Eric Quotes : Capitalism vs Socialism // Class Flashcards
“[not too rudely] Well, don’t do any. We’ll drink to their health and have done with it.”
Eric is eager to be done with talk of their engagement as he realizes the ridiculousness of the toasts for a marriage which is merely a transaction.
Eric disapproves, however, he is powerless to do anything. This is aptly demonstrated by Priestley through the stage directions as Eric interrupts“[not too rudely]” as he doesn’t have the power to challenge his father directly yet is not quite at ease with the capitalist purpose of his sister’s marriage.
“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?”
“you said yourself she was a good worker”
Eric questions “why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?” as he believes that the capitalist system ought to be fair to both employers and employees. He puts forward amoral form of capitalism, pointing out to Birling,“you said yourself she was a good worker”,implying that she should be financially rewarded for this.
