AGE/GENERATIONS (theme)

Question 1

• Sheila begins to challenge the values and views of her parents.
  .
• The younger generation can show the empathy needed to create a better, more moral society.

Answer 1

“But these people aren’t cheap labour,
they’re people” -Sheila (Act 1)

Question 2

• Mrs Birling allows her husband to take the lead but still shows dominance over the young.
  .
• Young people were expected to respect and obey their elders.

Answer 2

“Please don’t contradict me like that” -Mrs Birling (Act 2)

Question 3

• Eric and Sheila take responsibility and show the initiative to change and refuse to try to cover up what they’ve done
• (In contrast to the older gen)

Answer 3

“The fact remains i did what i did” -Eric (Act 1)

Question 4

• Shows that the older gen are treating the situation as a joke - compared to the younger gen who see how serious it is.

.

• ‘who know it all’ Ironic- because its the older gen who think that way

Answer 4

“The famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke” -Mr Birling (Act 3)

Question 5

• Only worried about the effect on their reputation not what they actually did.

–> Implies the older generation only care about how they are percieved rather than focusing on fixing what they are actually like.

Answer 5

“There’ll be a public scandal!” - Mr Birling ( Act 3)

Question 6

• Mr Birling turns on his son Eric and nearly attacks him physically.
  .
• He implies here that Eric is a ‘fool’ because he is young.
  –> Ironically, it is the father (older) who nearly resorts to physical violence.

Answer 6

“Why, you hysterical young fool - get back - or I’ll -“ -Mr Birling

talking to Eric

Question 7

• Mrs Birling’s language mimics Mr Birling who used the same adjective when discussing Eva’s death.
  .
• They both hold the same insensitive view of why she ended her life –> showing the older generations has collective equally ignorant veiws.

Answer 7

“Wreched business” -Mrs Birling