Eric - Exploitation

Question 1

How does Eric link to exploitation?

Answer 1

• Representation of Patriarchal society.

- Takes advantage of working-class women.

Question 2

‘I wasn’t in love with her or anything - but I liked her - she was pretty and a good sport’ (Act 3, Page 52)

Answer 2

• Objectification.
• Repetition of pronoun ‘her’ emphasises lack of identity and individuality.
• Adjective ‘pretty’ parallels with Gerald - attracted to her looks.
• ‘a good sport’ - Objectifies Eva. Perhaps presented as prey.
• Doesn’t call her through proper noun ‘Eva’ showing her lack of identity.

Question 3

Inspector says ‘just used her for the end of a stupid drunken evening, as if she was an animal, a thing, not a person’ (Act 3, Page 56)

Answer 3

• Dehumanisation.
• Verb ‘used’ has negative con. - mistreat and exploit. Objectifies Eva.
• Use of noun ‘animal’ eradicates the sense of humanity.
• Reinforced with use of ‘thing’ further objectifies her.
• Eric used her for his sexual desires, whilst dehumanising her.
• Simile.