Eric Birling
● Works in his fathers firm
- Drinks to much at the celebratory dinner
- Admits that he made Eva Smith pregnant after meeting her
at the palace bar.
- Admits he gave Eva money he had stolen from his father
- Accuses his mother of murdering his unborn child and her
grandchild
- Acknowledges his responsibility towards Eva and accepts
the inspectors words.
● ‘Just keep quiet Eric, and don’t get excited’ - reveals that Mr Birling
knows Eric has drunk too much and might say something he
shouldn't. Eric is treated as an irresponsible child by his father.
● ‘That’s something this public -school and varsity life you’ve had
doesn’t seem to teach you’ - has been educated at an expensive
school and university. Suggests Mr Birling hasn’t. Mr Birling feels
he knows more about life than his son.
● ‘You’re not the type - you don’t get drunk’ - we know that Eric does
get drunk and that the opposite of what his mother says is true.
Shows she is deluded and doesn’t pay attention. Eric doesn’t
discuss his problems or private life with his mother.
● ‘Your trouble is' - you’ve been spoiled’ - Mr Birling thinks that by
being the boss’s son Eric has had too easy a life. Shows Eric’s
immaturity.
● Eric’s change is not as profound as Sheila's but he is greatly
affected by the Inspector’s words. Priestley presents him as a
character ill at ease with others, who drink too much. He is
troubled with Eva’s suicide and the death of his unborn child, the
way he is affected by the inspector’s words and his recognition of
guilt.
, Act 1 -
[Not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive].
Represents cracks in family -
● Eric is immediately described as someone who is uncomfortable as part of the
Birling family.
● This separates him from them straight away.
● He seems to be shy and unsure around his own family, which suggests there
are cracks in their family relationships straight away.
Treated like a child -
● His parents think of him as a child, and do not take him seriously – he
feels like he cannot be himself around them.
● This adds to the idea that upper-class families present fake images to
protect their reputations.
‘Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?’
Socially aware and socialist
● Eric is the first one to suggest that lower-class people should be treated
better (despite him treating Eva so poorly).
● It is obvious why Eric and his parents do not share a close relationship -
their personalities are so different, and Eric obviously leans more
towards socialism than capitalism.
● This could be why he is so uncomfortable being in their company. He
seems to be tired of their judgements around lower-class people and
seems to be the most socially aware member of the family at the start of
the play.
Goes against social norms
● He openly contradicts his father in front of people – a serious social faux
pas (mistake or not polite) at this time.
Act 3 -
● Works in his fathers firm
- Drinks to much at the celebratory dinner
- Admits that he made Eva Smith pregnant after meeting her
at the palace bar.
- Admits he gave Eva money he had stolen from his father
- Accuses his mother of murdering his unborn child and her
grandchild
- Acknowledges his responsibility towards Eva and accepts
the inspectors words.
● ‘Just keep quiet Eric, and don’t get excited’ - reveals that Mr Birling
knows Eric has drunk too much and might say something he
shouldn't. Eric is treated as an irresponsible child by his father.
● ‘That’s something this public -school and varsity life you’ve had
doesn’t seem to teach you’ - has been educated at an expensive
school and university. Suggests Mr Birling hasn’t. Mr Birling feels
he knows more about life than his son.
● ‘You’re not the type - you don’t get drunk’ - we know that Eric does
get drunk and that the opposite of what his mother says is true.
Shows she is deluded and doesn’t pay attention. Eric doesn’t
discuss his problems or private life with his mother.
● ‘Your trouble is' - you’ve been spoiled’ - Mr Birling thinks that by
being the boss’s son Eric has had too easy a life. Shows Eric’s
immaturity.
● Eric’s change is not as profound as Sheila's but he is greatly
affected by the Inspector’s words. Priestley presents him as a
character ill at ease with others, who drink too much. He is
troubled with Eva’s suicide and the death of his unborn child, the
way he is affected by the inspector’s words and his recognition of
guilt.
, Act 1 -
[Not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive].
Represents cracks in family -
● Eric is immediately described as someone who is uncomfortable as part of the
Birling family.
● This separates him from them straight away.
● He seems to be shy and unsure around his own family, which suggests there
are cracks in their family relationships straight away.
Treated like a child -
● His parents think of him as a child, and do not take him seriously – he
feels like he cannot be himself around them.
● This adds to the idea that upper-class families present fake images to
protect their reputations.
‘Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?’
Socially aware and socialist
● Eric is the first one to suggest that lower-class people should be treated
better (despite him treating Eva so poorly).
● It is obvious why Eric and his parents do not share a close relationship -
their personalities are so different, and Eric obviously leans more
towards socialism than capitalism.
● This could be why he is so uncomfortable being in their company. He
seems to be tired of their judgements around lower-class people and
seems to be the most socially aware member of the family at the start of
the play.
Goes against social norms
● He openly contradicts his father in front of people – a serious social faux
pas (mistake or not polite) at this time.
Act 3 -
