Eric Birling
o Conveys ambivalence (uncertainty) in mindset through erratic stage directions [shouting] [quietly]
o Arguably most active social conscience, demonstrating ability to change from beginning of the play
and acceptance at the end
o When he gives Eva stolen money could be commenting that wealth doesn’t replace integrity and that
there needs to be an even distribution of wealth so people like Eric can become socially aware
o Can be seen as weak and emotional leading us to question whether he’s too reliant on parents
o His baby symbolises bridge between upper and lower class
o Portrays societal norms as reasons for immoral behaviour
o Accepts responsibility, yet rejects sole responsibility for suicide
o Presented with capacity for empathy and emotion, separating him and Sheila from other characters,
suggesting moral superiority
o Explicitly acknowledges internal corruption and hypocrisy of upper class
o Eric recognises how his father is hypocritical in hiding his views from Inspector as he “[Laughs
bitterly] I didn’t notice you told him that it’s every man for himself”. Eric lets out a “bitter” laugh
because he realises Mr Birling’s hypocrisy, yet, there is no humour to be found in the moraless
capitalism, which his father abides by.
o Eric interrupts through the stage directions, he does it “[not too rudely]” as he doesn’t have the
power to challenge his father directly yet is not quite at ease with the capitalist purpose of his sister’s
marriage.
o Contradictory coping mechanisms as his response to materialism and hypocrisy of his family is
alcohol, showing immorality is not beyond anyone
o The audience’s sympathy for Eric is maintained by Priestley throughout the play in an attempt to
keep him redeemable. We are shown potential reasons for Eric’s behaviour which can allow the
audience to sympathise with him. Priestley attempts to encourage a positive perception of Eric
through a deflection of blame onto his parents and the society in which he lives.
o In direct opposition to Birling ideologically to juxtapose and mirror socialism vs capitalism conflict –
put him in position of favour and sympathy with audience
o Mrs Birling
In that state when a chap easily turns nasty (guilt) Priestley uses the euphemistic phrase as a substitute for
Eric’s admittance of being drunk. choice of colloquial language normalises Eric’s lack of restraint which
implies that it’s the alcohol which caused him to act in that way, not his lack of morals. This prompts the
question of whether he would have abused Eva if he was sober. demonstrates Eric’s subconscious attempts
to distance himself from his actions by switching from first person to third person as he refers to himself as “
a chap” rather than ‘I’. Eric’s trivialisation of such violence of a possible rape, through the colloquial use of
“a chap” is an attempt by Eric to soften the harshness of his actions.
“You don’t understand anything. You never did. You never even tried” (responsibility) Eric continues to
undermine himself as he berates his mother Priestley’s use of repetition and hyperbole creates a parody of
the sweeping statements we might expect a teenager to use in an argumentt with their parents, reminding the
audience of his youth and naivety
“She wasn’t the usual sort” “She didn’t know what to do” (gender inequality) Priestley reveals Eric’s
previous experiences with prostitutes, as Eva “wasn’t the usual sort”. The adjective “usual” implies that
visiting prostitutes is the norm for Eric. Eric’s observation that “she didn’t know what to do” implies both
that he is attracted to Eva’s innocence, and also that he might realise that she is a woman he can exploit
because of her ignorance
o Conveys ambivalence (uncertainty) in mindset through erratic stage directions [shouting] [quietly]
o Arguably most active social conscience, demonstrating ability to change from beginning of the play
and acceptance at the end
o When he gives Eva stolen money could be commenting that wealth doesn’t replace integrity and that
there needs to be an even distribution of wealth so people like Eric can become socially aware
o Can be seen as weak and emotional leading us to question whether he’s too reliant on parents
o His baby symbolises bridge between upper and lower class
o Portrays societal norms as reasons for immoral behaviour
o Accepts responsibility, yet rejects sole responsibility for suicide
o Presented with capacity for empathy and emotion, separating him and Sheila from other characters,
suggesting moral superiority
o Explicitly acknowledges internal corruption and hypocrisy of upper class
o Eric recognises how his father is hypocritical in hiding his views from Inspector as he “[Laughs
bitterly] I didn’t notice you told him that it’s every man for himself”. Eric lets out a “bitter” laugh
because he realises Mr Birling’s hypocrisy, yet, there is no humour to be found in the moraless
capitalism, which his father abides by.
o Eric interrupts through the stage directions, he does it “[not too rudely]” as he doesn’t have the
power to challenge his father directly yet is not quite at ease with the capitalist purpose of his sister’s
marriage.
o Contradictory coping mechanisms as his response to materialism and hypocrisy of his family is
alcohol, showing immorality is not beyond anyone
o The audience’s sympathy for Eric is maintained by Priestley throughout the play in an attempt to
keep him redeemable. We are shown potential reasons for Eric’s behaviour which can allow the
audience to sympathise with him. Priestley attempts to encourage a positive perception of Eric
through a deflection of blame onto his parents and the society in which he lives.
o In direct opposition to Birling ideologically to juxtapose and mirror socialism vs capitalism conflict –
put him in position of favour and sympathy with audience
o Mrs Birling
In that state when a chap easily turns nasty (guilt) Priestley uses the euphemistic phrase as a substitute for
Eric’s admittance of being drunk. choice of colloquial language normalises Eric’s lack of restraint which
implies that it’s the alcohol which caused him to act in that way, not his lack of morals. This prompts the
question of whether he would have abused Eva if he was sober. demonstrates Eric’s subconscious attempts
to distance himself from his actions by switching from first person to third person as he refers to himself as “
a chap” rather than ‘I’. Eric’s trivialisation of such violence of a possible rape, through the colloquial use of
“a chap” is an attempt by Eric to soften the harshness of his actions.
“You don’t understand anything. You never did. You never even tried” (responsibility) Eric continues to
undermine himself as he berates his mother Priestley’s use of repetition and hyperbole creates a parody of
the sweeping statements we might expect a teenager to use in an argumentt with their parents, reminding the
audience of his youth and naivety
“She wasn’t the usual sort” “She didn’t know what to do” (gender inequality) Priestley reveals Eric’s
previous experiences with prostitutes, as Eva “wasn’t the usual sort”. The adjective “usual” implies that
visiting prostitutes is the norm for Eric. Eric’s observation that “she didn’t know what to do” implies both
that he is attracted to Eva’s innocence, and also that he might realise that she is a woman he can exploit
because of her ignorance
