A I C - age

Question 1

(Act 1, pg 9)

Answer 1

• He says that the younger generation have “more money to spend and time to spare than I had when I was Eric’s age,”
• suggesting he believes that the younger generation are spoilt, weaker and less worthy revealing Mr Birling’s critical, patronising view of the younger generations to the audience very early on in the play.
• The noun “boys” is infantilising and belittling, showing how he doesn’t take the younger generation seriously.

Question 2

(act 1 pg 15)

Answer 2

• ‘Look – just you keep out of it’
• older generation dismisses their views, which is patronising yet ironic - the younger generation are the future.
• Birling uses direct exclamation ‘look’ to get attention and show his disappointment.

Question 3

(Act 2, pg 31)

Answer 3

• Sheila tells her mother “Impertinent is such a silly word” which implies the Birlings’ air of superiority is false.
• Sheila criticism of her mother’s use of the adjective “impertinent” is ironic as this is the word she used to complain about Eva to Millwards (resulting in Eva getting fired).
• By criticising it now, Priestley shows how Sheila has broken free of her mother’s opinions.

Question 4

(Act 3, pg 59)

Answer 4

Sheila tells her parents ‘I’m not being. If you want to know, its you two being childish’. This implies that the younger generation breaking the limits their parents are putting on them. Priestley is highlighting the importance of changing attitudes for the newer generation.

Question 5

(Act 3, pg 64)

Answer 5

• ironic role reversal that takes place: the younger generation are more informed and willing to accept change and responsibility than the old.
• Eric ‘(bursting out) you’re beginning to pretend now that nothing’s really happened at all’.
• capacity for change/ for remorse - exposes the intransigence of their parents.

Question 6

(act 3 pg 65)

Answer 6

• ‘They’re so damned exasperating.’
• The phrase ‘damned’ shows Mr Birlings lack of respect for the younger generations revealing the older generations dismissive attitude to those different or inferior to him in any way.

Question 7

essay plan

Answer 7

Mr Birling’s view on younger generations

• (Act 1, pg 9) “more money to spend and time to spare than I had when I was Eric’s age,”
• (act 1 pg 15) ‘Look – just you keep out of it’

Sheila’s view on older generations

• (Act 2, pg 31) Impertinent is such a silly word”
• (Act 3, pg 59)’I’m not being. If you want to know, its you two being childish’

Aftermath and conflict between generations

• (Act 3, pg 64) Eric ‘(bursting out) you’re beginning to pretend now that nothing’s really happened at all’.
• (act 3 pg 65) ‘They’re so damned exasperating.’