Eric Birling

• 'What about war?' Act 1

  question- he is going against capitalist ideology as well as his 'father' who expects him to conform his beliefs and views on society and therefore the older generation- Eric is in a 'rose-tinted' reality because of Mr B's shielding and wealth
• 'clothes' Act 1


  The repetition of the noun 'clothes' highlights stereotypical gender roles of the early 20th century middle class society- 'clothes' reflect their wealth especially for women hence the comparative 'prettier' (Mr B)- hierarchy on appearance

  • materialistic
  • objectifies

  Need to work on their appearance to impress, ostentatious
• 'Why shouldn't they try for higher wages?'

  rhetorical question- Eric is observant 'half-shy, half-assertive'. The young question the system conscious of his family's flaws and imperfections. Beliefs workers should have rightss
• 'miserably' Act 3


  adverb(stage directions) money can't buy happiness- consequence of his actions/behaviour not fulfilled 'half-shy, 'half-assertive'. Eric is incomplete
• 'squiffy' Act 3


  repetition-again similar to Act 1- still irresponsible drinks his problems away. Clearly he is troubled trying to be numb/forget/temporarily fix
• 'in that state when a chap easily turns nasty...threatened' Act 3

  blames his actions on the 'drinks', too drunk too make any decisions

  'chaps'-noun makes is sound normal and that everyone does it and its okay to himself, generalises-reassurance

  'nasty'-adjective

  abusive-emotionally+physically because of his up bringing and how normally it occurred in the early 20th century

  'threatened'-verb-dangerous, unpredictable, abuses his power, uses his power as a 'man' against Eva-gender inequality, patriarchy
• 'hellish' Act 3


  adjective-realises his behaviour was awful, callous, against any morals, sinful, represents 7 deadly sins-lust-regret
• 'pretty...good sport' Act 3

  metaphor-he played with her-sexual connotation-seen as a game toyed with, objectified, once the season is up he gets bored he moved on hence 'pretty'-valuable temporarily-male validation- Eva is like a medal she's their but no one wants her
• 'fat old tarts' Act 3

  adjectives-misogynistic metaphor- 'tarts'-after thought in proportion sweet but too much becomes sickly
• 'you're not the kind of father a chap could go to when he's in trouble' Act 3

  dialogue- Eric cannot rely on his father Act 1 Mr B- 'a man has to make his own way' Mr B lives by his ignorance's with pride shows that Mr B lacks a paternal fatherhood figure that Eric needs to grow

  • 'chap'-repetition-shows how normal he thinks his life is , 'spoilt', unaware, shielded
• 'you killed her...you killed them both' Act 3

  audience are not convinced Eric has learned from his mistakes. The repetition of 'you' he is deffering responsibility when his crimes were more severe. Eric is victimising himself. Transfers blame responsibility. Eric is a coward ironically behaves like his father untrustworthy
• 'damn you-' Act 3

  repetition of the verb-'damn'-ironically Eric is passing judgement aggressively hence 'threatening' leaving Sheila 'frightened' and Mrs B 'distressed'
• 'hysterically' Act 3


  adverb-just like Sheila but needed more of a push realisation, deeply troubled, change
• 'He was our police inspector all right' Act 3

  dialogue-it suggests that the Inspectors purpose was to make the Birling's accept responsibility to their crimes before another police inspector comes to do his 'duty'. Furthermore, it fits in with the idea that 'Goole' is actually a ghostly figure who's final 'duty' in life was to confront the Birling's and then I.G can finally make peace in life and can be content in death and rest.