In the opening scenes of Priestley's An Inspector Calls, Eric is portrayed as little more than a drunken child ("just a boy", as his Mother would have said so.) If the play is considered a morality play, then Eric is perhaps guilty of the sins of lust, gluttony, and sloth. Later in the show, however, despite the revelations of Eva Smith's poor treatment, the audience gains some sympathy for him as we realize that he is a sensitive and rather "lost" character, perhaps longing for a more supportive and fulfilling relationship . with his family. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Even at the beginning of the show, Eric appears to be an outsider. The opening stage directions describe him as "not entirely at ease" and Priestley points out that he is "half shy and half assertive" and therefore at odds with the other characters, namely the "easy, well-mannered Gerald" and the "Easy, well-bred Gerald" of a heavy and rather portentous appearance" Arthur Birling. Eric says very little in the first act - speaking only to congratulate and tease his sister on her engagement ("he has a bad temper sometimes - but it's not that bad") and to laugh at their solemnity ("Eric suddenly laughs") . Indeed, throughout the first act there are a number of hints that Eric has been drinking a little too much ("You're a little dizzy") and it is implied that this is a coping strategy adopted to avoid confrontation or criticism ( 'Could I have a drink first?'). At this point, he seems like a rather weak and self-indulgent character with whom the audience will not sympathize. It is clear, however, that Eric commands very little respect in the family and, when he tries to defy the his father's rather old-fashioned attitude and short-sighted views on the likelihood of war, is met with little attention Mr Birling: Everything to lose and nothing to gain from the war. Eric: Yes, I know, but still... Mr Birling: Leave me finish, Eric The fact that Priestley uses dramatic irony here (an audience in 1945 would have been completely aware that the war, in fact, broke out in 1914) may improve the audience's opinion of Eric. At least he has more insight than his father , seemingly stubborn and ignorant. To both of his parents, Eric is little more than a "boy" who has "a lot to learn", rather than a young man capable of dealing with difficulties. consequences. His opinions are not sought after in the Birling household and he is often treated like a child. When he challenges his father about the injustice of his actions in punishing his factory workers who went on strike, Birling tells his son that his views are "rubbish" and advises him to "keep out of all this". In this way, then, the audience feels some sympathy for him, as it is clear that he is desperately unhappy in his job and his role in the Birling family. On the other hand, it is later revealed that Eric is involved with both Eva Smith's suicide and, furthermore, stealing money from his father's company. He openly admits that he treats Eva "like an animal, a thing, not a person", which revokes most feelings of sympathy towards Eric: the audience sympathized with him up until that point as he was disliked by his family, however he revealed that he had no respect or value even for this young woman. He was no better than the other members of his family; he was simply abusing his status to gain power over a young woman. Eric tries to justify using Eva and the stolen money by saying that it would provide Eva with the care she needed. All in all, it played a significant role.