Eric Birling

Question 1

True or False? Eric believes his father was justified in dismissing Eva / Daisy.

Answer 1

False. He thinks it was unfair of him to dismiss Eva / Daisy, claiming he doesn’t see why she should be dismissed “just because she’d a bit more spirit than the others”.

Question 2

Where does Eric meet Eva / Daisy?

Answer 2

He meets her in the bar of the Palace theatre.

Question 3

Give an example that suggests Eric feels isolated.

Answer 3

He claims that his mother doesn’t understand him and “never even tried” to, and that his father isn’t “the kind of father” he can go to when he’s in trouble.

Question 4

What evidence is there before the Inspector’s arrival that there is something suspicious about Eric?

Answer 4

Eric is described as “not quite at ease” in the opening stage directions, and with Arthur and Gerald he begins to say something but stops himself. This suggests he has something to hide from them. He is also “uneasy” when Gerald makes a joke about him being “up to something”, which seems suspicious to the audience.

Question 5

Explain how Eric’s treatment of Eva / Daisy is different to Gerald’s.

Answer 5

Eric is less kind to Eva / Daisy than Gerald. Gerald takes Eva / Daisy on as a mistress, giving her somewhere to stay because he feels sympathy for her, whereas Eric forces himself on her and treats her “as if she was an animal”. Furthermore, Eric gets her pregnant, which forces Eva / Daisy to turn to charity for assistance.

Question 6

Was Eric worried when he found out that Eva / Daisy was pregnant?

Answer 6

Yes — he says he was “in hell of a state about it”.

Question 7

Where does Eric steal money from?

Answer 7

He steals money from his father’s office.

Question 8

What reason does eric give for not going to his father when he gets Eva / Daisy pregnant?

Answer 8

He claims Arthur is not “the kind of father a chap could go to” when in trouble.

Question 9

Do you think Eric cares about his Public reputation? Use examples to support your answer.

Answer 9

Eric doesn’t care about his reputation. He allowed himself to get too drunk (“rather far gone”) in public, and when Arthur worries “There’ll be a public scandal”, Eric tells him “I don’t care”.

Question 10

‘Eric is a victim, not a villain.’ Do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 10

• Eric can be seen as a
  victim due to his poor
  relationship with his father.
  Arthur seems to provide
  Gerald, leaving Eric out
  when he asks “What’s the
  joke?” Their poor
  relationship leads to Eric
  stealing money — he feels
  he can’t go to his father for
  help.
• He is not a complete villain
  because he understands
  that his actions towards
  Eva / Daisy were wrong.
  He says “the fact remains
  that I did what I did”, which
  suggests that he accepts
  responsibility for his part in
  Eva / Daisy’s death.
• Although he accepts
  responsibility, he has still
  treated Eva / Daisy terribly,
  leading to her suicide. This
  ultimately makes him more
  of a villain than a victim.