Priestly uses the theme age to show how he believed that there was a hope in the younger generation's ability to learn and change
"You're beginning to pretend now that nothing's really happened at all"
Eric sees that his parents are trying to 'pretend' that nothing happened when it is suggested that the Inspector was not real. He and Sheila, the younger characters, still feel responsible
"Why, you hysterical young fool - get back - or I'll-"
This is when MrBirling turns on Eric and nearly attacks him. He implies that Eric is a 'fool' because he is young. Ironically, it is the older Arthur who nearly resorts physicalviolence
