eric birling Flashcards
i’m AIC, how does priestly present eric ?
as an i mature , privileged boy who changes in the course of the play
how is he used in the play ?
to show that the younger generation are more likely to change and want fairer society
how is he presented through the stage direction?
immature man
“early twenties not quite at ease ,half shy ,half assertive”
he’s awkward and doesn’t fit in
arthur dominates eric which would have been…
typical of father son relationships in the stricter early 1900s
however, when the inspector begins questioning the family ,we see him…
gain a bit more confidence a critisice his fathers attitude towards sacking eva “it isn’t if you can’t go and work somewhere else”
his secret life is exposed infront of his family by the inspector. the audience find that he is an aggressive drunk.
what quote backs this up?
“a chap easily turns nasty”
(not a question)
eric’s behaviour can also be excused as, within 1912 society, women were precieved as being inferior to men in all aspects of life.
not only has he got eva pregnant he has …
which could lead to a …
“stolen money” from his fathers buisness
•”public scandal” that would harm the families reputation.
when eva returns in act 3 the family …
have been discussing his behaviour.
we learn that eva is pregnant (quote)
“she was going to have a baby”
after the inspector leaves, mr birling singles eric out as the person to blame
“you’re the one to blame for this”
he’s the obvious villain of the piece . but accepts responsibility for what he did.
“the facts remain that i did what i did “
transforms from an …
into an…
•awkward uncertain individual
•assertive young man willing to challenge his parents beliefs
