Generational differences

Themes

characters

5 key quotes

Context

The play was performed in 1946 so many of the audience would see themselves in Sheila and Eric

Play was intended for middle class

labour in power

Sheila and Eric- Represent the younger and upcoming generation who believe more in equality and are also more open with their feelings and opinions compared to their parents

Mr and Mrs Birling- represent older generation who represent the current society and are very traditional, cold
conservative and capitalist. They are greedy and not sympathetic at all, no social responsibility

Gerald- represents the younger generation who have been raised by older generations so that they are similar. This shows that change can happen but not in everyone.

Eva- represents young and working age which makes up a majority of the population-poor

p6-8- Mr birlings speech showing his complacency (smug, satisfaction uncritical)

p19-23- Eric and Sheila criticising their fathers actions towards Eva

p63-66- As soon as the inspector is revealed as fake they become entirely innocent

Mr B- ' The famous younger generation who know it all'

Sheila- 'you began to learn something and now you've stopped... It frightens me the way you talk

Eric- 'But don't forget I'm ashamed of you as well- yes both of you'

Eric-'the fact remains I did what I did'

World war reveals the corruption of society of that the audience were aware.

Priestley's purpose

Priestley shows how we can all change, through the characters of Eric and Sheila who learn to become socially responsible. He creates the characters of Mr and Mrs Birling to seem foolish and out of touch. The children and parents reverse roles by the end of the play

‘Now you three young people, just listen to this.. by the time you’ll be living in a world that’ll have forgotten all these Capital versus Labour agitators and these silly little war scares’