3.4.2
Eric Quotes
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Eric - Key Quote (Act 1)
[Not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive]. Here's an analysis of this key quote from Act 1:
Represents cracks in family
- Eric is immediately described as someone who is uncomfortable as part of the Birling family.
- This separates him from them straight away.
- He seems to be shy and unsure around his own family, which suggests there are cracks in their family relationships straight away.
Treated like a child
- His parents think of him as a child, and do not take him seriously – he feels like he cannot be himself around them.
- This adds to the idea that upper-class families present fake images to protect their reputations.
Eric - Key Quote (Act 1)
‘Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?’ Here's an analysis of this key quote from Act 1:
Socially aware and socialist
- Eric is the first one to suggest that lower-class people should be treated better (despite him treating Eva so poorly).
- It is obvious why Eric and his parents do not share a close relationship - their personalities are so different, and Eric obviously leans more towards socialism than capitalism.
- This could be why he is so uncomfortable being in their company. He seems to be tired of their judgements around lower-class people and seems to be the most socially aware member of the family at the start of the play.
Goes against social norms
- He openly contradicts his father in front of people – a serious social faux pas (mistake or not polite) at this time.
Eric - Key Quote (Act 3)
‘I don’t give a damn’. Here's an analysis of this key quote from Act 3:
Breaking point
- Eric openly, and loudly, dismisses his father in front of his entire family and Gerald.
- He shows that he does not respect his father at all, which leaves the audience wondering what their relationship will be like after the play finishes.
- Eric is tired of his parents taking no responsibility for their actions and is fed up of Mr Birling’s obsession with his knighthood and himself.
- This line shows the breaking point in Eric’s relationship with his parents.
1Plot Summary
2Context & Key Themes
2.1Context & Key Themes
2.1.1Social Class & Equality2.1.2Class Tension2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism2.1.5Blame & Responsibility2.1.6Attitudes to Women2.1.7Characterisation of Women2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 22.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes2.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism2.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna2.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play2.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith
3Key Characters
3.1Mr Birling
3.2Mrs Birling
3.6Inspector Goole
3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters
4Authorial Method
5Recap: Main Quotes
5.1Mr Birling Quotes
5.2Mrs Birling Quotes
5.6Inspector Goole Quotes
Jump to other topics
1Plot Summary
2Context & Key Themes
2.1Context & Key Themes
2.1.1Social Class & Equality2.1.2Class Tension2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism2.1.5Blame & Responsibility2.1.6Attitudes to Women2.1.7Characterisation of Women2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 22.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes2.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism2.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna2.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play2.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith
3Key Characters
3.1Mr Birling
3.2Mrs Birling
3.6Inspector Goole
3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters
4Authorial Method
5Recap: Main Quotes
5.1Mr Birling Quotes
5.2Mrs Birling Quotes
5.6Inspector Goole Quotes
Practice questions on Eric Quotes
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- 2How is Eric described in Act 1?True / false
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