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Eric Birling (DESCRIPTION (His behaviour is uncommon for a man of his…
Eric Birling
DESCRIPTION
He is describe by the play write as 'In his twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive'
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Future head of the Birling business. Thus suggesting he will be an amazingly well raised son with perfect social awareness and manners
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KEY QUOTES
'You told her! Why, you little sneak'|Act three .
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'Eric suddenly guffaws'
He is unable to explain his laughter, as if he is nervous about something
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CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Everyone finds out that Eric is hiding some dirty secrets. Eric's drunkenness and bad behaviour represents the dark side of family life. He is a heavy drinker and has been for a while. You can see his 'familiarity with quick heavy drinking' in the way he pours his whisky in Act Three.
His first encounter with Eva/Daisy results in her getting pregnant and there's a suggestion that he forced himself on her. Giving the reader a sense of frustration and anger. Also sympathy towards Eva.
Throughout the play, Priestly also drops hints that Eric isn't alright. Priestly's stage directions say that Eric is 'not quite at ease'. He interrupts Sheila and Gerald when he 'suddenly guffaws' but says he doesn't know why he's laughing. When Gerald says, 'Unless Eric's been up to something,' Eric acts suspiciously- 'I don't think that's very funny,' he says 'still uneasy', and also answers defiantly.
Eric is also the only character in the play who has serious consequences for what he did. He is still young and naive giving the reader a sense of sympathy.