Eric Birling Flashcards
“In his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive”
Eric is out of place - he does not fit in.
Shy but if he has something to say he isn’t afraid.
“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?”
Quick to condemn behaviours of his family.
At some sense with the lower class - he is compassionate.
“in that state when a chap easily turns nasty”
Here the audience knows for certain he is an alcoholic.
His behaviour is despicable as he takes advantage of Eva.
“because you’re not the type of father a chap comes to when he’s in trouble”
Eric and his father have a bad relationship.
“You don’t understand anything. You never did. You never even tried”
Eric to his mother: His relationship with his mother is little better than that with his father.
“yes, and you killed her - and the child she was to have too - my child - your grandchild - you killed them both”
Eric acts in an extreme and violent manner, putting the blame on to his mother - this could also be an explosion of emotions that have been built up for Eric towards his mother.
“Not likely to forget”
“It’s the same rotten story whether it’s been told to a police inspector or to somebody else”
Eric is willing to accept responsibility and he is prepared to change.
