Eric Birling

Question 1

Eric is…

Answer 1

Irresponsible: “I didn’t even remember - that’s the hellish thing”
Unloved: “You don’t understand anything. You never did”
Sensitive: “My God - I’m not likely to forget”
An alcoholic: “I was in that state when a chaps easily turns nasty”

Question 2

Eric’s dirty secrets:

Answer 2

He is a heavy drinker
He got a prostitute pregnant, it is suggested he forced her into sex
He stole money from his father’s business

Question 3

Priestley’s hints that Eric isn’t alright:

Answer 3

“Not quite at ease” “Half shy and half assertive
When Gerald says, “Unless Eric’s been up to something,” Eric takes the seriously and acts suspiciously and “still uneasy”

Question 4

Is Eric victim or villain?

Answer 4

Eric feels isolated and unsupported- he’s had to find comfort elsewhere (drink and women)
He feels unloved and shouts, “You’d don’t understand anything. You never did. You never even tried-“
Accepts responsibility for what he did, “the fact remains that I did what I did”
Ashamed of parents for “ letting yourselves out nicely”