Eric Birling

• Eric Birling, a son of Arthur and Sybil Birling and brother of Sheila Birling, works at Birling and Co. He has a drinking problem and has been drinking for almost two years. Described as naive and half shy, Eric realizes his responsibilities and has played a part in Eva Smith's death. He is questioned by Inspector Goole, who is also a character in the play.

  
• Priestley's Message for Eric

  • Conveys how the upper class abused their power over the working class (treated Eva Smith ‘as if she were an animal, a thing, not a person.’)
  • He represents (with Sheila) the younger generation – Priestley saw them as ‘more impressionable’ – after all, they were the future.
• Eric's Character Development

  • He was part of the ‘chain of events’, having a fling with Eva Smith and getting her pregnant. He treated her ‘as if she were an animal, a thing, not a person.’ At the start of the play, he was just like the others – abusing his power over a working class girl.
  • However, he accepts responsibility, and like Sheila, feels very guilty about what he did. He is ashamed of his behaviour and shows that he is capable of changing for the better. ‘The fact remains that I did what I did.’ Therefore, the audience is more likely to forgive him.
• Eric

  • Not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive
  • Uncomfortable in some way
• Eric is first introduced

  He 'suddenly guffaws' for no reason
• Eric drinks 'pretty hard'
• Gerald jokes to Mr Birling about the arrival of the Inspector

  It could be something to do with Eric
• Eric answers, '(still uneasy) Well I don't think it's very funny.'
• Eric's part in Eva Smith's death

  1. Met her at the Palace Bar

  2. Forced his way into her home

  3. Got her pregnant

  4. Stole money from his father's business to support her
• 'I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty.'
• If Eric's actions became public, the family's reputation would have been ruined
• Eric had a privileged education, unlike his father