Eric Birling Flashcards
What does Eric do in the play
- Drinks too much at the family dinner
- Met Eva Smith in the bar and got her pregnant
- Stole money from his father’s firm to give to Eva
- Accuses his mother of killing her own unborn grandchild
- Accepts guilt, whether the inspector is real or not
What is Eric
A misfit
Why is Eric a misfit
He doesn’t share his father’s ‘hard headed’ attitude to business and to his employer
What is Eric a metaphor for
The wider exploitation of women
How is Eric a metaphor for the wider exploitation of women
How they are exploited by more powerful men, as they’re at their disposal in the work place and even though they can be a “good worker” women can be sacked at any moment. This can further represent a lack of financial safety for the working class.
What is the evidence that Eric is unloved
Says to mother ‘You don’t understand anything. You never did.’
What is the evidence that Eric is an alcoholic
“Could I have a drink first”
“Needs a drink just to see him through”
“I was in a state where a chap can easily turn nasty”
What is the affect of Eric’s dependency on alcohol to the audience
The audience are empathetic for Eric’s dependency on alcohol as he attempts to find comfort the only way he can because his parent “don’t understand anything about his life and “never will”
Why has Priestly mad Eric an alcoholic
Eric’s alcoholism is representation of the rich’s true behaviour as they rely on secrecy to keep their reputation and Eric’s actions under the influence of alcohol can be seen as how wild society would be if they remain in their positions.
How does Eric being a misfit affect the family
Eric’s laugh interrupts polite conversation earlier in the play. It’s the same when his behaviour disrupts the polite middle-class illusion of respectability. They’re all keeping up appearances- but Eric’s making it obvious that there’s something murky underneath. Shows a the youth can’t function in that society.
