Eric Flashcards
How is Eric presented in the opening
‘In his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive’
Ease - confident, relaxed and calm
Assertive - dominant, loud
This phrase suggests he is unconfident and often unable to speak up
How do we see Eric’s drinking problem throughout the play
‘You’re squify’ (said by Sheila A1)
‘She said the father was only a Youngster - silly and wild, and drinking too much’ (said by Ms Birling A3)
His whole manner of handking the decanter shows his familiarity with quick and heavy drinking (stage directions, A3)
How is Eric’s character presented in act 3
He is presented as an irresponsible, thoughtless and reckless boy
‘I insisted it seems’
‘I didnt even remember - that’s the hellish thing’
‘I liked her - she was pretty and a good sport’
Why is eric absent in act 2
To show his significance as evas babies father
He is interrogated last to show his significance, over everyone elses actions
He reappears at the end, unable to hide the truth
Creates a grand reveal for act 3
How does Eric act after the Inspector leaves
He agrees with Sheila that it doesnt make a difference id the inspector is real or not
‘No, Sheilas right. It doesnt’
‘He was our police Inspector alright’
How does Priestley use Eric
Priestley uses Eric to explore the same ideas as Sheila.
However he also uses Eric to criticise the immoral actions behaviour that can be found (e.g his drinking, theft and assault)
How does eric act when the inspector is revealed to be fake
He continues to agree with Sheila, signalling his change
‘And I agree with Sheila. It frightens me too.
How is there a constant gap between eric and his father
He is dissmisve of eric and tries to hide him / cut him odd
‘(Eric) a man has to look after himself - (Birling ‘yes well, we neednt need to get into all that’
‘(to eric) Look - just you keep out of this’
At the start of act 3 he tells his father
‘your not the father a chap could go to when hes in trouble’
