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The Generation Divide - Young vs Old - Coggle Diagram
The Generation Divide - Young vs Old
Older Generation
Mr Birling
character has cyclical structure
doesn't undergo any transformation
all he cares about is being rewarded
symbol of the older generations power and influence in society
resistant to anyone who challenges hos opinions or authority
believes he's wise and infallible
denounces socialism
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
blames others to ensure he isn't burdened with responsibility
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
unrepentant about her prejudices
obsessed with appearances, manners and social etiquette
prioritises social conduct over genuine interaction
sees the worst in people and villainises them
blames others to ensure she isn't burdened with responsibility
stuck in their ways and narrow minded
incredible levels of delusion
refuse to be self aware
morality and integrity are meaningless
resistant to criticism
see younger generation as naive and foolish
struggled to accept changes in modern life
focused on privacy and self preservation
deliberately ignorant and obstinate
blinded by their intolerance
incapable of respecting the younger generations
Younger Generation
curious and compassionate
quick to rectify their ignorance
Sheila
Undergoes a character arc
immature desire to follow parents at beginning
gains a mature understanding of the real world
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
tries to stop the cycle of mistakes
Eric
undergoes a character arc
immature desire to follow parents at beginning
gains a mature understanding of the real world
willing to challenge the decisions his father makes
perceived and weaker and less worthy by older generations
infantilised
quickly break free and think independently
suffer under the pressure placed on them by their elders
ability to go against tradition and change the future
Quotes
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"
dramatic irony expresses how deluded the ego of the older generations was
MR B: "I don't want to lecture you two young fellows again"
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
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
MRS B: "girls of that class", "girls of that sort"
refuses to trust Eva, even with the evidence right in front of her
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
ERIC: "Why shouldn't they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices"
recognises the capitalist system is selfish and exploitive
SHEILA: "But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people"
explicitly goes against capitalist ideas therefore explicitly opposing her father
SHEILA: "you'll see"
ominous refrain, implies Sheila is desperate for her parents to have their lies and pretences broken down
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
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
Messages
the younger generation are the hope for the future
your life experiences and era you grow up in affect your morals and political identity
the younger generation are capable of starting a revolution
uses Sheila and Eric to expose the ridiculousness of the older generations facades
younger generations are able to identify the injustices committed by their elders and rectify them
selfishness and denial of responsibility belong in the past, willingness to accept blame and to change belongs in the future
accepting responsibility is the first step to changing your ways
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