Eric Birling

• How is Eric Birling portrayed in terms of his employment?

  He is employed by his father at Birling and Co.
• What habit does Eric Birling have that is highlighted by Priestley?

  He has a drinking habit
• How does Priestley describe Eric's demeanor through stage directions?

  He is in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive
• What does Eric's character symbolize according to Priestley?

  Redemption
• What does Priestley suggest about Eric's capacity for change?

  He has the capacity to change and improve
• How does Priestley present Eric in relation to his father's attitudes?

  • Eric opposes Mr Birling's capitalist and individualistic attitudes
  • This opposition presents him in a sympathetic light
• What increases the audience's sympathy for Eric Birling?

  The evident lack of a good role model as a father
• What does Priestley suggest about the societal norms affecting Eric's behavior?

  They are the reason for his immoral behavior, such as the rape of Eva
• How is Eric portrayed in terms of his awareness of the suffering of the lower class?

  He is presented as naive and ignorant of their true suffering
• What emotions does Eric express regarding his actions towards Eva?

  Remorse and regret
• Does Eric accept full responsibility for Eva's suicide?

  No, he rejects taking sole responsibility
• What does Eric represent in terms of personal change?

  • A source of optimism
  • Anyone can change for the better
• How does Priestley portray Eric's moral understanding throughout the play?

  He is able to make the distinction between right and wrong
• What does Eric's emotional response to Eva's death indicate about his character?

  It shows that he has morals
• What does the adverb "involuntarily" suggest about Eric's reaction to Eva's death?

  It demonstrates the moral nature of Eric as he could not suppress his emotional reaction
• Why might Eric choose not to reveal his emotions in a patriarchal society?

  Because such a society condemns feminine traits like excessive emotion
• What message does Priestley convey about emotion through Eric's character?

  Emotion is human and necessary for society to improve
• How does Eric's reaction to Eva's death contrast with Mr Birling's response?

  Eric shows emotional distress while Mr Birling is impatient and dismissive
• What distinction does Priestley make between the older and younger generations in the play?

  • The older generation holds capitalist views
  • The younger generation, represented by Eric, shows empathy and a desire for change
• What type of views does Priestley portray Eric as having?

  Inherently socialist views
• How does Eric challenge his father's capitalist views?

  By questioning why workers shouldn't try for higher wages
• What ability does Eric demonstrate regarding the lower classes?

  He is able to empathize with them and recognize their need for better rights
• How does Priestley differentiate Eric from other characters in the play?

  He presents Eric with the capacity for empathy and emotion
• What does Priestley want the audience to do in relation to Eric's character?

  To align themselves with Eric as a morally superior character
• What does Eric acknowledge about the upper class throughout the play?

  He acknowledges their internal corruption and hypocrisy
• How does Eric perceive Mr Birling's hypocrisy?

  He sees it in Mr Birling's determination to achieve lower costs while denying higher wages
• What does Eric express regarding the hypocrisy of wages in relation to prices?

  He questions why workers shouldn't try for higher wages while they aim for the highest prices
• What realization does Eric come to about meritocracy and capitalism?

  He realizes that capitalism exists to exploit workers and create profit
• How does Eric view his father's behavior towards the Inspector?

  He recognizes his father's hypocrisy in hiding his views
• What does Eric's "bitter" laugh signify in relation to Mr Birling's hypocrisy?

  It signifies his realization of Mr Birling's hypocrisy and the moraless capitalism he abides by
• How does Priestley portray Eric's relationship with the class system?

  • Eric is portrayed as too weak to stand up to his father's treatment of lower classes
  • He understands it is immoral but conforms to the system
• How does Priestley demonstrate Eric's discomfort with his family's lifestyle?

  Through the stage directions indicating he is "not quite at ease"
• What does Eric realize about the engagement toast he interrupts?

  He realizes the ridiculousness of a marriage that is merely a transaction
• How does Eric's interruption of his father's speech reflect his character?

  It shows he is not quite at ease with the capitalist purpose of his sister's marriage
• How is Eric initially portrayed in terms of morality?

  • He is portrayed as a positive character with morals
  • He disapproves of Mr Birling's individualistic business rhetoric
• What does the revelation of Eric's rape of Eva signify about sin?

  It demonstrates that sin is not beyond anyone
• How does Eric view the actions of Mr Birling's respectable friends?

  He acknowledges they are acting immorally
• What coping mechanism does Eric use in response to his family's hypocrisy?

  Alcohol
• What connotations are associated with Eric's alcoholism?

  Lower-class connotations
• What does Priestley suggest about Eric's perceived lack of influence?

  It prevents him from making change