Eric Birling Key Language & structural Features

Question 1

Differences with him and his father

Answer 1

Eric acts as dramatic irritant to his father challenging his ideology – contradicting him / interrupting / asking questions

Question 2

Euphemism

Answer 2

Eric uses a euphemism to describe his sexual assault on Eva Smith: ‘that’s when it happened.’

Question 3

Fragmented language

Answer 3

Eric’s language is fragmented as he becomes emotional / hysterical. The dashed could also represent the break down in his relationship with his mother.

Question 4

Attack on his mother

Answer 4

As his attack on his mother continues, his language becomes more violent as he repeats ‘killed’ three times. The effect on the reader is highly shocking as this language completely contrasts with the polite, euphemistic language of earlier in the play. Priestley effectively uses the semantic field of heaven and hell when Eric describes what he did to Eva Smith: ‘that’s the hellish thing. Oh - my God!

Question 5

Emulating the Inspector

Answer 5

When the Inspector leaves Eric emulates the Inspector using the Inspector’s harsh, commanding language. Priestley does this so the Inspector’s presence is felt on stage and a reminder to the audience to look at their own conscience. (“the girl’s dead”)

Question 6

Stage directions

Answer 6

Eric’s character develops - stage directions, e.g. ‘uneasily’ / ‘unease’; ‘suddenly guffaws’ – by the end ‘shouting’