Eric Birling’s character is extremely important in the outworking of the play. First, he is
introduced as an inebriated character
, who cannot control himself. He questions his father’s theories about future events which shows him to be a logical and reasonable character.
What is the importance of the character of Eric in the play?
Eric is a functional character (i.e. he fulfils certain functions in the play). He is an important character
because he enables other characters to discover things about themselves which in turn are exposed to the audience
.
Why is Eric important in an inspector calls?
By the end, Eric, like his sister, is used by Priestley as a symbol to represent the younger generation and socialism. Eric
gives the audience hope that their society can improve if people take responsibility for the impact of their actions
.
How does Priestley present the character of Eric in An Inspector Calls?
Eric is presented as an uncommendable, slightly drunk and uncomfortable character and this is shown when at the start of the play he suddenly laughs for no apparent reason – “I just had to
laugh
” – which shows that he was a bit “squiffy” as told by his mother, Mrs Birling.
How does Priestley present Eric as a character that can change?
Eric has changed
through the Inspector’s visit
and now understands the society around him; the audience can see him shifting through his cry to God – a symbol of his utter regret and remorse.
Eric shows that
he takes responsibility for his actions in the final act of the play
. “I don’t see much nonsense about it when a girl goes and kills herself. You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can’t. Nor can mother.
Who is the most important character in Inspector Calls?
| How is Mr Birling like this? | Capitalist Mr Birling is a business man whose main concern is making money. This is what is most important to him and he comes across as being greedy. | Possessive On a number of occasions Mr Birling refers to things and people as being ‘his’. |
|---|
Is Eric Birling a weak character?
○ Eric lets out a “bitter” laugh because he realises Mr Birling’s hypocrisy, yet, there is no humour to be found in the moraless capitalism, which his father abides by. Priestley portrays
Eric as too weak to be able
to stand up to the way his father treats the lower classes.
How is Eric presented as both a villain and a victim?
Eric is a villain and a victim. He feels isolated and unsupported and is trying to find comfort elsewhere. He
shouts at his mother
‘You don’t understand. You never did.
Does the audience Sympathise with Eric?
These solemn acts of sorrow and acceptence of guilt make the
audience have an increased level of sympathy towards Eric
. … He is, throughout the play, a deeply emotional character, and this helps guide the audience to not only ultimately sympathise with him, but have a very small feeling of respect towards him.
How is Eric Birling presented as irresponsible?
He is portrayed as
irresponsible and reckless
as he did not think of the consequences he would eventually face. However, we see a more considering side to Eric as he starts realising the mistakes he has made and feels guilt and remorse for what he has done.
How do the characters change in An Inspector Calls?
They
change as a result of the inspector linking them and their thoughts, actions and ultimately way of life to the apparent suicide of a local woman
, “Eva Smith”, who it appears, had links with all of the main characters in the play.
How does Eric act towards Eva when he goes with her to her lodgings?
how does eric act towards eva when he goes with her to her lodgings?
he threatened to make a row when she said she didn’t want him in her lodging
. what evidence does Gerald have for thinking that eva smith was more than one person? Why is Birling wrong when he says Gerald and Sheila will be marrying at a good time?
Priestley shows
his audience that all actions have consequences
, and it is impossible to live in isolation. This means by being mindful of your own actions, you help take responsibility for others. By looking after others, Priestley suggests society as a whole will benefit.
How does Priestley present male characters as irresponsible?
When discussing the idea of Mr Birling firing Eva, he denies all possibilities of it being his fault by using the
adverb ‘obviously
‘. … By doing this, Priestley presents Mr Birling as a hyperbolised character as he is so unaware of what he is saying.
How does Priestley use the character of the inspector to suggest ways that society could be improved?
Priestley uses
Inspector Goole as an imposing omnipotent being
who is used to highlight the issues of society. Priestley wants the middle and upper classes to stop being selfish and exploiting the poor for their own financial gain, but instead be more generous and empathetic towards other members of the working class.
Why is Eric interrogated by the inspector out of sequence?
He is questioned out of sequence in that
he met Eva
before Mrs Birling but Mrs Birling is interrogated first. Perhaps Priestley does this to make the revelation about him all the more shocking. ‘He could have kept her on instead of throwing her out.
How would you describe Eric Birling?
Eric is the Birlings’ son and is in his early twenties, he is described as being ‘
not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive’
. In other words, he lacks confidence. At points he tries to stand up to his father but is talked down.
Who is the weakest character in An Inspector Calls?
The weakest character in the play is not Eva Smith – it is
Arthur Birling
.
What is Eric and Eva’s baby symbolic of?
Eva and Eric’s baby could be symbolic of
a bridge between the upper and lower classes
. It has the power to bring them two classes together and yet Mrs Birling destroys the baby because she is only interested in self preservation.
Who does Eric support unlike his father?
Eric stole money from his father’s business to help
Eva
. In the final act Eric makes an emotional attack on his parents and their values and shows that he can be assertive.
What is Eric and Sheila’s relationship like at the beginning of the play?
At the start of the play Sheila and Eric have the usual sibling relationship as
they seem to be squabbling over the fact that Eric was drunk
. … Again they use a light TONE and friendly disagreement that is to be expected in a sibling relationship.
How does Priestley create sympathy?
Priestley
uses the characters and attitudes of the Birling family
, especially Mr. Birling, to make the audience feel sympathy for Eva Smith. … Birling so arrogant and pompous, JB Priestley renders his character deeply unattractive and encourages the reader to sympathize with his oppressed workforce. …read more.
For which character in An Inspector Calls Do you have the greatest sympathy?
The character I have most sympathy for is
“Gerald”
. Even though he does not accept the responsibility of “Eva’s” death as much as “Sheila” and “Eric”, I feel sorry for him because he was the only character that had a real, loving relationship with “Eva”.
How does Eric treat Eva Smith?
3/4: Eric’s Character Development/changes
He was part of the ‘chain of events’, having a fling with Eva Smith and getting her pregnant. He treated her ‘
as if she were an animal, a thing, not a person
. ‘ At the start of the play, he was just like the others – abusing his power over a working class girl.
What is the importance of the inspector’s final speech?
In conclusion, the Inspector, in his final speech,
tries to show how both the First World War
, and the Second, which had just ended when Priestley wrote the play, were the result of attitudes and behaviour such as those of powerful and wealthy families like the Birlings.
What do you think Priestley wants the audience to think of Eric?
How does Priestley present the character of Eric Birling? In many ways, Eric is a disappointment to his parents and the opposite of Gerald Croft. … However, Priestley clearly wants the audience to
understand that he is not a complete villain and that he is clearly a product of his upbringing and environment
.
How does Priestley present Sheila who learned important lessons about herself and society?
Priestly, Shelia Birling is presented
as being honest, perceptive and open to Socialist ideas
. Her presentation changes as the play progresses and she changes from naïve innocence to a more mature and pro-socialist woman with a deep understanding of her capitalistic society’s flaws.
How does Priestley present the idea of blame in an inspector calls?
Each of the characters has different opinions about which of them is most responsible for the girl’s suicide. … Birling, most extremely, ends up blaming her own son, by suggesting that the person most responsible is
the man that impregnated the girl
, before realizing that the person in question is Eric.
Why didn’t Eva want Eric to marry her?
After a couple more rendezvous, the girl told Eric that he was
to be
a father. He offered to marry her but she refused the proposal, because she,’Said I didn’t love her – and all that. … He wants to establish the fact that the girl had morals and didn’t want to deal in stolen money.
What type of character is the inspector?
The Inspector takes on the role of an
omniscient(all-knowing)
, moral force for good. Priestley presents his character as a spiritual avenging angel. Socialistvalues and ideology are channelled through the Inspector. Priestley utilises the Inspector as a vehicle to catalysechange in perceptions of responsibility.
