Eric Birling

Irresponsible and avoidant, immature, lacking self-control, dismissive

excusing himself from the scene

A1 When the Inspector says he'll be speaking to everyone, the tension in the room builds. Eric, already appearing nervous and uncomfortable since the Inspector's arrival, suddenly blurts out: [suddenly bursting out]:i’m sorry - but you see - we were having a little party […] - and as I’m only in the way here - i think I’d better turn in

Irresponsible and avoidant, immature, lacking self-control, dismissive

infantilised

This moment in Act One of An Inspector Calls, where Eric "suddenly laughs" and says he "doesn’t know why", and his mother claims he is in "an excitable, silly mood", a1

FRUSTRATED AND CLEARLY RAISED POORLY BY OLDER GENERATION, EMOTIONALLY DISTRESSED

messed up view of how a man acts

i was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty a2

• Gerald had met Daisy Renton at the Palace Variety Bar, where he noticed she was being harassed by a man.

• He "rescued" her from that situation and then took her to a friend’s flat where she could stay.

• While recounting this, he says he was "in that state when a chap easily turns nasty", suggesting he was drunk and implying that he might have taken advantage of her if he hadn't intervened differently.

FRUSTRATED AND CLEARLY RAISED POORLY BY OLDER GENERATION, EMOTIONALLY DISTRESSED

rough relationship with father

During a heated confrontation with his father, Mr. Birling, in Act 3. The context is that Eric has just confessed to stealing money and getting Eva Smith pregnant. you’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble a3

OWNING OF CULPABILITY + STANDING UP FOR WHATS RIGHT:

shaming parents

(when mrs birling says she is ashamed of eric, eric says) Well, I don’t blame you. But don’t forget I’m ashamed of you as well - yes, both of you. a3

OWNING OF CULPABILITY + STANDING UP FOR WHATS RIGHT:

hive mind collective responsibility

And I say the girl’s dead and we all helped to kill her - and that’s what matters- a3 The context is that the characters have just discovered that they each played a part in the downfall of a young woman named Eva Smith