Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-4-1-eric-analysis [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls.md) › Eric Analysis # Eric Analysis English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls, topic 3.4.1 ## Roles of Eric Eric's parents treat him like a child. His drinking problem is unveiled during the course of the play. ### Role in the family ![Role in the family](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/51baca0d-03c9-41dc-b716-502ac1fd66b1/9cafdc81-0c69-4228-abd9-8dd1d3a8abe3.png) - Eric is 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. ### Role in the play ![Role in the play](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/fcd8d642-83f2-41b0-ab4c-c2bbeb66b1a7/69a12203-67e5-4717-bf0f-b31cbc726426.png) - 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. ### Connection to Eva ![Connection to Eva](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/30f1703e-5c7f-48fc-be0f-3b3f44d07ccd/72ad4dff-fdb6-461d-a0b4-a29127b679c9.png) - 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. ## 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. ### Beginning - awkward and secretive ![Beginning - awkward and secretive](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/43c25124-5ed8-4a1d-a40b-9db3165ca5d4/05656144-8b48-45bc-9eb9-380de9cfcc92.png) - 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. ### Tense relationship with Mr Birling ![Tense relationship with Mr Birling](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/1afb3da6-2bf3-4028-bae4-89eb5aa72934/0875929f-c4a8-44b5-b05e-2f97ea8add34.png) - 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. ### Shows remorse ![Shows remorse](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/99d78398-cfab-4957-bd0d-9f589ec547ea/68eebb6f-c6ae-4b46-8374-c5f4ee0836b4.png) - 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. ### Becomes stronger ![Becomes stronger](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/28a9ce2a-722e-4de0-b44e-2295f58f2c70/shutterstock_95420152.jpg) - Eric becomes stronger as the play progresses. - Eric stands up to both his mother and father – he openly accuses his mother of murdering her grandchild, and tells his father that he doesn’t give a damn what he thinks of him. ### Learns from the experience ![Learns from the experience](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/08d700cc-6217-48d7-9201-e2ed53220013/29f48baa-a69a-4773-9fc1-0595dbfbe00b.png) - 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. ## 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. ### Abusive upper class ![Abusive upper class](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/a36f79f5-c80b-488e-9fda-320402bac8c1/shutterstock_444509884.jpg) - 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. ### Hope of future generations ![Hope of future generations](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/775cf3c0-0be2-403f-9c77-bc813bd463b9/shutterstock_137307233.jpg) - But Eric does recognise the error of his ways and accepts that his actions were inexcusable and wrong. - Like Sheila, Eric represents the hope of future generations, who could learn from their mistakes and use their new-found socialist beliefs to improve the wider society. ## Test yourself on Eric Analysis - Which of these are true about Eric? - Which of these are true about Eric's connection to Eva? - Which of these is _not_ true about Mr Birling's relationship with Eric? - Timeline of Eric's Relationship With Eva - How is Eric presented at the start of the play? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/1bcb11c0-2c27-11e8-b18d-d1082cf88b6d/section/5d9668c0-2dbc-11e8-aca5-6f58cd924721/session) - Previous topic: [3.3.3 End of Topic Test - The Birlings & Sheila](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-3-end-of-topic-test-the-birlings-and-sheila.md) - Next topic: [3.4.2 Eric Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-4-2-eric-quotes.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls contents ### 1 Plot Summary - 1.1 Act 1 - [1.1.1 Act 1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-1-1-act-1-summary.md) - [1.1.2 Act 1 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-1-2-act-1-key-quotes.md) - 1.2 Act 2 - [1.2.1 Act 2 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-2-1-act-2-summary.md) - [1.2.2 Act 2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-2-2-act-2-key-quotes.md) - 1.3 Act 3 - [1.3.1 Act 3 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-1-act-3-summary.md) - [1.3.2 Act 3 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-2-act-3-key-quotes.md) - [1.3.3 Act 3 More Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-3-act-3-more-key-quotes.md) - [1.3.4 End of Topic Test - Acts 1, 2 & 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-4-end-of-topic-test-acts-1-2-and-3.md) ### 2 Context & Key Themes - 2.1 Context & Key Themes - [2.1.1 Social Class & Equality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-1-social-class-and-equality.md) - [2.1.2 Class Tension](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-2-class-tension.md) - [2.1.3 Abuse of Power & Corruption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-3-abuse-of-power-and-corruption.md) - [2.1.4 Socialism vs Capitalism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-4-socialism-vs-capitalism.md) - [2.1.5 Blame & Responsibility](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-5-blame-and-responsibility.md) - [2.1.6 Attitudes to Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-6-attitudes-to-women.md) - [2.1.7 Characterisation of Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-7-characterisation-of-women.md) - [2.1.8 Dramatic Function of Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-8-dramatic-function-of-characters.md) - [2.1.9 End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-9-end-of-topic-test-context-and-key-themes.md) - [2.1.10 End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-10-end-of-topic-test-context-and-key-themes-2.md) - [2.1.11 Grade 9 - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-11-grade-9-key-themes.md) - [2.1.12 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-12-diagnostic-misconceptions-socialism-vs-communism.md) - [2.1.13 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-13-diagnostic-misconceptions-edna.md) - [2.1.14 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-14-diagnostic-misconceptions-women-in-the-play.md) - [2.1.15 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-15-diagnostic-misconceptions-eva-smith.md) ### 3 Key Characters - 3.1 Mr Birling - [3.1.1 Mr Birling Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-1-mr-birling-analysis.md) - [3.1.2 Mr Birling Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-2-mr-birling-quotes.md) - [3.1.3 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Arrogance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-3-diagnostic-misconceptions-arrogance.md) - [3.1.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Illegality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-illegality.md) - 3.2 Mrs Birling - [3.2.1 Mrs Birling Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-2-1-mrs-birling-analysis.md) - [3.2.2 Mrs Birling Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-2-2-mrs-birling-quotes.md) - [3.2.3 Exam-Style Questions - Mrs Birling](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-2-3-exam-style-questions-mrs-birling.md) - 3.3 Sheila - [3.3.1 Sheila Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-1-sheila-analysis.md) - [3.3.2 Sheila Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-2-sheila-quotes.md) - [3.3.3 End of Topic Test - The Birlings & Sheila](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-3-end-of-topic-test-the-birlings-and-sheila.md) - 3.4 Eric - [3.4.1 Eric Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-4-1-eric-analysis.md) - [3.4.2 Eric Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-4-2-eric-quotes.md) - 3.5 Gerald - [3.5.1 Gerald Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-5-1-gerald-analysis.md) - [3.5.2 Gerald Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-5-2-gerald-quotes.md) - [3.5.3 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Gerald's Morals](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-5-3-diagnostic-misconceptions-geralds-morals.md) - 3.6 Inspector Goole - [3.6.1 Inspector Goole Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-1-inspector-goole-analysis.md) - [3.6.2 Inspector Goole Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-2-inspector-goole-quotes.md) - [3.6.3 End of Topic Test - Eric, Gerald & Inspector Goole](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-3-end-of-topic-test-eric-gerald-and-inspector-goole.md) - [3.6.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-ghost.md) - 3.7 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [3.7.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-7-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) ### 4 Authorial Method - 4.1 Arrangement & Structure of the Play - [4.1.1 Setting, Lighting & Dramatic Irony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-1-setting-lighting-and-dramatic-irony.md) - [4.1.2 Structure & Chronology](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-2-structure-and-chronology.md) - [4.1.3 Structure & Chronology 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-3-structure-and-chronology-2.md) - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Authorial Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-authorial-method.md) - [4.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Flashbacks](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-flashbacks.md) ### 5 Recap: Main Quotes - 5.1 Mr Birling Quotes - [5.1.1 Mr Birling Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-1-1-mr-birling-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.1.2 Mr Birling Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-1-2-mr-birling-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.1.3 Mr Birling Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-1-3-mr-birling-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.2 Mrs Birling Quotes - [5.2.1 Mrs Birling Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-2-1-mrs-birling-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.2.2 Mrs Birling Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-2-2-mrs-birling-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.2.3 Mrs Birling Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-2-3-mrs-birling-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.3 Sheila Quotes - [5.3.1 Sheila Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-3-1-sheila-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.3.2 Sheila Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-3-2-sheila-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.3.3 Sheila Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-3-3-sheila-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.4 Eric Quotes - [5.4.1 Eric Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-4-1-eric-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.4.2 Eric Quotes Act 1 (2nd Quote)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-4-2-eric-quotes-act-1-2nd-quote.md) - [5.4.3 Eric Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-4-3-eric-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.5 Gerald Quotes - [5.5.1 Gerald Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-5-1-gerald-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.5.2 Gerald Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-5-2-gerald-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.5.3 Gerald Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-5-3-gerald-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.6 Inspector Goole Quotes - [5.6.1 Inspector Goole Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-6-1-inspector-goole-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.6.2 Inspector Goole Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-6-2-inspector-goole-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.6.3 Inspector Goole Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-6-3-inspector-goole-quotes-act-3.md)