The Generation Divide - Young vs Old

The Generation Divide - Young vs Old

Older Generation

Younger Generation

Quotes

Messages

Mr Birling

character has cyclical structure

doesn't undergo any transformation

all he cares about is being rewarded

the younger generation are the hope for the future

Mrs Birling

character has cyclical structure

refuses to make any change to behaviour, attitudes and feelings

only cares about stability of pedestal and preserving image

unshaken by Eva's tragedy

your life experiences and era you grow up in affect your morals and political identity

stuck in their ways and narrow minded

incredible levels of delusion

refuse to be self aware

curious and compassionate

quick to rectify their ignorance

Sheila

Eric

Undergoes a character arc

undergoes a character arc

immature desire to follow parents at beginning

gains a mature understanding of the real world

morality and integrity are meaningless

resistant to criticism

symbol of the older generations power and influence in society

see younger generation as naive and foolish

unrepentant about her prejudices

resistant to anyone who challenges hos opinions or authority

believes he's wise and infallible

struggled to accept changes in modern life

MR B: "Now you three young people, just listen to this - and remember what I'm telling you"

uses imperatives to emphasises Mr B's desire for attention, he's fixated on age and superiority, patronising and mocking

MR B: "Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable", "Germans don't want war"

MR B: "I don't want to lecture you two young fellows again"

dramatic irony expresses how deluded the ego of the older generations was

perceived and weaker and less worthy by older generations

infantilised

presents Mr B as an educational figure, he thinks it's his duty to rectify the mistakes of the young and set them on the right path

denounces socialism

focused on privacy and self preservation

obsessed with appearances, manners and social etiquette

prioritises social conduct over genuine interaction

deliberately ignorant and obstinate

MRS B: "You have no power to change my mind"

thinks changing is a sign of weakness or submission, saw alternative suggestions as a challenge to her authority

sees the worst in people and villainises them

MRS B: "girls of that class", "girls of that sort"

blinded by their intolerance

refuses to trust Eva, even with the evidence right in front of her

quickly break free and think independently

the younger generation are capable of starting a revolution

suffer under the pressure placed on them by their elders

willing to challenge the decisions his father makes

ERIC: "as you were saying Dad a man has to look after himself"

verbatim repetition of his father's words imply Eric is incapable of thinking for himself, feels obliged to mindlessly follow his father

ability to go against tradition and change the future

ERIC: "Why shouldn't they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices"

recognises the capitalist system is selfish and exploitive

admits her mistakes and learns from them

wants to help other realises they are wrong

isn't afraid to call them out for their continued snobbery and denial

click to edit

SHEILA: "But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people"

explicitly goes against capitalist ideas therefore explicitly opposing her father

uses Sheila and Eric to expose the ridiculousness of the older generations facades

SHEILA: "you'll see"

ominous refrain, implies Sheila is desperate for her parents to have their lies and pretences broken down

tries to stop the cycle of mistakes

younger generations are able to identify the injustices committed by their elders and rectify them

incapable of respecting the younger generations

his monologues dominate the beginning showing how the older generations voices were given a lot more respect in society and rarely questioned

craves attention, constantly interrupts Eric

MR B: " I don't want any of that talk form you", "Don't talk to me like that"

older generations silenced and censored any resistance or opposition

MRS B: "Shelia, don't talk nonsense", "don't contradict me like that"

Mrs B bans people from disagreeing with her , presenting the rule of the older generations as a strict dictatorship

selfishness and denial of responsibility belong in the past, willingness to accept blame and to change belongs in the future

blames others to ensure she isn't burdened with responsibility

blames others to ensure he isn't burdened with responsibility

accepting responsibility is the first step to changing your ways

ERIC: " The money's not the important thing. It's what happened to the girl and what we all did that matters"

rejects money by focussing on Eva therefore rejecting capitalism and classism

SHEILA: "now you're beginning all over again to pretend that nothing much has happened"

suggests as soon as proof of their wrongdoings,the Inspector, is out of sight, Mr and Mrs B are able to act freely and forgive themselves, suggests they are wilfully ignorant and despite the children seeing the Inspectors visit as revelatory ad life changing, MR and Mrs B see no reason to change their mindset

MR B: " the famous younger generation who think they know it all. And they can't even take a joke"

doesn't take the younger generation seriously, sees them as weak and oversensitive

Priestley suggests the generation divide can't be resolved but it's up to the younger generation to fix the mistakes of their parents to make society a better place

a motif of understanding runs throughout the play to show how incompatible the two generations are and suggests a divide exists that cannot be overcome