In this document, there is a summary of the character of Eric that helped me achieve 34/34 in my inspector calls essay. Within this, there is my own advice, detailed quotes, key points and key vocabulary as well as an introduction to help structure your answer efficiently. There is also a typed up ...
Advice
In order to get a decent grade in this exam, you need to treat it as more of an essay than an
exam – by this, I mean you will need to establish a clear point of view, arguing your point
throughout your essay and linking to each paragraph. This will create a coherent essay that flows
and shows that you are clearly educated and have thought about your point of view before
entering the exam. This will allow the examiner to see your extended knowledge and put you
into the high grade brackets.
To effectively structure your essay, I found that memorizing/partially memorizing an
introduction that you can adapt to fit each character or theme helps out a lot in the exam,
especially when under pressure from the time.
You should take approximately 45 minutes writing your essay and even though many are taught
to spend 5 minutes planning and 5 minutes of reading, they are not necessary if you have
revised smartly. For example, I have one, double-sided flashcard for each character and on one
side I have key vocabulary and my points I would make about them, and on the other I would
have my key quotes. I would then have memorized an introduction which I could immediately
start writing regardless of the question focus and adapt it depending on which character/theme
is in question
Key vocabulary
Impetuous – acting quickly without thought or care e.g. Priestley determinedly presents Eric as
impetuous, as seen when he irrationally and abruptly rapes Eva Smith for his own pleasure, to
emphasize the superior male stereotype as male’s actions were unquestioned at the time due to
their dominating nature.
Truculent – ready to fight/ always on the edge of violence e.g. Eric is presented as truculent in
the opening scene, as seen in the quote “half shy, half assertive” to highlight his insecurity within
his gender as we learn that he struggles to fulfill his father’s expectations and similarly does not
fulfil the male stereotype at the time either.
Laissez-faire – leaving things to take care of themselves e.g. Priestley presents Eric as having a
laissez-faire attitude towards life and in doing so reveals Eric’s aristocratic persona as he has no
motivation to take over his father’s business even though he is expected to in the future.
Solipsism – selfish/ self-centered e.g. Eric’s solipsism is first seen by the audience when it is
revealed that he stole money from his father’s business to support his concubine (Eva Smith)
without caring about the consequences of his actions, especially as Eric will one day manage the
business.
Repentant – sincere feelings of regret and remorse e.g. Eric’s moral and socially epiphany
becomes evidence where he repents his actions towards Eva Smith, therefore defying the upper
class stereotype as he recognizes his brutal behaviour towards the poor.
Metamorphis – a dramatic change e.g. Eric undergoes a moral and social epiphany in the form
of a metamorphis as he is informed of his families actions towards Eva, whilst also acknowledge
the brutish actions towards her which he himself has perpetrated.
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