Young VS old

• older generation


  capitalism - wealth belongs to those who make it

  they won't change

  traditional views - children should be seen not heard, obedient

  they think they are right

  upper class - feel superior, above everyone else
• younger generation


  ambitious, determined, motivated

  socialists - wealth should be shared

  challenge authority

  they learn and change - Eric and Sheila
• Gerald - oldest youngest man


  he provides false hope - people think that he will turn out like the other young Birlings

  he wants to marry Sheila for business reasons

  he is a mini Arthur - agrees with him all the time ' I agree' (A1) and 'Hear, hear! I think my father would agree to that' - he just wants to fit into society - he wants to marry and have a successful business

  doesn't learn anything - he doesn't feel guilty about what he did to Eva - tries to re-engage Sheila - 'Everything is alright now' - doesn't take in how this might have effected her
• Priestly uses Gerald to show in order for change to happen, people have to want to change - critiques the upper class for being stuck in their own ways and therefore how they are not likely to change
• 'unsinkable absolutely unsinkable' , 'Germans don't want war' - Mr Birling


  shows the older generations views

  he is wrong - creates distrust with the audience

  shows how the older generation are ignorant to the world around them

  irony
• 'ring' - Mrs Birling


  saying that she will call Edna - shows how the older generation are oblivious to other peoples lives

  shows how they are stuck in their old privileged ways - 1945 = fallen out of fashion to have maids

  they don't want change as it suits them - it means they will have to do basic stuff like answer the door
• Sheila


  she changes the most - she goes from being immature and materialistic to autoreactive and mature

  she goes from calling her parents 'mummy' and ' father' to 'mother' and 'father' - matured

  mirrors the Inspector - forces a confession out of Gerald, A3 - interrogates her family - 'Fire and blood and anguish'
• Priestley uses Eric and Sheila to show how the younger generation are more open to change, they are socialists and want to help others

  by making them the younger generation, it shows how the socialist view is the way forward
• Eric


  transforms when he see's the consequences of his actions for Eva

  he feels generally guilty for what he did he can barely speak when he has to admit what he did 'And that's when it happens. And I don't even remember - that's the hellish thing' - shows remorse

  he says - 'We did her in alright' - 'we' = socialist view

  he is open to change
• Eva Smith


  shows how the older generation's effects the younger

  • Mr Birling refusing to pay her more started it off
  • Mrs Birling refusing to help her finished it off

  cyclical structure - started with the old Birling and ended with the old Birling