a lack of comprehension or insight on the part of the person being addressed. It suggests that they lack the necessary understanding to grasp the complexities of a situation or empathize with the experiences of others
  uses this phrase to express his frustration and disappointment with mr b
• The word “anything” amplifies the scope of the lack of understanding being criticized. It emphasizes that the person being addressed has a profound inability to grasp even the most basic aspects of the situation. This word choice reinforces the extent of the disconnect between Eric’s perspective and the other person’s understanding.
• phrase “never did” suggests that the lack of understanding is not a recent occurrence but has been a consistent characteristic of the person being addressed. It implies that the individual has never possessed the capacity to fully comprehend or empathize with others. This phrase highlights a longstanding issue and reinforces Eric’s perception of the other person’s limited understanding.

Question 13

“the fact remains that I did what i did”

Answer 13

• The use of the definite article “The” before “fact” emphasizes the certainty and irrefutability of the statement. By using “the fact,” Eric asserts that there is an indisputable truth that he acknowledges and confronts. This suggests his willingness to accept the consequences of his actions.
• The word “remains” conveys a sense of persistence and permanence. It suggests that despite any attempts to alter or evade the truth, the fact of Eric’s actions remains steadfast.
• The use of the word “did” emphasizes the completion of an action. By stating “I did,” Eric acknowledges that he actively engaged in a specific behavior or event. This simple and direct verb highlights his agency and implies a sense of personal accountability for his actions.
• The use of the word “did” emphasizes the completion of an action. By stating “I did,” Eric acknowledges that he actively engaged in a specific behavior or event. This simple and direct verb highlights his agency and implies a sense of personal accountability for his actions.
• The use of the pronoun “I” highlights Eric’s individual accountability. By using “I,” he takes personal ownership of his actions and separates himself from others who may have contributed to the events under scrutiny. This personal pronoun underscores his recognition of his role in the situation.