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.

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

1.1Act 1

1.1.1Act 1 Summary

1.1.2Act 1 Key Quotes

1.2Act 2

1.2.1Act 2 Summary

1.2.2Act 2 Key Quotes

1.3Act 3

1.3.1Act 3 Summary

1.3.2Act 3 Key Quotes

1.3.3Act 3 More Key Quotes

1.3.4End of Topic Test - Acts 1, 2 & 3

2Context & Key Themes

2.1Context & Key Themes

2.1.1Social Class & Equality

2.1.2Class Tension

2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption

2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism

2.1.5Blame & Responsibility

2.1.6Attitudes to Women

2.1.7Characterisation of Women

2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters

2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 2

2.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes

3Key Characters

3.1Mr Birling

3.1.1Mr Birling Analysis

3.1.2Mr Birling Quotes

3.2Mrs Birling

3.2.1Mrs Birling Analysis

3.2.2Mrs Birling Quotes

3.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Mrs Birling

3.3Sheila

3.3.1Sheila Analysis

3.3.2Sheila Quotes

3.3.3End of Topic Test - The Birlings & Sheila

3.4Eric

3.4.1Eric Analysis

3.4.2Eric Quotes

3.5Gerald

3.5.1Gerald Analysis

3.5.2Gerald Quotes

3.6Inspector Goole

3.6.1Inspector Goole Analysis

3.6.2Inspector Goole Quotes

3.6.3End of Topic Test - Eric, Gerald & Inspector Goole

3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.7.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

4Authorial Method

4.1Arrangement & Structure of the Play

4.1.1Setting, Lighting & Dramatic Irony

4.1.2Structure & Chronology

4.1.3Structure & Chronology 2

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Authorial Method

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