eric

• "he could've kept her on instead of throwing her out" - eric


  he is disagreeing with his father and Gerald in the same way Sheila did, showing that the younger generation are more easily influenced and are able to have their views altered.
• "well don't do any. We'll drink" - eric


  Eric is desperate to have a drink perhaps showing the severity of his drinking problem not yet mentioned, it's foreshadowing later themes.
• "(stage directions) half-shy, half-assertive" - eric


  this foreshadows Eric's drinking problem, behaving "shy" and "assertive" are very different characteristics suggesting that he has two identities, one when he is sober and the other when he's drunk. This may confuse the audience. He is seen as unauthorative and naive to his parents but was authorative over Eva.
• "I don't even remember- that's the hellish thing" - eric


  "hellish" has religious connotations, we know that eric has done something bad so he believes he (and his family) are destined for hell, showing disgrace for his actions.
• "why shouldn't they try for higher wages?" - eric


  he is sticking up for the lower class very early on in the play, showing his potential to change and to become socialist in the beginning. The audience respect him and this state of mind is seen as the echo of Priestley's voice and morals.