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How does Priestley present Eric as a likeable character in An Inspector Calls?
Eric Birling is the son of Mr Birling and Mrs Birling, and plays a significant and influential role
in ‘An Inspector Calls’. Priestley uses Eric, along with his sister Sheila, to present the drastic
differences between the younger generation and the older generation. He also uses him to
present his personal socialist views of 1912. Eric Birling could be regarded as a likeable
character, even considering his repulsive actions, due to his sensitivity and remorse of what
he had done. This is explored throughout the play.
From the beginning of the play we learn from the play's stage directions that Eric is “half shy,
half assertive” which establishes an impression of him being awkward. The noun ‘ half’ has
connotations of being incomplete or insufficient which highlights him being unaware of how
to express himself. This could foreshadow the immense pressure he endures which we
discover later on in the play. We learn early on of Eric’s poor drinking habits as he asked for
“more drinks” even when Sheila had already noticed he was “squiffy” due to his erratic
behaviour. Modern audiences and even 1945 audience members may find this somewhat
relatable. The audience is glad to be enlightened of the truth around the upper classes and
members of the upper class may find themselves resonating. We can assume that Eric has
a drinking problem to ease the pressure of his family’s expectations. Although his drinking
habits can also foreshadow a darker side of him as we learn later in the play of his repulsive
act of forcing himself on Eva Smith. Eric’s deplorable actions lead to us thinking he was a
major reason for Eva’s suicide. She was constantly treated as garbage and exploited for her
pretty looks and we know Eric “just used her for the end of one of his drunken evenings.”
This doesn’t exhibit Eric in a likeable manner toward the audience. Eric is seen as an
immature character at this point and his lack of responsibility displays everything that
Priestley believed was wrong with the Edwardian upper class. Although Priestley may be
doing this to further emphasise an anticipated change of Eric, leading the audience to feel
increasingly sympathetic for him, despite his actions.
When we first find out about what Mr Birling had done to Eva Smith we find that Eric truly is
“half-assertive” as well as his sister. Early on in Act 1 we discover Eric defending Eva
against his father and stated his opinion that he “doesn’t see why she should have been
sacked just because she’d a bit more spirit than the others.” He is questioning his fathers
decision to sack Eva Smith, which manifests his sympathy for others. He backs up his point
with a well reasoned argument, but as we presumed his father “rather angrily” shouts him
down. We can tell from not only this scene but others that Eric has not acquired the bigoted,
arrogant attitudes of his father. Instead he seems to have obtained a rather compassionate
attitude. He demonstrates an understanding of the struggle the working class and shows his
negative views on capitalist opinions and questions “why should they try for higher wages?”
He does not agree with the ideologies of his father and this may be the reason why him and
Mr Birling are distant with each other. Mr Birling describes Gerald, Sheila’s fiancée, as the
“son I never had” which enforces the idea that Eric does not live up the standard set out for
him and is viewed as an outsider or inferior to Gerald. Priestley may have done this in an
attempt to cause the audience to feel sympathy for Eric, and may tell us why he is different
to others. This portends a responsibility that Eric soon secures.
Finally when Eric is confronted of his affiliation with Eva Smith, he begins to realise his
wrongdoings . Priestly shows us that Eric can be responsible and that people should
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