Eric Birling
Character Analysis
Eric Birling
I think that J B Priestly put Eric Birling in the play ‘An Inspector Calls’ because he is an interesting character, and is not quite like the rest of his family. Eric is a young man living at home with his parents (Arthur and Sybil Birling) and his sister (Sheila Birling). He is the son of a prosperous manufacturer living in a large suburban house. Eric comes from an upper class family. His mother is a prominent member of the Brumley Woman’s Charity Organization and his father has his own business. The Birling family have a maid, Edna and are also able to enjoy a life of great comfort and leisure. An example of this is when Mr Birling says ‘You ought to like this port, Gerald. As a matter of fact, Finchley told me it’s exactly the same port your father gets from him.’ This shows that the family were upper class because they are talking about port, which not all of the lower class people would know much about.
One of the main features that make Eric is an interesting character is that he is quite secretive about his life, so that when the inspector questions Eric the Birling’s are in for a huge surprise. They learn that he is an alcoholic, has stolen money from his father and has gotten a lower class girl pregnant. During this time period the rich didn’t really associate with the poor; so his family, especially his mother, are shocked when he reveals the news. Eric’s personality doesn’t really change throughout the play, though his feelings and emotions do. At the beginning of the play, Eric is in the dining room with his family. They are celebrating the engagement of his sister and her fiancé (Gerald Croft). Eric seems quite happy, as he is slightly drunk. Inspector Goole arrives at the Birling’s house. He questions each character until they confess that they each had a part in causing Eva Smith’s death; starting with Mr Birling and finishing with Eric.
Eric’s emotions change from happiness to guilt when he realizes that he
Eric Birling
I think that J B Priestly put Eric Birling in the play ‘An Inspector Calls’ because he is an interesting character, and is not quite like the rest of his family. Eric is a young man living at home with his parents (Arthur and Sybil Birling) and his sister (Sheila Birling). He is the son of a prosperous manufacturer living in a large suburban house. Eric comes from an upper class family. His mother is a prominent member of the Brumley Woman’s Charity Organization and his father has his own business. The Birling family have a maid, Edna and are also able to enjoy a life of great comfort and leisure. An example of this is when Mr Birling says ‘You ought to like this port, Gerald. As a matter of fact, Finchley told me it’s exactly the same port your father gets from him.’ This shows that the family were upper class because they are talking about port, which not all of the lower class people would know much about.
One of the main features that make Eric is an interesting character is that he is quite secretive about his life, so that when the inspector questions Eric the Birling’s are in for a huge surprise. They learn that he is an alcoholic, has stolen money from his father and has gotten a lower class girl pregnant. During this time period the rich didn’t really associate with the poor; so his family, especially his mother, are shocked when he reveals the news. Eric’s personality doesn’t really change throughout the play, though his feelings and emotions do. At the beginning of the play, Eric is in the dining room with his family. They are celebrating the engagement of his sister and her fiancé (Gerald Croft). Eric seems quite happy, as he is slightly drunk. Inspector Goole arrives at the Birling’s house. He questions each character until they confess that they each had a part in causing Eva Smith’s death; starting with Mr Birling and finishing with Eric.
Eric’s emotions change from happiness to guilt when he realizes that he