Eric Flashcards
(5 cards)
“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?” We try for the highest possible prices”
Act 1
The rhetorical question marks Eric’s growing assertiveness and political awakening, reflecting the influence of socialist ideals on his worldview. By directly challenging his father’s exploitative business practices, Eric confronts the entrenched capitalist values of the older generation, signalling a clear moral and ideological break.
This moment is pivotal in Eric’s character arc, as he transforms from a hesitant, passive figure into someone willing to question authority and oppose social injustice. The rhetorical question also implicates the audience, prompting them to reflect on the fairness of capitalist exploitation and the systems that sustain inequality.
The alliteration in “possible prices” sharpens Eric’s critique, highlighting how capitalism prioritises profit over people. This stylistic device exposes the systemic nature of economic injustice and how it silences the working class.
Eric’s recognition of how laissez-faire capitalism enables exploitation demonstrates his expanding political awareness. He not only accepts personal guilt but also recognises the broader societal impact of unchecked capitalism — embodying Priestley’s vision of collective social responsibility.
You killed her- and the child she’d have had too- my child!”
Theme: Responsibility
Act 3
-Correcting himself from “the child” to “my child” and the use of the pronoun “my” -> feels responsibility towards the child and didn’t start with ‘my’ as he’s only realising full impact he has had
- Starting to claim responsibility -> attitude change
-Looking for his mother to take his blame -> shows immaturity and relies on his mother to take blame/ scape goat -> sees her as less than him because of power in patriarchal society
“She was pretty and a good sport” (act 3)
Connotations of ‘sport’: The term “sport” evokes connotations of games and amusement, shedding light on Eric’s perception of his relationship with Eva as a form of selfish entertainment.
• is exposes the callousness (cruel) with which he exploited and objectified her, reducing her to a mere source of gratification
• Eric’s callous alcohol fuelled relationship with Eva is a microcosm of the toxic dynamics perpetuated by unchecked privilege and substance abuse within Edwardian society
Syntax of pretty: Even in her death, Eric still possesses power over her through reducing her to her superficial appearance, focusing first on her physical “pretty” (ness).
The syntax (word-order), with her physical attributes preceding her character, reflects his shallow perception, reducing Eva to a mere object of desire rather than recognising her intrinsic worth as a human being.
Thus, Eva is emblematic of the disposable treatment of women in the early twentieth century by the heartless upper echelons of society
“But don’t forget I’m ashamed of you as well - yes both of you” (act 3)
The adjective “ashamed” conveys Eric’s profound moral guilt and disgust towards his family’s selfish capitalist values, revealing his awareness of their exploitation and greed.
* As a member of the younger generation, Eric’s condescending tone shows his courage in directly confronting his parents’ outdated beliefs, positioning him as a moral challenger who demands social change.
* The hyphen in “– yes, both of you” creates an emphatic pause that echoes the Inspector’s authoritative speech, intensifying Eric’s condemnation and highlighting the urgent need for collective responsibility.
* Eric’s use of short, clipped sentences mirrors the Inspector’s commanding tone, symbolising his growing confidence and his emerging role as the family’s moral conscience.
* Through Eric, Priestley presents the younger generation as embracing socialist ideals, challenging the complacency and greed of capitalism embodied by the older generation.
“I did what I did. And mother did what she did. And the rest od you did what you did to her” (Act 3)
The repeated use of the personal pronoun “I” reflects Eric’s growing sense of accountability and self-awareness, signalling a significant development from his earlier, “half shy” persona. This introspection marks his attempt to seek redemption for his immoral actions and to distance himself from the complacency of the older generation.
The parallel structure of “did what” highlights the shared culpability of each family member, underscoring Priestley’s message that social injustice is a collective failure. The repetition also creates a rhythm of accusation, forcing the Birlings — and the audience — to confront the weight of their moral responsibility.
Moreover, the ambiguity of “did what” generalises their actions, making them symbolic of the wider upper-middle class, who acted without regard for the consequences of their exploitation. This universalising effect reinforces Priestley’s critique of Edwardian capitalism and his call for empathy, accountability, and social reform.
