Generational Divide

• Generational divide in act 1 quote and summary:

  “You youngsters just remember what I said” — Mr Birling, Mr Birling tells Eric, Sheila and Gerald to remember his predictions about the future — predictions the audience knows are inaccurate.
• Generational divide in act 1 quote and summary:

  “Really the things you girls pick up

  these days!” — Mrs Birling, Mrs Birling criticises Sheila, suggesting that she disapproves of modern culture or behaviour that is not traditionally feminine.
• Generational divide in act 2 quote and summary:

  “We often do [make an impression] on the younger ones” — Inspector Goole, The Inspector suggests that the younger generation is more receptive to his socialist message.
• Generational divide in act 3 quote and summary:

  “You’re ready to go on in the same old way” — Sheila Birling, Sheila criticises her parents and Gerald (representing the older generation) for ignoring the Inspector’s lesson about responsibility.
• Generational divide in act 3 quote and summary:

  “... the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t

  even take a joke” — Mr Birling, Mr Birling attacks Sheila’s generation (and therefore Priestley’s 1945 audience), before he is proven wrong one final time.
• What are the elements of generational divide in An Inspector Calls?

  • Mr Birling is shown to be incorrect about his predictions for his children’s future, making us question the wisdom and attitudes of the older generation that he represents
• What are the elements of generational divide in An Inspector Calls?

  • Sheila and Eric, the younger generation, openly challenge their parents’ views on social responsibility, and are shown to be far more receptive to Inspector Goole’s socialist message
• What are the elements of generational divide in An Inspector Calls?

  • Gerald Croft initially seems to accept the Inspector’s message, but later sides with the irresponsible and ignorant older generation
• What are the elements of generational divide in An Inspector Calls?

  • Priestley shows that the younger members of the Birling family are capable of taking responsibility for their actions; they learn to care about the vulnerable members of society who have been exploited by greedy capitalists
• The impact of generational divide on characters: (part 1)

  Priestley initially presents the younger generation as receptive to the views of the older generation: Sheila and Eric both listen dutifully to Mr Birling’s capitalist speech about the dangers of socialism and the importance of looking after oneself. However, as the Inspector reveals the consequences of the family’s behaviour towards Eva Smith, the younger Birlings begin to question and challenge their parents’ selfish attitudes.
• The impact of generational divide on characters: (part 2)

  By Act 3, Sheila and Eric understand the importance of social responsibility, while the older Birlings and Gerald refuse to accept the Inspector’s message. The representatives of the older generation are punished for their self-interest by the phone call from the police that ends the play.
• The impact of generational divide on characters:

  Mr and Mrs Birling: (part 1)

  • Mr Birling expects the younger generation to “just listen” to — and accept — his views on social responsibility:
  • He dismisses as “nonsense” the idea that people need to look out for one another
  • His inaccurate predictions about the Titanic and the prospect of war show that his opinions cannot be trusted
• The impact of generational divide on characters:

  Mr and Mrs Birling: (part 2)

  • Sheila argues that the Inspector is correct, but Mrs Birling replies: “I don’t understand you”:
  • This suggests that she incapable of understanding why she must change
  • Arthur and Sybil Birling are entrenched in their upper-class selfishness:
  • In Act 3, they mock Sheila and Eric for being so easily influenced by the Inspector
  • They are more concerned by a potential scandal than taking responsibility for their actions
• The impact of generational divide on characters:

  Sheila and Eric Birling: (part 1)

  • In Act 1, Sheila and Eric seem to respect their father’s views on capitalism and society:
  • Sheila is especially childlike and subordinate, referring to her father as “daddy”
  • This can be contrasted to her behaviour as the play develops and she begins to challenge her parents’ views
• The impact of generational divide on characters:

  Sheila and Eric Birling: (part 2)

  • Eric highlights the problems with Mr and Mrs Birling’s parenting:
  • He describes his father as “not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble”
  • His parents’ disbelief at Eric’s drinking and involvement with Eva reveals how blinkered the older generation is
  • Eric and Sheila listen to and understand the Inspector’s socialist message:
  • The play ends with the suggestion that the younger generation will be more responsible than their forebears 
• Why does Priestley use the theme of generational divide in his play?

  1. Setting and period

  • Priestley presents the ignorant attitudes of Mr Birling’s generation in order to emphasise to his 1945 audience how society has developed since 1912
  • Priestley redeems the characters of Eric and Sheila to suggest that their generation is capable of learning difficult lessons and enacting positive social change
• Why does Priestley use the theme of generational divide in his play?

  2. Political commentary

  • Priestley’s depiction of pre-war values (including unregulated capitalist greed and an absence of social care) confronts his audience with the awful consequences of patriarchal traditions
  • Inspector Goole emphasises that “the young ones” are more receptive to the socialism and progressive movements that emerged after the Second World War.
• Why does Priestley use the theme of generational divide in his play?

  3. Audience appeal

  • Priestley’s 1945 audience were members of a more progressive and responsible generation:
  • Sheila and Eric are therefore effective as audience surrogates  in the play — their newfound morals and sense of responsibility represent the values of a post-war audience