Eric Birling

Eric Birling

Overview

·        Same spirit as Sheila

·        Adolescent manner (Half shy half assertive) and drinks too much perhaps because he has not been enlightened to a meaningful role in his life.

·        Conveys how the upper class abuse their power over the working class (Treated Eva Smith as if she were a thing, an animal not a person)

·        He represents (with Sheila) the younger Generation – Priestley saw them as “more impressionable”

·        Priestley uses Eric as a dramatic device, to not only expose the flaws and tensions of the characters’ relationships but to highlight the flaws of the early 20^th Century society such as attitudes towards women and how it varies depending on the social class you belong to.

·        Eric’s change is not as profound as Sheila’s, but he is greatly affected by the inspector’s word/ Is wracked with guilt after learning about Eva’s Smith’s suicide.

Stage Directions

“Not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive”

-         Low self-esteem and little confidence which may have led him to drink heavily.

-        Clearly uncomfortable in some way/ Parents don’t take him seriously

“Suddenly Gaffaws”

-        Unable to explain laughter, underlying sense of unease. He is awkward and unsure of himself.

-        Immature / Seems out of sink with rest of the family.

Act 1

“I don’t know – really. Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh”

-        Suggests immaturity still in Eric and the time before the Inspector’s arrival the characters were unaware and naïve to the real world.

-        Could be because Eric is “Squiffy”

“Squiffy”

-        Colloquialisms and slang convey role as the youthful generation to further accentuate the stark contrast between the older, more conceited generation and the new hopeful generation.

-        Slang expressions indicate more open and free attitudes to life and people – more accepting and relatable to all.

“Well don’t do any”

-        Tensions and rift between father and son relationship.

“Just let me finish, Eric”

-        Eric is denied a voice by his father. He is keen to speak his views but when he attempts to respond to Birling’s claims that the Germans don’t want war, his father stifles him.

-        Interestingly it seems Eric is perceptive, the fact that he raises war as a possibility shows he is aware of the world’s issues and politics.

“I left’em talking about clothes again. Women are potty about them”

-        Sexist as Eric conforms to society’s idea of stereotypical values that women are restricted to enjoy.

Stage Directions

“(eagerly) Yes I remember – (But checks himself)”

-        Eric may have wanted to refer to Eva Smith here, but whatever he wanted to say, it shows he keeps many things secret from his family

-        Feels unsupported and isolated – can’t confide in father or Gerald.

“Just keep Quiet Eric, and don’t get excited”

-        Once again, Eric…