Character Eric B

• Eric Birling


  In his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive
• Eric's description at the beginning of the play


  Denotes his lack of confidence and social awkwardness
• Eric's description


  In stark contrast to the other characters on stage, especially Gerald
• Eric attempts to challenge some of his parents' views


  In the early stages of the play
• Eric struggles to confront them to any great extent and they are largely dismissive of any opinions he puts forward
• Eric's retorts to his parents

  May simply be due to his hostility towards them, rather than displaying sympathy towards the strikers in his father's factory
• Eric


  Presented as a weak character
• Eric tries to leave when he suspects the Inspector may want to question him


  Initially avoids taking responsibility for his actions
• Eric plays a largely insignificant role in the first two acts of the play
• This enables the other characters in the play to dominate proceedings
• It is not until Act III when Priestley forces Eric to confess

  His affair with Eva and to admit she was pregnant with his child
• Eric develops at the end of the play


  Becomes more assertive towards his parents
• Eric: 'You killed them both - damn you, damn you'
• Eric's language during his confession

  Emotional, sharply contrasted with that of his parents'
• Eric heavily criticises his mother's treatment of Eva Smith
• Arthur, Sybil and Gerald rejoice on having discovered the Inspector was a fraud

  In contrast, both Eric and his sister are at pains to focus on the lessons that they all must now learn, regardless of whether the Inspector was real
• While an audience may view Eric as a sympathetic character


  His treatment of Eva reveals how he has also exploited her
• Eric reveals Eva did not want him to enter her room until he issued a threat, thus exposing the vulnerability of women
• While Gerald hints that he may have been in love with Eva


  Eric admits he was not and so his behaviour could be viewed as more cruel
• In his confession, Eric hints at the potential for sexual violence
• Despite being first presented as weak


  Eric becomes a much more assertive character by the end of the play
• Eric is ashamed and regretful over his conduct with Eva
• Eric


  Presents a symbol of hope for the attitudes of the younger generation