ERIC Flashcards
GIVE SOME ADJECTIVES TO DESCRIBE ERIC:
BOURGEOIS: he is a nepobaby and has been given a job at his fathers company
SHELTERED: Eric is treated as a child by his parents
PRIVILEGED:
COWARDLY: “in his early twenties , not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive”
GUILTY: “i was in a state where a chap easily turns nasty”
CULPABLE:- deserving blame -
RESPONSIBLE
RECKLESS: Eric drinks and acts in a way which is inexcusable
ALTRUISTIC: shows no interest in the wellbeing of eva smith
What is out of the ordinary for this family when Eric quotes “Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices.”?
he challenges the capitalist ideoligy
Here, Eric CHALLENGES his father’s CAPITALIST MINDSET.
“highest possible wages” =
He points out the HYPOCRISY in Mr. Birling’s views—while the upper CLASSES PUSH FOR MAXIMUM PROFIT, they deny the working class the right to DEMAND BETTER WAGES.
This reflects Priestley’s SOCIALIST STANCE, showing that the YOUNGER GENERATION is more open to FAIRNESS and EQUALITY.
“You’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble.” what theme does this highlight? analyse it
GENERATIONAL DIVIDE
Eric RESENTS his father’s LACK OF SUPPORT, highlighting the EMOTIONAL DISTANCE between them. This ILLUSTRATES How the OLDER GENERATION, particularly Mr. Birling, PRIORITISES REPUTATION and STATUS over emotional connection and GUIDANCE. It REINFORCES the idea that the YOUNGER GENERATION despite their flaws, is more EMOTIONALLY AWARE.
“I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty.” what does ERIC mean by this quote , what theme is Priestley hinting ?
GENDER INEQUALITY
UNLIKE HIS PARENTS, Eric is deeply REMORSEFUL about his actions, but his CONFESSION also reveals his RECKLESSNESS and PRIVILEGES. His drunkenness SYMBOLISES the MORAL DECAY of the upper class, showing how WEALTH often SHIELDS people from IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES.
“You killed her! She came to you to protect me—and you turned her away.” What does ERIC mean here and what is the theme?
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Eric DIRECTLY ACCUSES his mother, showing his FRUSTRATION with the OLDER GENERATIONS COLD-HEARTEDNESS.
His use of “killed” is dramatic, emphasizing his belief that their ACTIONS LED TO EVAS DEATH. This marks a turning point where Eric fully EMBRACES HIS RESPONSIBILITY while CONDEMNING his parents’ REFUSAL to do the same.
“We all helped to kill her—that’s what matters.” WHAT DOES THIS QUOTE MEAN ?
This CONTRASTS with his PARENTS DESIRE to shift BLAME. Eric understands the inspector’s message: everyone played a role in Eva’s suffering.
His words reinforce REINFORCE PRIESTLEY’S SOCIALIST MESSAGE—that society is INTERCONNECTED, and everyone is responsible for each other.
“Well, I don’t blame you. But don’t forget I’m ashamed of you as well.” what does eric mean ?
Eric distances himself from his parents, showing a moral divide between the generations.
This quote reinforces Priestley’s idea that the YOUNGER GENERATION is SOCIETY’S hope for CHANGE.
“The girl’s dead and we all helped to kill her—that’s what matters.” WHAT DOES THIS QUOTE HIGHLIGHT ABOUT ERICS CHANGE IN CHARACTER ?
the inspector has had an influence upon him
Eric ECHOES the Inspector’s TEACHINGS, recognizing the weight of COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY. Unlike his parents, he UNDERSTANDS that whether or not the Inspector was real, their MORAL FAILURE REMAINS
“It’s what happened to the girl and what we all did to her that matters.”
WHAT IS ERIC STRESSING HERE ? WHAT THEME ?
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Eric STRESSES that the moral lesson is more IMPORTANT than whether they’ll face LEGAL CONSEQUENCES. This sharply contrasts with Mr. and Mrs. Birling’s attitudes, who care more about their public image.
“Oh—my God!—how stupid it all is!” What does erics frantic nature mean here ?
Eric’s exclamation suggests a SUDDEN REALISATION of the futility of their selfishness.
whereas the older generation ALIENATE any feeling of guilt for their wrongdoings
“Could I have a drink first?” what does this show about Erics personality?
This shows Eric’s DEPENDANCE on alcohol as a COPING MECHANISM
It hints at deeper issues within the Birling family, suggesting that PRIVILEGE and WEALTH do not prevent DYSFUNCTION.
“I hate these fat old tarts around town”
THIS QUOTE shows how Eric is dismissive of those in similar class authority to him and yet wants to sympathise for someone like EVA SMITH who doesn’t brag about WEALTH AND PRIVILEGES.
“She treated me as if I were a kid.” what is peculiar about this quote ?
Despite being the WEALTHIER one in the RELATIONSHIP, Eric felt POWERLESS. This line suggests that Eva, despite her SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE, had a STRONGER MORAL COMPASS than Eric.
“The money’s not the important thing. It’s what happened to the girl.” WHAT THEME IS ERIC SHOWING
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
This marks Eric’s TRANSFORMATION—he rejects his father’s CAPITALIST VALUES and EMBRACES MORALITY. Priestley uses this contrast to highlight generational change.
“I wasn’t in love with her or anything—but I liked her—she was pretty and a good sport.” WHAT DOES HIS CAUSAL LANGUAGE SUGGEST ABOUT HIS IDEA OF EVA?
Eric’s CASUAL TONE reduces Eva to ENTERTAINMENT. This reflects how upper-class men saw working-class women as DISPOSABLE, reinforcing the play’s CRITIQUE of gender and CLASS INEQUALITY.
“You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can’t.” WHAT THEME DOES THIS QUOTE HIGHLIGHT?
GENERATIONAL DIVIDE
Eric expresses deep guilt, unlike his parents, who seek to ABSOLVE THEMSELVES. Priestley presents him as MORALLY SUPERIOR to the OLDER GENERATION.
