Eric Birling

Question 1

Quote showing Eric defending social rights.

Answer 1

“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices”.

Question 2

Quote showing Eric helped Eva financially.

Answer 2

“I insisted on giving her enough money until she refused to take it.”

Question 3

Quote showing Eric’s lack of trust in his father

Answer 3

“Because you’re not the kind of father a chap would go to if he was in trouble”

Question 4

Quote showing Eric blaming his mother.

Answer 4

“My child, your own grandchild - you killed them both - damn you.

Question 5

Eric idea 1

Answer 5

Priestley uses Eric’s character to show the change in the younger generation and his own socialist views of 1912.

Question 6

Eric idea 2

Answer 6

Eric is presented as an uncommendable, slightly drunk and uncomfortable character and
this is shown when at the start of the play he suddenly laughs for no apparent reason – “I
just had to laugh”