How Does Priestley Present Eric In An Inspector Calls

“An Inspector Calls” is a play written by J.B. Priestly in 1945. The play, which is set in 1912, illustrates the vast status difference in society at the time. Priestly wanted to show to the audience a more dramatic look at the relationship between the wealthy and the poor.

The Importance of Birling's Interaction with the Inspector in Act One of An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls is a play that was written in 1946 but was set in

by girls, has a job, and has friends like a normal teen. Mentally, Eric is psychopathic;

Usually he stayed with his grandma since his mother was a recreational substance user and his father was in jail for drinking, drugs and abusing in wife or out of jail, but using drugs and alcohol again. Psychologically Eric blocked out much of the abusive behavior or would escape out of the back door run to his grandma’s house across the field who provided a safe place for him to be. He knew he was loved and could depend on his grandma. She told him over and over how important an education would be to his life. Not to take over the family farm or end up in jail. She did everything in her power to make sure he broke the family cycle or abusive drunk

At the beginning of Inspector Calls, Priestley lists a long series of stage directions. He applies them skilfully and effectively as dramatic technique and uses them to show the audience that the Birlings are cold, distant people, blinded by capitalism and wealth.

In the play An Inspector Calls, Priestly uses the actions and words of the characters to symbolise the way the privileged upper classes of the time behaved. Each character has committed some misdemeanour and by allowing the inspector to uncover these, the audience is shown that there are victims in this capitalist and uncaring society where no one is prepared to take responsibility for their actions or for their fellow human beings. The fact that Sheila and Eric later accept responsibility for their actions and can see that their behaviour impacted on Eva, is Priestley’s way of indicating that there is hope that society can take on responsibility for those unable to look after themselves and that people will see themselves as an inter- dependent

‘An inspector call’ is a play set right before the World War I, and it allows people to think about their responsibility to the society by using different characters of different age groups. The young generation like Eric and Shelia has a contrasting perspective to the old generation which can be seen as Mr. Birling and Mrs. Birling, who won’t take the responsibility to the society.

Eric continues to deceive his parents and put on a contrite, innocent face, but meanwhile “ leaks” information about his exploits to his friends. Eric would get angry and embarrassed, and lashed out by doubling down on his desire for destruction and retaliation. His rage knows no specific target, and he is desperate to inflict pain on whoever he can. “ if you have a problem with my thoughts, come tell me and i'll kill you,” Eric is obviously very angry and upset about a lot of different stuff. “DEAD PEOPLE DON’T ARGUE! God DA**IT I AM PISSED!!” this shows all information that someone would need to show that Eric is a

He is nervous from the very beginning. In fact, the first time he was mentioned in the script was "Eric suddenly guffaws" and he cannot explain why he did that, as if he was nervous about something. We learn at the end that it is because has stolen some money. He remains awkward when He, Gerald and Mr Birling (his father) were talking about women’s love for clothes before the Inspector arrived.

Eric is said to be 'not quite at ease'. I do not think that Eric

The admiration for Eric from all these characters is obvious at the conclusion of the film when his victory is so celebrated. The emphasis on Eric’s beliefs and values further differentiates himself from

The most striking way that Priestley presents the inspector in this scene is as an intimidating ma. In the first stage direction about him, it says that he “has a habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually talking”, which can be seen as to give him a higher status than the man/woman, in this case mr. Birling. The word ‘hard’ is used to suggest that the inspector likes to inspect the person to be sure of who he is talking to. They could feel intimidated, uncomfortable or nervous. When he walks in with his “plain suit of the period”the audience is shown that the inspector is a man that cannot be easily intimidated himself, when he can be to others by looking and analyzing them. Another way

An Inspector Calls, set in 1912, is a play with many social and political messages. J. B. Priestley believed a great deal in socialism and believed that many other people needed to be more caring about their community and the people in it. Priestley uses the character of the Inspector to convey his own thoughts, feelings and opinions about social issues. However, he also uses other characters, particularly Mr.Birling, to show the audience how cynical some people can be.

'An Inspector Calls' was set in 1912 in an Edwardian society this was a time of great divide between the classes. There was a lot of social unrest as the working class people where uniting to protest for fair pay, reduced working hours, and better working conditions. The play is set in The Birling Household during Shelia Birling and Gerald Crofts engagement party. The party comes to an abrupt end when a unknown inspector arrives at their door with some news.