How Does Priestley Present Eric In An Inspector Calls

Looking closely at structure, language and dramatic devices, explore Priestley's presentation of Eric in ‘An inspector calls’

An inspector's call can be seen as a warning about the pitfalls of wealth. The play centres on the inspector's visit to the birlings’ house and the inspector seeking to expose the failings of wealth and reveal the truth about the Birling/Croft families. The play closely follows how each member of the Birling/Croft families have had an effect on Eva Smith taking her own life. The name Eva Smith is so significant because the name Eva refers to the first women and Smith is a common name which could mean any woman.

A young character shy and not quite at ease, Eric is shielded from the rest of the world

Eric is also similar to the inspector, this shows that he also has some good qualities. He is similar to the inspector because they both sympathise with Eva Smith and argue on her behalf after her death. We can see him arguing on Eva Smiths’ behalf when he says “why shouldn’t they try for more wages” This shows that he agrees with some of the ideals of the female

He represents male sexual behaviour because of what he did to eva smith and how he is described to act around women. He also represents the privileged but irresponsible youth, Eric is an alcoholic and this is something that is overlooked too much by his parents and he is not looked after enough by his parents to stop his drinking habits. Eric is very privileged because of his wealthy mother and father but he is very irresponsible and immature partly because of how unexposed to the real world he was by his parents. Eric is represented as the black sheep of the family because of how he lies about stealing his fathers money and his illegitimate child. Eric has good morals which we can see at the end of the play but it was too late when he started to care for Eva Smith and his unborn child. Eric also represents the broader issues explored in the play such as social responsibility, the consequences of individual actions, and the theme of class and capitalism. Eric's behaviour and actions highlight the consequences of selfishness and lack of social responsibility, which ultimately contribute to the tragedy that takes place in the play. He also symbolises the changing attitudes of the younger generation towards these issues, which is a reflection of the wider societal changes happening during the time the play was