Eric Birling

• Who is Eric Birling in the play An Inspector Calls?

  Eric Birling is the son of Mr and Mrs Birling and the brother of Sheila.
• What is Eric Birling's employment status in the play?

  Eric is employed by his father at Birling and Co.
• How is Eric Birling portrayed in terms of his drinking habits?

  Eric is portrayed as having a drinking habit, possibly to drown his sorrows.
• What do the stage directions reveal about Eric's character?

  The stage directions indicate that Eric is in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, and half assertive.
• What does Priestley use Eric to symbolize in the play?

  Priestley uses Eric as a symbol of redemption, suggesting he has the capacity to change and improve.
• How does Eric's opposition to Mr Birling's views affect audience perception?

  Eric's opposition to Mr Birling's capitalist and individualistic attitudes presents him in a sympathetic light.
• What contributes to the audience's sympathy for Eric Birling?

  The evident lack of a good role model as a father contributes to the audience's sympathy for Eric.
• How does Priestley portray the societal norms affecting Eric's behavior?

  Priestley portrays societal norms as the reason for Eric's immoral behavior, suggesting he follows in the footsteps of other men.
• What is Eric's awareness of the suffering of the lower class?

  Eric is presented as naive and ignorant of the true extent of the suffering of the lower class.
• How does Eric express remorse for his actions?

  Eric shows remorse and regret while accepting responsibility for his actions but rejects sole responsibility for Eva's suicide.
• What message does Priestley convey through Eric's character?


  Priestley conveys that anyone can change for the better through Eric's character.
• How does Eric's emotional response to Eva's death reflect his morals?

  Eric's emotional response to Eva's death indicates that he has morals, as shown by his involuntary reaction.
• What does the adverb "involuntarily" signify about Eric's character?

  The adverb "involuntarily" signifies Eric's moral nature, as he cannot suppress his emotional reaction.
• How does the patriarchal society affect Eric's emotional expression?

  Eric would not choose to reveal his emotions in a patriarchal society that condemns excessive emotion as hysteria.
• How does Eric's reaction to Eva's death contrast with Mr Birling's reaction?

  Eric's reaction is emotional, while Mr Birling's reaction is impatient and dismissive.
• What does Eric's condemnation of his father's capitalist views reveal about him?

  Eric's condemnation of his father's capitalist views reveals his inherent socialist beliefs.
• How does Eric empathize with the lower classes?

  Eric empathizes with the lower classes by recognizing the need for better workplace rights and higher wages.
• What distinguishes Eric from other characters in the play?

  Eric possesses the capacity for empathy and emotion, distinguishing him from other characters who lack such feelings.
• How does Eric's awareness of hypocrisy contribute to his character development?

  Eric acknowledges the hypocrisy of the upper class, which shows he is not completely naive and aware of societal corruption.
• What does Eric's discontent with Mr Birling's hypocrisy reveal about his character?

  Eric's discontent with Mr Birling's hypocrisy reveals his moral awareness and desire for social justice.
• How does Eric's realization about meritocracy affect his views on capitalism?

  Eric realizes that capitalism exists to exploit workers and create profit, rather than reward merit.
• What does Eric's bitter laugh signify about his feelings towards his father's views?

  Eric's bitter laugh signifies his recognition of Mr Birling's hypocrisy and the moral issues within capitalism.
• How does Eric's discomfort with his family's privilege manifest in the play?

  Eric's discomfort is shown through stage directions indicating he is "not quite at ease" with his father's behavior.
• What does Eric's eagerness to end the engagement speech reveal about his character?

  Eric's eagerness to end the engagement speech reveals his disapproval of the transactional nature of the marriage.

  
• How does Eric's interruption of his father's speech reflect his power dynamics within the family?

  Eric interrupts his father "not too rudely," indicating he lacks the power to challenge him directly.

  
• What does Eric's character suggest about the potential for immorality in anyone?

  Eric's character suggests that anyone is capable of immorality, as demonstrated by his actions despite initially appearing moral.

  
• How does Eric's acknowledgment of immoral actions by others affect his character?

  Eric acknowledges the immoral actions of Mr Birling's respectable friends but is too weak to stand up for his beliefs.
• What role does alcohol play in Eric's character development?

  Alcohol serves as Eric's coping mechanism for the hypocrisy and materialism of his family.
• What lesson does Priestley convey about standing up for reform through Eric's character?

  Priestley teaches that people need to stand up for reform regardless of their societal position, as failing to do so leads to moral decline.

  
• How does Priestley portray Eric's upbringing and its impact on his behavior?

  Priestley portrays Eric's upbringing as lacking care and compassion, which stunted his moral development.
• What influence does Mr Birling's lectures have on Eric's character?

  Mr Birling's lectures shape Eric's values, teaching him to disrespect women and disregard the lower classes.
• How does Priestley explain Eric's immoral actions in the context of societal norms?

  Priestley explains Eric's immoral actions as a result of societal norms that normalize such behavior among upper-class men.
• What does Eric's unreliable narration suggest about his character?

  Eric's unreliable narration suggests he may be biased and trying to make himself appear less culpable.
• How does Priestley manipulate the audience's perception of Eric through his narration?

  Priestley manipulates the audience's perception by allowing them to fill in the gaps in Eric's story, making him appear redeemable.

  
• What does the euphemistic phrase "that state when a chap easily turns nasty" imply about Eric's actions?

  The euphemistic phrase implies that Eric's actions were influenced by alcohol, normalizing his lack of restraint.

  
• Why is Eric's narration considered likely to be unreliable?

  Because he presents a biased telling of the story to make himself look less bad.
• How does Priestley manipulate the audience's perception of Eric's actions towards Eva?

  By using the pronoun "it," allowing the audience to fill in the gaps about Eric's actions.
• What does the euphemistic phrase “that state when a chap easily turns nasty” imply about Eric's behavior?

  It suggests that Eric is using alcohol as an excuse for his actions rather than taking responsibility for his morals.

  
• What question does Priestley prompt the audience to consider regarding Eric's actions?

  Whether Eric's actions reflect his true character or if society has conditioned him to behave that way.
• How is Eric portrayed in terms of his feelings about his actions towards Eva?

  He is portrayed as repentant and remorseful.