Analysis of An Inspector Calls

Analysis of An Inspector Calls

He is described at the start as a "heavy-looking, rather portentous

man in his middle fifties but rather provincial in his speech." He is

provincial in his speech because he is confident that people will

listen to him because of his good contacts with many people of a

‘higher class’.

He has worked his way up in the world and is proud of his

achievements. He boasts about having been Mayor and tries (and fails

miserably) to impress the Inspector with his local standing and his

influential friends. The inspector is not interested in his ‘friends’

or about how he used to be the mayor, but how Mr.Birling is involved

in Eva Smiths’ murder. At first, he is reluctant to reveal his

relationship with Eva Smith, however he then gives in to the

inspector’s power, thinking that if a problem may arise, he may be

able to bribe the inspector to keep quiet or just simply threaten

inspector Goole with his status.

He is also aware of people who are his social superiors, which is why

he shows off about the port to Gerald, "it's exactly the same port

your father gets." This quote shows that he is proud that he is likely

to be knighted, as that would move him even higher in social circles.

He boasts because he is confident and thinks of himself and himself

only. This vaguely portrays the selfish side of him.

He claims the party "is one of the happiest nights of my life." This

is not only because Sheila will be happy, but because a merger with

Crofts Limited will be good for his business. This time again, he is

thinking always first of himself and of others later. We must remember

that ‘others’, on many occasions...

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he got a woman pregnant, he was concerned enough to give her money. He

was obviously less worried about stealing (or 'borrowing' from his

father's office) than he was about the girl's future. So, was Eric,

initially, the most socially aware member of the Birling family?

He is appalled by his parents' inability to admit their own

responsibility. He tells them forcefully, "I'm ashamed of you. When

Birling tries to threaten him in Act III, Eric is aggressive in

return: "I don't give a damn now. Do you think Eric has ever stood up

to his father in this way before?

At the end of the play, like Sheila, he is fully aware of his social

responsibility. He is not interested in his parents' efforts to cover

everything up: as far as he is concerned, the important thing is that

a girl is dead. "We did her in all right.