What is the importance of Eric's character in 'An Inspector calls'? How has his character changed by the end of the play? can you please give...

Eric is potentially one of the founders of the next
generation; if Eva had lived he could well be a father. Despite his wild and reckless
past, his childish actions and the fierce protectionism of his family, Eric emerges as
penitent and ready to acknowledge the lesson that Inspector Goole delivers. It is
important that he represents youth and the hope that the dramatic message can be
learnt.

In the early part of the play he is drunk and
insensible, mocking of the proceedings. He laughs aloud when the conversation turns to
Gerald and his ‘work’. This indicates that he is aware of Gerald’s philandering, and
probably views it this point as inconsequential as his
own.

Eric is quite disturbed to discover that the visitor
is an inspector. This foreshadows his revelation of his criminal activity in the theft
he has perpetrated from his family in a feeble attempt to support
Eva.

By the end of the play, Eric is clear on the message
that the inspector has delivered, that

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 ‘we are all responsible for each
other’,

Eric can also see
that its reality or source is unimportant.

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‘It’s still the same rotten story whether it’s
been told to a police inspector or somebody else…It’s what happened to the girl and what
we all did to her that matters.’