JB Priestly(An inspector calls)-Eric as a character who changes his attitudes towards himself and others

Question 1

What eric says and does throughout the play

how far priestly presents eric as a character who changed his attitudes

Question 2

AO1

Answer 2

Erics response to his mother’s revelation
Eric’s admission of his stealing from Birling’s
Erics account of his revelation with ava in act three
Erics nervousness throughout the play
His comments after the inspector leaves

Question 3

AO2

Answer 3

Presentation of his relationship with his parents
revelation of his feelings and behaviour towards Eva
presentation of his behaviour after the inspector’s departure
presentation of his changing attitudes

Question 4

AO3

Answer 4

ideas about his attitudes as the son of a powerful man
how social class effects eric’s relationship with women
his sense of acceptable male behaviour to women in this period

Question 5

EIC ANALYSIS- SENECCA

Question 6

Roles of Eric

Eric’s parents treat him like a child. His drinking problem is unveiled during the course of the play.

Question 7

Role in the play

Answer 7

Mr Birling often dismisses his own son in favour of Gerald. This shows that Mr Birling is obsessed with his reputation and social status. He is prepared to ignore his own son to get ahead.
The Birlings also show their selfish attitudes by knowing so little about their son. They do not realise he has a drinking problem.

Question 8

Role in the family

Answer 8

Eric Mr and Mrs Birling’s son.
In the play, Mr Birling often dismisses him.
Eric is treated like a child throughout the play – his parents do not pay attention to him or take him seriously.
Eric has a bad drinking problem, which his parents do not know about.

Question 9

Connection to Eva

Answer 9

Eric met Eva in a bar when he was drunk and effectively forced his way into her lodgings (where she lives).
He forced her to sleep with him.
They kept up a sexual relationship for a while before Eva found out she was pregnant.
Eric gave her stolen money – when she found out it was stolen, she refused to see him anymore.

Question 10

Son of Mr and Mrs Birling
Treated like a child throughout
Has a bad drinking problem
Son of Mr and Mrs Birling
Meets Eva at a bar
Gets Eva pregnant
Gives Eva stolen money

Question 11

Character Development of Eric

Eric begins the play as an awkward and secretive character. But as the play goes on, he shows remorse, becomes stronger and encourages other characters to change their ways.

Question 12

Beginning - awkward and secretive

Answer 12

Eric first makes an appearance in the play when he laughs to himself.
He is presented as an awkward, secretive character.
The tension between him and his father is obvious.

Question 13

Tense relationship with Mr Birling

Answer 13

Throughout the play Mr Birling generally ignores Eric and talks to Gerald (until he reveals his relationship with Eva) – he admires the upper-class Gerald Croft, but seems to dislike his own son.
Eric also shows immediate support for the workers of the factory – he questions why Mr Birling refused to pay them fairly. This angers Mr Birling, who has no respect for his son or his son’s business sense.

Question 14

Shows remorse

Answer 14

Like Sheila, Eric shows a lot of remorse (regret) over his involvement in Eva Smith’s death.
He felt responsible for Eva (he gave her money to support her and the baby) and now hates that he was so thoughtless and selfish in pursuing a sexual relationship with her.

Question 15

Becomes stronger

Answer 15

Eric becomes stronger as the play progresses.
Eric stands up to both his mother and father – he openly accuses his mother of mudering her grandchild, and tells his father that he doesn’t give a damn what he thinks of him.

Question 16

Learns from the experience

Answer 16

By the end of the play, Eric also wants Mr and Mrs Birling to acknowledge their horrible actions, which caused a girl’s death.
Like Sheila, he has learnt from the experience and wants to become a better person.

Question 17

Significance of Eric

At the beginning of the play, Eric represents the abusive upper class. But as the play goes on, he learns from his actions and represents hope for future generations.

Question 18

Abusive upper class

Answer 18

Priestley uses Eric to show how upper-class people abused their power in a corrupt society.
He forced himself on Eva. He knew that she would give in to him because he had the power to make life more difficult for her because of his status.