ERIC QUOTES

Question 1

“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages…

Answer 1

We try for the highest possible prices.”?
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
eric challenges his fathers capitialist mindset

Question 2

“You’re not the kind of father…

Answer 2

a chap could go to when he’s in trouble.”
GENERATIONAL DIVIDE
shows how the older generation disregarded the younger

Question 3

“I was in that state when a…

Answer 3

…chap easily turns nasty”
GENDER INEQUALITY

His drunkenness SYMBOLISES the MORAL DECAY of the upper class, showing how WEALTH often SHIELDS people from IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES.

Question 4

“You killed her! She came to…

Answer 4

… you to protect me—and you turned her away.”
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
ERIC DIRECTLY ACUSES HIS MOTHER OF EVAS DEATH
showing his frustration with the og’s cold heartedness

Question 5

“We all helped to kill her…

Answer 5

—that’s what matters.”
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
His reaction contrasts with his parents desire to shift blame

Question 6

“Well, I don’t blame you…

Answer 6

…But don’t forget I’m ashamed of you as well.”
GENERATIONAL DIVIDE

Eric distances himself from his parents, showing a moral divide between the generations.
younger generation = societies hope for change

Question 7

“The girl’s dead and we all

Answer 7

helped to kill her—that’s what matters.”
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Eric’s straight forward reaction echoes the inspector’s teachings

Question 8

“It’s what happened to…

Answer 8

the girl and what we all did to her that matters.”
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY/GUILT

Question 9

“Oh—my God!—…

Answer 9

…how stupid it all is!”
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY/GUILT
his sudden realisations marks his guiltiness

Question 10

“Could I have…

Answer 10

a drink first?”
SOCIAL CLASS - alcoholism
being rich and of a higher class doesn’t prevent dysfunction

Question 11

“I hate these fat old tarts…

Answer 11

…tarts around town”
SOCIAL CLASS
eric is dissmissive of those who are of a similar social standing to him

Question 12

“She treated me…

Answer 12

… as if I were a kid.”
GENDER INEQUALITY
despite evas lower classness she has a stronger moral compass than eric , which he takes advantage of.

Question 13

“I wasn’t in love with her …

Answer 13

anything—but I liked her—she was pretty and a good sport.”

GENDER INEQUALITY

Eric’s CASUAL TONE reduces Eva to ENTERTAINMENT.
A04 - this was a common misconseption of the early 20th century ; women were assets

Question 14

“You lot may be letting…

Answer 14

… yourselves out nicely, but I can’t.
GENERATIONAL DIVIDE
eric expresses deep guilt unlike his parents who prioritise themselves over others

Question 15

“You haven’t made it any easier…

Answer 15

for me, have you, Mother?”
GENERATIONAL DIVIDE - talk about family dysfunction
Eric’s accusation highlights the emotional and ideological gap between him and his mother.