eric quotes

Question 1

“why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? we try for the highest possible prices”

Answer 1

rhetorical question: eric is questioning the ethics behind his fathers exploitive attitude towards the lower social classes - he deviates from the [half shy] presentation into the [assertive] one foreshadowed at the beginning
alliteration: puts emphasis on outdated and unjust social systems that have been created and upheld by older generation members like his parents

Question 2

“but don’t forget i’m ashamed of you as well - yes both of you”

Answer 2

connotations of “ashamed“: connotes embarrassment, revealing Eric‘s deep disillusionment and embarrassment because of this realisation of capitalists and her an exploitation of individuals
-: It simplifies a sentence, a canton inspectors concise speech, Eric is simplifying to his parents of older generation the importance of collected social responsibility