Eric Birling

Who are Eric's Parents?

• Arthur and Sybil Burtling

• Arty and Sheila Birling

• Arthur and Sheila Birling

• Arthur and Sybil Birling

Eric and his father have a difficult relationship because...

• Eric feels that his father is too caring

• Eric feels that his father is never around

• Eric feels as though his father never listens to him and puts him down, this makes him feel worthless

• Eric wishes he was treated more like Sheila

Gerald is treated with respect by Arthur, why might this upset Eric?

• Eric wishes he was treated respectfully by his father, much like Gerald is.

• Eric wishes his father would see him as more than just a boy.

• Eric wishes his father was kinder towards him and actually tried to understand him.

• All of the above.

Select ALL the quotes that Eric speaks in relation to Eva's death below...

• 'My God-I'm not likely to forget'

• 'the fact remains that I did what I did'

• "I needed her more than she needed me"

• "I was drunk"

Why does Eric turn to blame his mother?

• He liked the fact that he wasn't entirely responsible.

• He was disappointed by how Ignorant she was

• He could understand why his mother chose to do what she did.

Why did Eric feel he needed Eva Smith?

• he hated his home life.

• He felt he needed to gain some power and control and Eva was an easy target.

• He needed someone he could talk to, to express how he truly felt.

When Eric says this; 'the fact remains that I did what I did'. What does this reveal about Eric and how he feels about what he has done?

• He feels that he is solely responsible for her death.

• He accepts the blame and explains how he feels responsible for her death.

• He does not feel responsible for her death at all.

In Act 1 (at the start of the play), Eric challenges his father about...

• His fashion sense

• His treatment of his workers and how much they are paid

• How he runs his business

Why is it important that Eric disagree with his father?

• It shows how there is more hope for the younger generation because they are more intune with the way the world works.

• It shows the potential Eric has to be a better version than his father.

• It shows that he is scared of his father.

• It shows that he is silencing his father in the play and showing how he is fighting back and taking some power for himself.

Eric is described as feeling 'agitated' by the death of Eva and it seems to impact him physically (sweating) as well as mentally. Why do you think he reacts in this way?

• He feels guilty for what he has done.

• He hates the fact that he was a coward.

• He realises that he had used her for support and sympathy.

• He realises that he had used her as a way of potentially gaining power.