January 2013 – In the stage directions, Priestley refers to Eric as ‘not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive’. How does Priestley present these and other ideas about Eric in AIC? (30 marks)

Towards the end of the play, Priestley uses Eric to convey the gender divisions during the Edwardian era. Eric states that “she was a good sport”, this clearly shows a lack of disrespect for women however, this was common during this era. The pronoun “she” is significant because it shows how his feelings towards Eva were impersonal and he does not feel compassion for her and she is of no importance to him. Furthermore, the idea that he sees Eva as a “sport” suggests that he thinks that she is a game he can play. This reflects that Eric is foolish and does not see women as equal to men and Eric may feel that women only exist to entertain men and can be played when ever suits him. This makes the audience feel irritated by Eric’s ignorance and feel distaste towards him. Moreover, “sport” could represent Eric’s life and in the end Eric loses the game and Eva and his child. Alternatively, the idea that he sees Eva as a “sport” could suggest that he is naïve and uncertain of the world around him because he does not truly understand life as he has been sheltered from hardships. This also makes the audience feel irritated that a person who is of a higher social class could be so innocent to the realities of life. Priestley may have used Eric to convey how women were seen as second-class citizens and were not respected by the superior males.

In Act one, Priestley uses Eric to show that there is hope for change in future generations. Eric wonders “why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?”, which  conveys that Eric is perhaps quite thoughtful and that despite having grown up in a plentiful life he is wise and can still understand the hardships of others. The fact that he questions his father about how he runs his business, suggests that Eric is beginning to become more confident in himself. This perhaps foreshadows that Eric will become more confident and braver as the night continues and become more willing to stand up for what he believes. It also highlights to the audience the key differences in the older and younger generations. Alternatively, the adverb “why” is significant as it suggests that Eric is unsure about his fathers business and hence has a lack of understanding of the world around him. Furthermore, it could reflect how Eric is generally confused and does not understand his purpose in life or what to do with himself other than to drink. This makes the audience feel sympathy for Eric as we understand that he is perhaps feeling this way because of his family’s behaviour. Priestley has used Eric to convey the generational conflict that could occur during the Edwardian era to show that times were changing and that there was hope that younger generations understood that they had responsibilities to each other.

Priestley uses Eric to convey to the audience that the upper classes were out of touch with the times and that their arrogance had lead them to become naïve. In Act three, Eric states that “she treated me – as if I were a kid”, which conveys that he does not enjoy this. The use of the dash puts emphasis on the idea that he was treated like a “kid”, this suggests that Eric is perhaps uncertain as to why a woman could make him feel this way when he should be superior because of his sex. Furthermore, the reference to the personal pronouns, “I” and “me” conveys that he is selfish and cares only about himself, just as the upper classes usually did. This angers the audience because when the tragedy is Eva’s death he is still concerned about the way she treated him. The verb “treated” conveys that he expected Eva to treat him respectfully and admire him because he was upper class. This focus on the treatment Eric received reminds the audience that Eva was not treated as she should have been and so Eric deserved treatment. To some extent Eva appears to be defying the class system by making Eric who is upper class feel this way. This makes the reader feel pride for Eva’s courage and defiance and anger at Eric’s arrogance because he feels that he is upper class and Eva should refer to him with respect. Priestley may have used Eric to convey how crucial change was within society and how we should judge people on their abilities and personalities – not on their social status.