Eric

• What does Eric accuse his mother of in the quote “you killed her – and the child…your own grandchild”?

  He accuses her of killing Eva and the child
• How does Eric's accusation reflect on his character?

  It shows his attempt to absolve himself of blame
• What does Eric's statement “You don’t understand anything. You never did. You never even tried” imply about his relationship with his mother?

  It suggests a deep-seated frustration and disconnect
• What literary devices does Priestley use in Eric's quote about his mother?

  Repetition and hyperbole
• What does Eric's sudden laughter after Gerald's comment suggest?

  It indicates he knows about Gerald's unfaithfulness
• How does Eric's experience with prostitutes affect his view of Eva?

  He sees her innocence as exploitable
• What does the adjective “usual” imply about Eric's behavior?

  It suggests frequent visits to prostitutes
• What does Eric express disgust towards in the quote “I hate these fat old tarts”?

  His own hypocrisy in seeking sex
• What social commentary does Priestley make through Eric's views on prostitution?

  It highlights the exploitation of lower-class women
• What does Eric mean by “I insisted – it seems” regarding his visit to Eva?

  He may have overwhelmed her resistance
• How does Eric's use of “it seems” reflect his feelings of guilt?

  It shows his attempt to distance from guilt
• What does Eric's switch from first person to third person signify in “in that state when a chap easily turns nasty”?

  His subconscious distancing from his actions
• How does Eric trivialize his violent actions in his language?

  By using colloquial terms like “a chap”
• What does Eric mean by “I threatened to make a row”?

  He refers to his violent language
• How does Priestley use euphemism in Eric's statement about making a row?

  To soften the severity of his actions
• What is Eric's emotional response to Eva's death in “(Involuntarily) My God!”?

  It shows his innate morality
• What does the adverb “involuntarily” suggest about Eric's character?

  He cannot suppress his emotional reaction
• How does Eric's reaction to Eva's death contrast with societal expectations?

  It defies patriarchal norms of emotion
• What does Eric's comment “[not too rudely] Well, don’t do any” reveal about his feelings towards the engagement toast?

  He finds it ridiculous and transactional
• How does Eric's power dynamic with his father affect his behavior?

  He feels powerless to challenge his father
• What moral stance does Eric take regarding workers' rights in “Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?”?

  He believes in fair treatment for workers
• How does Eric's statement “you said yourself she was a good worker” challenge Mr. Birling's views?

  It implies workers deserve fair compensation