An Inspector Calls Characters - Eric

Question 1

Give 3 quotes that demonstrate Eric is presented as immature

Answer 1

“I don’t know - really. Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh”
“You’re squiffy”
“You’ve had enough of that port, Eric”

Question 2

Give 3 quotes that show how Eric attempts to assert his point of view

Answer 2

“What about war?”
“Yes I know - but still -“
“You’ve a lot to learn yet”

Question 3

Give 4 examples of Eric contradicting his father in the middle of the play

Answer 3

“It isn’t if you can’t go and work somewhere else”
“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices”
“He could have kept her on instead of throwing her out”
“I’d have let her stay”

Question 4

Give 3 Quotes that demonstrate Eric drinks too much

Answer 4

“He’s been steadily drinking too much for the past 2 years”
(his whole manner of handling the decanter and then the drink shows his familiarity with quick and heavy drinking)

Question 5

Give 5 quotes that show Eric’s dishonesty and mistreatment of Eva

Answer 5

“she was pretty and a good sport”
“she told me she didn’t want me to go in”
“I was in a state when a chap easily turns nasty”
“about 50 pounds all told”
“she didn’t want me to marry her. Said I didn’t love her - and all that”

Question 6

Give 2 quotes that show how Eric attempts to shift the blame

Answer 6

“You’re no the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble”
“Then - you killed her… my child - your own grandchild - you killed them both - damn you, damn you!”

Question 7

Give 1 quote that shows Eric’s distress

Answer 7

(nearly at breaking point) (almost threatening her)

Question 8

Give 7 quotes that show Eric accepts responsibility

Answer 8

“my God - I’m not likely to forget”
“I’ll bet I am”
“He was our police inspector all right”
“The girls still dead, isn’t she?”
“The fact remains that I did what I did”
“And I say the girls dead and we all helped kill her - and that’s what matters-“
“I agree with Sheila. It frightens me too”