"I was in that state where a chap easily turns nasty"

• Analysis 


  Eric’s statement reflects his attempt to excuse his behavior by attributing it to his drunken state. The phrase “a chap easily turns nasty” serves to minimize his responsibility, as it shifts the blame to the influence of alcohol, thereby suggesting that his actions were not fully under his control. This reflects the broader theme of moral weakness, as Eric seems to be displacing responsibility for his actions, especially when it comes to the abuse of power and exploitation of Eva. The use of “nasty” reveals the depth of his wrongdoing, though he downplays it as a common occurrence
• Alternative interpretation 


  An alternative interpretation could be that Eric is unconsciously acknowledging a deeper flaw in his character. Rather than merely using alcohol as an excuse, he might be hinting at the way that young men in his social class are conditioned to treat women poorly. By calling it "nasty," Eric might be trying to distance himself from the ugliness of his actions, while simultaneously exposing how deeply ingrained such behavior is within his societal context 
• Themes

  Abuse of Power and Gender Inequality:Eric’s statement reflects the theme of abuse of power, revealing how men in his class exploit women, seeing them as commodities to be used and discarded

  Alcoholism and Moral Weakness:Eric’s reliance on alcohol to excuse his behavior highlights his moral weakness and struggle with guilt, underscoring the play’s theme of responsibility and the difficulty of confronting one’s actions while under the influence
• Writers intentions 


  Priestley uses Eric’s statement to underscore the theme of moral corruption and the flaws of the ruling class. Through Eric’s casual dismissal of his actions, Priestley critiques how societal structures enable such behavior to go unchecked. By framing Eric’s actions as “easily” provoked by alcohol, Priestley highlights the complacency of the upper class, who fail to take responsibility for their abuse of power. This is part of Priestley’s broader message about the dangers of privilege and the need for social reform