KEY QUOTES

• "early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive"

  - lacks self-assurance conveying mystery and ambiguity

  - asyndetic list conveys an overwhelming nature alluding to his social class from his bourgeois lifestyle

  - juxtaposing qualities 'shy' and 'assertive' showing complications in his confidence and his inner turmoil

  - 'half' shows he has not found himself
• takes decanter and helps himself'

  - numbing the pain from the parental love deficit

  - familiarity with alcohol, suffering alone?

  - upper class society focus on power and connections, their children are not priority
• how does Eric react when he finds out his mother did not help Eva?

  '(nearly at breaking point)' 'damn you, damn you
• Priestley's intentions?


  1. exposes imperfections of middle class family life

  2. offers middle class hope and redemption

  3. highlights the injustice of class inequality
• (laughing) "what does it matter now whether they give you a knighthood or not?"

  - inspector influences his socialistic transformation

  - Edwardian audience surprised by the dramatic volta in Eric, priestly using Eric as a foil to his unchanging parents the value of socialism

  - rhetorical question imitates the inspectors interrogative techniques, proxy

  - he progresses from subdued and self-conscious who 'checks himself' to a man who holds authority and self-esteem
• "I was in that state when a chap could easily turn nasty" but "she didn't want me to go in"

  - 'state' implies irresponsibility, does not articulate clearly, guilt?

  - 'chap' informal, archaic noun- choice, trying to play down his actions showing youth (interpretive 'chapped' breaks/cracks) JUXTAPOSES HIS SPEECH OF EVA BEING ABLE TO GET HIGHER WAGES...completing contradicting himself and deceives himself

  - has not yet fully accepted his actions as he cannot even bring himself to communicate it which links back to the lack of communication in his family

  - adverb 'easily' suggests how he tries to make it sounds less serious, possibly qualities from his parents

  - PERHAPS EVA DID NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO ERIC OR TAKE HIS MONEY OR MARRY HIM AND INSTEAD COMMIT SUICIDE BECAUSE OF HOW HE TREATED HER
• (As Birling tries to interrupt) "The money's not what's important. It's what happened to the girl and what we all did to her that matters"

  - Priestley's key message instilled to Eric, challenges audience to reflect and improve their actions

  - shifted power dynamics from Mr Birling to Eric, element of assertiveness

  - Eric rejects materialism/capitalism adopting valuing human life over money, socialist qualities

  -Eric proves that he is good at heart & understands how morally he and the birling's were to Eva.
• "you're squiffy"

  - sheila hints at his alcoholic nature, teasing - brother/sister relationship
• "why shouldn't they try for higher wages"

  - morals differ from father, sees class divide as less of an issue + sticking up for lower class

  - adopting inspectors rightly defensive and inquisitive nature
• "-Damn you- you killed them both-"

  -Hyphens = show distress and harsh language is used.

  -Eric reveals the inspectors' ability to turn people against each other.

  -"you"> shift of blame to Mrs B
• "She said she didn't want anymore and to see me again.."

  -Eric explains how Eva behaved more decently than any of the Birlings'.

  -Eva didn't accept the stolen money > reflects her moral character juxtaposing Eric who sexually exploited her and broke the law by stealing.