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Eric Birling - Coggle Diagram
Eric Birling
Beginning
Secretive, withholding secrets - 'Half shy, half assertive'
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Alcoholic - ''You're squiffy'' - Sheila, 'takes decanter and helps himself', this also reveals a playful and defiant personality, making fun of his sister often
Uneasy / observing - he is overpowered by the others' conversation and rarely speaks, however when he does it is loud and confident.
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Middle
First person to agree with the inspector about Eva Smith's unfair treatment - ''It isn't (a free country) if you can't go and work somewhere else.'' this angers his father yet he keeps his opinion.
Subversive, quite rebellious to his father's capitalist views.
Revealed to be quite reserved and a heavy drinker through a discussion in his absence - ''Actually I've never seen much of him outside this house – but- well, I have gathered that he does drink pretty hard.'' - Gerald
He reveals to the family that he was acquainted with Eva Smith under a false name, and that he raped her while drunk and supposedly got her pregnant. ''..she didn't want me to go in but that – well, I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty – and I threatened to make a row.''
Mentions that him and Daisy met later in the year and describes his opinion of her in an objectifying way. ''I wasn't in love with her or anything – but I liked her – she was pretty and a good sport''
End
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Now a known rapist to his family, he feels guilty for it
He then settles his views, opposing his father's and finally snaps at his father. ''You told us that a man has to make his own way, look after himself and mind his own business, and that we weren't to take any notice of these cranks who tell us that everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together. Do you remember? Yes – and then one of those cranks walked in – the Inspector.''
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Purpose
To criticize Edwardian men on their misogyny and abuse of power over women. Priestley was a feminist, so he uses Eric to embody the type of person he is against, and to represent that acting misogynistic and careless has consequences.
To suggest that the younger generation of post-war Britain want a more hopeful, caring and equal future.