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Eric Birling: Quotes, Character, and Analysis in An Inspector Calls

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Ella Shorter

2/16/2023

English Literature

inspector calls character eric

Eric Birling: Quotes, Character, and Analysis in An Inspector Calls

Eric Birling is a complex character in "An Inspector Calls" who undergoes significant development throughout the play. Initially portrayed as immature and lacking confidence, Eric's journey reveals his moral awakening and sense of responsibility.

  • Eric shows sympathy for the working class and questions capitalist ideals
  • He struggles with alcoholism and makes poor decisions, including getting Eva Smith pregnant
  • Despite initial superficiality, Eric ultimately demonstrates remorse and accepts responsibility for his actions
  • His character arc represents the potential for change and moral growth in the younger generation
...

2/16/2023

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English Literature

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Feb 16, 2023

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Eric Birling: Quotes, Character, and Analysis in An Inspector Calls

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Ella Shorter

@ellashorter

Eric Birling is a complex character in "An Inspector Calls" who undergoes significant development throughout the play. Initially portrayed as immature and lacking confidence, Eric's journey reveals his moral awakening and sense of responsibility.

  • Eric shows sympathy for the working... Show more

C
HOR
ERIC BIRLING
CHARACTERISTICS:
Eric is sympathetic towards the working class people, he asks
Mr Birling why shouldn't they try for high

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Eric Birling: Character Analysis

Eric Birling is a pivotal character in J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls". As the son of the wealthy Birling family, Eric's character development is central to the play's themes of social responsibility and moral awakening.

Highlight: Eric's character arc represents the potential for change and moral growth in the younger generation, contrasting with the older generation's rigid views.

Characteristics and Personality

Eric is portrayed as a complex and flawed individual. He is sympathetic towards the working class, questioning his father's capitalist ideals. This is evident when he asks, "why shouldn't they try for higher wages?" His concern for workers' rights sets him apart from his family's conservative views.

Quote: "In his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy-half assertive"

This description by Priestley reveals Eric's lack of confidence and indecisive nature. The repetition of "half" emphasizes his internal conflict and immaturity, foreshadowing the poor choices he will make.

Eric struggles with alcoholism, which contributes to his poor decision-making. His actions, including getting Eva Smith pregnant and stealing money from his father, demonstrate his impulsive and irresponsible behavior.

Vocabulary: Capitalism - An economic system based on private ownership of property and business, with the goal of making profit in a free market.

Relationship with Eva Smith

Eric's interaction with Eva Smith is a crucial element of his character development. His initial attraction to her is superficial, as evidenced by his quote:

Quote: "I wasn't in love or anything but I liked her. She was pretty"

This statement reveals Eric's emotional immaturity and self-indulgent nature. It suggests a lack of depth in his relationships and a tendency to objectify women.

Moral Awakening

As the play progresses, Eric undergoes a significant moral transformation. He begins to understand the consequences of his actions and feels genuine remorse for his role in Eva's death.

Quote: "And I say that the girl's dead and we all helped to kill her-and that's what matters"

This powerful statement demonstrates Eric's acceptance of responsibility. The use of "we" includes everyone on stage, emphasizing the collective guilt and responsibility for Eva's fate.

Symbolic Representation

Eric's character can be seen as a metaphor for the abuse of the working class by capitalist society. This is suggested in the quote:

Quote: "When a chap easily turns nasty"

The ease with which Eric's behavior turns "nasty" could symbolize how capitalism exploits the lower classes. This interpretation adds depth to Eric's character and ties him closely to the play's broader social critique.

In conclusion, Eric Birling's character analysis reveals a young man grappling with personal flaws and societal expectations. His journey from a careless, privileged youth to a remorseful, socially conscious individual embodies the play's central themes of responsibility and the potential for change.

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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

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I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️

Thomas R

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Brad T

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Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

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Greenlight Bonnie

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Elisha

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This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!

Paul T

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