How does Eric Birling Change in An Inspector Calls?
1. Erics initial views towards women, gender inequality and social hierarchy. P uses Eric to expose the
truth about social elite and how the upper classes abuse their power
- his treatment of Eva
- How he does not show immediate remorse, subconsciously tries to distance himself from his
actions/guilt
- How he blames the collective, also refer to ‘respectable’ men and Gerald
2. How from the very beginning he’s a moral form of capitalism, does not adhere to the generic
beliefs of his family, P represents him in a sympathetic light because of this
- Negatively influenced by his fathers philosophy of greed but challenges it early on ‘why shouldn’t
they try for higher wages’. Mr B would have religiously indoctrinated Eric with capitalist beliefs from
a young age but he is disillusioned.
- More empathetic towards the lower class financially, and does not agree with profiting of
sufferance
3. How P presents him as a progressive and redeemable character, he changes and internalises the
inspectors views. Openly takes responsibility and challenges his family, does not re-conform to
wealth and greed once the truth is exposed.
- ‘involuntary’ reaction ‘Oh God!’ feminine, emotional reaction in a patriarchal society, genuine.
- ‘We all killed her’ ‘I just can’t see it like that’
- symbolic of hope and potential for the younger generation. People CAN change.
1. Erics initial views towards women, gender inequality and social hierarchy. P uses Eric to expose the
truth about social elite and how the upper classes abuse their power
- his treatment of Eva
- How he does not show immediate remorse, subconsciously tries to distance himself from his
actions/guilt
- How he blames the collective, also refer to ‘respectable’ men and Gerald
2. How from the very beginning he’s a moral form of capitalism, does not adhere to the generic
beliefs of his family, P represents him in a sympathetic light because of this
- Negatively influenced by his fathers philosophy of greed but challenges it early on ‘why shouldn’t
they try for higher wages’. Mr B would have religiously indoctrinated Eric with capitalist beliefs from
a young age but he is disillusioned.
- More empathetic towards the lower class financially, and does not agree with profiting of
sufferance
3. How P presents him as a progressive and redeemable character, he changes and internalises the
inspectors views. Openly takes responsibility and challenges his family, does not re-conform to
wealth and greed once the truth is exposed.
- ‘involuntary’ reaction ‘Oh God!’ feminine, emotional reaction in a patriarchal society, genuine.
- ‘We all killed her’ ‘I just can’t see it like that’
- symbolic of hope and potential for the younger generation. People CAN change.
