eric birling

Question 1

eric birling

(- ) could I have a -?

Answer 1

(miserably) could I have a drink?

• adverb miserably shows his deep unhappiness. has to live with his regrets and guilt with Eva everyday also guilt of sleeping with a working class woman

modal verb could shows a lack in erics confidence, he still needs his fathers approval, affirmance to do with even little things
-he has a clear dependency on alcohol and is nervous and hopes the alcohol sobers himself up

Question 2

eric birling

half - - assertive

Answer 2

half shy half assertive

• is eric really shy or is he just hiding something
• shy and assertive are oxymoronic the statements contradict each other leaving an odd tension arising

Question 3

Eric birling

i - even remember - that’s the - thing

Answer 3

i don’t even remember - that’s the hellish thing

• (-) the pause could link into his drinking problem , cant think of what to say or he feels so much shame he cant admit to his actions
  -hellish adjective with religious connotations he and his family are destined to go to hell
• he’s done devil like things

Question 4

Eric birling

she - a good -

Answer 4

she was a good sport

• was past tense recognising that she’s no longer here
• sport - patronising and dehumanises her connotations of a hobby, something used to pass the time with
  = thinks its acceptable to objectify women because of her social status
• makes women seem disposable
  -example as what women were perceived as by men in 1912