GCSE English Literature A* / 9 An Inspector Calls notes - Eric Birling
Booklet of notes for Mr Birling, Mrs Birling, Sheila, Eric & Gerald available.
For each character, there is an overview followed by every quote in order related to that character, with a detailed analysis beneath the quote...
Priestley's Message (intended effect on the audience')
Conveys how the upper class abused their power over the working class
(treated Eva Smith 'as if she were an animal, a thing, not a person.')
He represents (with Sheila) the younger generation - Priestley saw them as
'more impressionable'.
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.
However, he accepts responsibility, and like Sheila, feels very guilty about
what he did. He is ashamed of his behaviour and shows that he is capable of
changing for the better. 'The fact remains that I did what I did.' Therefore, the
audience is more likely to forgive him.
Key Quotations:
Pg 2: “Eric is in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive.”
We realise that there is something not quite right with Eric when he is
first introduced in the opening stage directions, he is clearly
uncomfortable in some way.
His description, “half shy, half assertive,” seems paradoxical, raising our
suspicions.
In Priestley’s stage directions of Eric’s confident, adept handling of the
decanter gives the audience clues as to the role of drink later in the play.
In contrast to the easy confidence of Gerald, Eric appears to be an
uncertain character who Is ''not quite at ease' in the company of his own
family, perhaps implying that he has a reason to be. The “half shy, half
assertive'' stage direction suggests that Eric is a man who is battling
against himself in some way.
, Pg 3: “You’re squiffy.”
He could be drunk at the beginning when he 'suddenly guffaws' for no
reason. He drinks 'pretty hard'.
The sibling squabbling which follows suggest the immaturity of these
two young adults. The use of slang/ colloquialisms such as 'ass' and
'squiffy' shows a clear difference between the generations of Birlings and
foreshadows how the family will split as the investigation comes to a
conclusion.
Another clue that makes the audience suspicious of him is when Gerald
jokes to Mr Birling that the arrival of the Inspector could be something to
do with Eric: 'Unless Eric's been up to something.' Eric answers, '(still
uneasy) Well I don't think it's very funny.' (Pg 10)
Pg 4: “Well, don’t do any. We’ll drink their health and have done with it.”
Lack of respect.
Pg 6: “What about war?” “Just let me finish, Eric. You’ve a lot to learn yet.”
Distant Relationship with his father- His concerns are dismissed.
Eric's questioning, 'What about war?' is stifled by his father's rant acting
as a metaphor for how men like Birling chose to dismiss or drown out the
voice of opposition.
Pg 9: “What’s the joke?”
Eric is deliberately excluded.
Gerald and Birling appear conspiratorial, Birling speaking
“Confidentially,” as they share confidences and 'laugh'. This dramatically
emphasises the strain between the questioning Eric and his father: it links
back to Birling's declaration that Gerald is more suitable as an heir that
his own flesh and blood – “You’re just the kind of son-in-law I always
wanted.”
Pg 9: “Take decanter and helps himself.”
Appears all too comfortable.
Pg 9: “I left ‘em talking about clothes again.”
In this social class, the upmost concern is outward appearances.
Pg 9: “you’ve got to remember, my boy...”
“Yes, I remember – ”
“(confused) Nothing.”
G: “Sounds a bit fishy to me.”
B: “Yes, you don’t know what some of these boys get up to nowadays.
More money to spend and time to spare than I had when I was Eric’s age.
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