Eric Flashcards
“I i o g h e m t k h g” Responsibility, Guilt, Class
“I insisted on giving her enough money to keep her going.”
Eric’s insistence on providing money reflects his sense of responsibility, juxtaposed with his privileged guilt. The juxtaposition highlights the disparity between his actions and his social status. The metaphor of “keeping her going” suggests that his charity is merely a temporary solution, an illusion of absolution.
“W i t i a d s.” Generational Conflict, Moral Judgement
“Well I think it’s a damn shame.”
Eric’s colloquial exclamation, emphasized by the word “damn,” marks his dissent towards societal indifference. The colloquialism and emphasis amplify his frustration, hinting at the theme of generational conflict and moral judgment.
“T m n t i t. I w h t t g a w w d t h t m.” Social Responsibility, Ethics
“The money’s not the important thing. It’s what happened to the girl and what we did to her that matters.”
Eric’s recognition shifts from monetary to ethical accountability, highlighting the play’s central theme of social responsibility and the consequences of one’s actions. The antithesis between money and actions emphasizes this shift.
“I d w I d. A m d w s d. A t r o y d w y d t h.” Personal Accountability, Social Impact
“I did what I did. And mother did what she did. And the rest of you did what you did to her.” Eric’s parallelism and repetition in “did what I did” emphasize individual actions leading to a collective tragedy. Themes of personal accountability and social impact are evident.
“I w i t s w a c e t n - a i t t m a r.” Power Abuse, Gender Inequality
“I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty - and I threatened to make a row.”
This quote reveals Eric’s capacity for aggression, reflecting the theme of the abuse of power and privilege, and the vulnerability of women in Edwardian society. The euphemism “turns nasty” and the understatement “make a row” highlight the normalization of such behavior.
