ERIC BIRLING

“In his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive.”

• Denotes his lack of confidence and social awkwardness

• Stark contract to other characters, especially Gerald

• Attempts to challenge some of his parents views early on

  • Struggles to any great extent and is largely dismissed

• Presented as a weak character

  • Tries to leave when he suspects the Inspector will question him

  • Initially avoids taking responsibility

• Largely insignificant in the first 2 Acts

  • Allows other characters to dominate proceedings

• Priestley forces Eric to confess his affair with Eva and admit she was pregnant with his child in Act 3

• Develops at the end of the play and becomes more assertive to his parents

• Very emotional language [“You killed them both…damn you, damn you.] and sharply contrasted with that of his parents

  • Heavily criticises his mothers treatment of Eva

• Arthur, Sybil and Gerald rejoice on discovering the Inspector was a fraud

  • In contrast, Eric and Sheila are at pains focusing on the lesson that they all must now learn, regardless of whether he was real

• Audience may view Eric as a sympathetic character

  • Treatment of Eva reveals how he exploited her

  • Reveals Eva didn’t want him to enter until he issued a threat

    • Exposes the vulnerability of women

  • Gerald hints he must’ve been in love with Eva, Eric admits he wasn’t so his behaviour was cruel

  • Eric hints at the potential for sexual violence

• Despite originally being presented as weak, Eric become must more assertive by the end

  • Ashamed and regretful over his conduct with Eva

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