Eric Birling Flashcards
(8 cards)
Stage Directions Quotes
“In his early twenties”
“not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive.”
Act 1 Quotes
(To Birling’s speech) “What about war?”
(When hearing what happened to Eva) “[involuntarily] My God!”
“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices.”
“Well, I think it’s a dam’ shame.”
“He could have kept her [Eva Smith] on instead of throwing her out.”
Act 2 Quotes
“Mrs Birling: He’s only a boy.
Inspector: No, he’s a young man. And some young men drink far too much.
Sheila: And Eric’s one of them.”
Act 3 Quotes (before inspector leaves)
“Because you’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble – that’s why.”
Eric to mother: “(nearly at breaking point) Then – you killed her… your own grandchild – you killed them both – damn you, damn you –“
How does Eric quotes about his alcohol addiction in act 3?
(To Sheila) “You told her. Why, you little sneak!”
“[miserably] Could I have a drink first”
“[ERIC goes for a whisky. His whole manner of handling the decanter and then the drink shows his familiarity with quick heavy drinking.]”
Quotes from Eric’s confession
“I insisted - it seems”
“I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty - and I threatened to make a row.”
“And I didn’t even remember - that’s the hellish thing. Oh - my God! - how stupid it all is!”
“I wasn’t in love with her or anything - but I liked her she was pretty and a good sport”
“I hate these fat old tarts round the town”
“she treated me - as I were a kid. Though I was nearly as old as she was.”
“I insisted on giving her enough money to keep her going - until she refused to take any more”
Act 3 (After inspector leaves)
“I do take some interest in it. I take too much, that’s my trouble.”
“This girl’s still dead, isn’t she ? Nobody’s brought her to life, have they ?”
“Whoever that chap was, the fact remains that I did what I did. And Mother did what she did. And the rest of you did what you did to her. It’s still the same rotten story”
“I agree with Sheila. It frightens me too.”
“(shouting) And I say the girl’s dead and we all helped to kill her – and that’s what matters -“
