How important is the character of Eric in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas?
Write about:
How Eric responds to his family and the Inspector
How Priestley presents Eric’s actions
Introduction
Outline: Eric is the only son of Mr & Mrs Birling, and it is later revealed that he is the father
of Eva Smith’s unborn child.
Main points:
The character of Eric is important in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas because he
provides us insight into the privileged and sheltered life that upper class sons
became accustomed to in 1912.
The character of Eric is important in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas because Eric is a
poignant example of an upper class child that is yet to live up to the mounting
expectations of his Edwardian father.
The character of Eric is important in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas because his
character development exhibits to the audience that even the most sheltered upper
class children can adopt a sense of social responsibility.
Judgement: Overall, the character of Eric is of significant/large importance in demonstrating
Priestley’s ideas.
Paragraph 1
Point: The character of Eric is important in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas because he
provides us insight into the privileged and sheltered life that upper class son’s became
accustomed to in 1912.
Evidence: 1. ‘I got it – from the office—’ (Eric Birling) 2. ‘No, not really. I intended to pay it
back.’ (Eric Birling) 3. ‘The girl discovered that this money you were giving her was stolen,
didn’t she?’ (The Inspector)
Technique: Use of multiple parentheses (Quote 1), Lackadaisical language & short
declarative sentence (Quote 2)
Explanation: These quotes refer to Eric stealing money from his father’s business to give to
Eva Smith in an attempt to look after her. Not only does this show Eric’s immaturity in not
being able to perform honest work to look after her himself, but it shows his entitlement in
stealing from his father. The use of parentheses reflects the shame he feels as an Edwardian
upper class man who is not able to provide with his own money. The fact that Eva refuses
this money once she knows it stolen highlights the difference between them both- Eva has
integrity and is not interested in taking short cuts to provide for herself.
,Context: Edwardian upper class men were at the top of the hierarchy- they were wealthy
men who controlled the working classes and who benefitted from eventually marrying
women who would give up all their property and legal rights to them.
Link: This demonstrates Priestley’s idea that upper class men are often too entitled.
Paragraph 2
Point: The character of Eric is important in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas because Eric is a
poignant example of an upper class child that is yet to live up to the mounting expectations
of his Edwardian father.
Evidence: 1."I don't know - really. Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh.’ (Eric Birling) 2.‘More
money to spend and time to spare than I had when I was Eric’s age’ (Mr Birling) 3.‘A man has
to make his own way’ (Mr Birling)
Technique: Parentheses (Quote 1), Condescending language (Quote 2)
Explanation: Quote 1 is found at the start of the play, where Eric is presented as a shy young
man who is ultimately unsure of himself, a stark contrast to his father who is largely too sure
of himself. Mr Birling’s constant reference to how he had to work harder than Eric and how
Eric must forge his own path only adds to Eric’s insecurities. Though an upper class man, Eric
is not without his own struggles- he consistently falls short of his father’s expectations.
Context: Eric felt pressure from his father because Mr Birling was part of a new upper class
that emerged as a result of the industrial revolution. Edwardians rose to acquire wealth
through owning factories and starting businesses, so Mr Birling had this same expectation
for Eric.
Link: This demonstrates Priestley’s idea that upper class children struggle to meet the
expectations of their conservative and often successful parents.
Paragraph 3
Point: The character of Eric is important in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas because his
character development exhibits to the audience that even the most sheltered upper class
children can adopt a sense of social responsibility.
Evidence: 1."(bursting out) What's the use of talking about behaving sensibly. You're
beginning to pretend now that nothing's really happened at all. And I can't see it like that.
This girl's still dead, isn't she? Nobody's brought her to life, have they?" (Eric Birling) 2."No, I
mean about this girl - Eva Smith. Why shouldn't they try for higher wages? We try for the
highest possible prices. And I don't see why she should have been sacked just because she'd
a bit more spirit than the others." (Eric Birling)
, Technique: Exclamative sentence, Multiple question marks, Rhetorical questions (Quote 1),
Short declarative sentences & Rhetorical question (Quote 2)
Explanation: Quote 2 shows how capitalism and individualism isn’t engrained into Eric just
because he is an upper class man- he can sympathise with the working class and identify
with their struggles. Quote 3 is when the audience witnesses Eric reach his climax with the
Birling’s inherent selfishness. He recognises the entire family’s contribution to Eva’s death
and refuses to act as if he has done nothing wrong.
Context: Priestley himself was a co-founder of the Common Wealth Party (socialists),
speaking out against social inequality and poverty in the UK. Eric and Sheila become a
mouthpiece for the socialist views that Priestley truly identifies with.
Link: This demonstrates Priestley’s idea that selfish upper class individuals can evolve.
Conclusion: *Reiterate three main points*
Write about:
How Eric responds to his family and the Inspector
How Priestley presents Eric’s actions
Introduction
Outline: Eric is the only son of Mr & Mrs Birling, and it is later revealed that he is the father
of Eva Smith’s unborn child.
Main points:
The character of Eric is important in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas because he
provides us insight into the privileged and sheltered life that upper class sons
became accustomed to in 1912.
The character of Eric is important in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas because Eric is a
poignant example of an upper class child that is yet to live up to the mounting
expectations of his Edwardian father.
The character of Eric is important in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas because his
character development exhibits to the audience that even the most sheltered upper
class children can adopt a sense of social responsibility.
Judgement: Overall, the character of Eric is of significant/large importance in demonstrating
Priestley’s ideas.
Paragraph 1
Point: The character of Eric is important in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas because he
provides us insight into the privileged and sheltered life that upper class son’s became
accustomed to in 1912.
Evidence: 1. ‘I got it – from the office—’ (Eric Birling) 2. ‘No, not really. I intended to pay it
back.’ (Eric Birling) 3. ‘The girl discovered that this money you were giving her was stolen,
didn’t she?’ (The Inspector)
Technique: Use of multiple parentheses (Quote 1), Lackadaisical language & short
declarative sentence (Quote 2)
Explanation: These quotes refer to Eric stealing money from his father’s business to give to
Eva Smith in an attempt to look after her. Not only does this show Eric’s immaturity in not
being able to perform honest work to look after her himself, but it shows his entitlement in
stealing from his father. The use of parentheses reflects the shame he feels as an Edwardian
upper class man who is not able to provide with his own money. The fact that Eva refuses
this money once she knows it stolen highlights the difference between them both- Eva has
integrity and is not interested in taking short cuts to provide for herself.
,Context: Edwardian upper class men were at the top of the hierarchy- they were wealthy
men who controlled the working classes and who benefitted from eventually marrying
women who would give up all their property and legal rights to them.
Link: This demonstrates Priestley’s idea that upper class men are often too entitled.
Paragraph 2
Point: The character of Eric is important in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas because Eric is a
poignant example of an upper class child that is yet to live up to the mounting expectations
of his Edwardian father.
Evidence: 1."I don't know - really. Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh.’ (Eric Birling) 2.‘More
money to spend and time to spare than I had when I was Eric’s age’ (Mr Birling) 3.‘A man has
to make his own way’ (Mr Birling)
Technique: Parentheses (Quote 1), Condescending language (Quote 2)
Explanation: Quote 1 is found at the start of the play, where Eric is presented as a shy young
man who is ultimately unsure of himself, a stark contrast to his father who is largely too sure
of himself. Mr Birling’s constant reference to how he had to work harder than Eric and how
Eric must forge his own path only adds to Eric’s insecurities. Though an upper class man, Eric
is not without his own struggles- he consistently falls short of his father’s expectations.
Context: Eric felt pressure from his father because Mr Birling was part of a new upper class
that emerged as a result of the industrial revolution. Edwardians rose to acquire wealth
through owning factories and starting businesses, so Mr Birling had this same expectation
for Eric.
Link: This demonstrates Priestley’s idea that upper class children struggle to meet the
expectations of their conservative and often successful parents.
Paragraph 3
Point: The character of Eric is important in demonstrating Priestley’s ideas because his
character development exhibits to the audience that even the most sheltered upper class
children can adopt a sense of social responsibility.
Evidence: 1."(bursting out) What's the use of talking about behaving sensibly. You're
beginning to pretend now that nothing's really happened at all. And I can't see it like that.
This girl's still dead, isn't she? Nobody's brought her to life, have they?" (Eric Birling) 2."No, I
mean about this girl - Eva Smith. Why shouldn't they try for higher wages? We try for the
highest possible prices. And I don't see why she should have been sacked just because she'd
a bit more spirit than the others." (Eric Birling)
, Technique: Exclamative sentence, Multiple question marks, Rhetorical questions (Quote 1),
Short declarative sentences & Rhetorical question (Quote 2)
Explanation: Quote 2 shows how capitalism and individualism isn’t engrained into Eric just
because he is an upper class man- he can sympathise with the working class and identify
with their struggles. Quote 3 is when the audience witnesses Eric reach his climax with the
Birling’s inherent selfishness. He recognises the entire family’s contribution to Eva’s death
and refuses to act as if he has done nothing wrong.
Context: Priestley himself was a co-founder of the Common Wealth Party (socialists),
speaking out against social inequality and poverty in the UK. Eric and Sheila become a
mouthpiece for the socialist views that Priestley truly identifies with.
Link: This demonstrates Priestley’s idea that selfish upper class individuals can evolve.
Conclusion: *Reiterate three main points*
