Generational Differences

Question 1

Generations Start

Answer 1

1. “Now you three young people, just listen to this”

Imperative + Direct address suggests he is serious about his advice and is passing his experience on to the next enervation in order to keep things the same way. Birling calmly demands for them to listen, suggesting he upholds traditional values of the young revering and respecting the old.

2. “To that I say — fiddlesticks!”
   “I say there isn’t a chance of war”

Arrogance by using personal pronouns but also dramatic irony. Priestley does this to communicate the foolishness of the older generation, who think they know it all.

3. “a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own”

Capitalistic viewpoint through the personal possessive pronouns his and own. Birling is passing on this knowledge to the younger generation, trying to keep things the way they are.

Question 2

Generations Middle

Answer 2

1. “ impertinent is such a silly word”

Implies classism is silly and outdated, and social hierarchy should b overruled. Also suggests that Mrs. B is criticised as the younger generation sees entitled behaviour as silly and absurd.

2. ” I don’t know what you’re talking about”
   “I don’t understand you”

Repetition of “don’t” suggests Mrs Birling is refusing to understand Sheila, and her rebellious nature in return to the arrogance and ignorance of the older generation.

Question 3

Generations End

Answer 3

1 . “Hysterical young fool”

A lack of understanding and empathy between father and son leads to such distancing, with the role of the father as being a large manly presence perhaps hindering the family dynamic. (Not cozy and homelike). Hysterical not only emasculates Eric, but hysterical suggests the new generation is crazy.

2. “(Triumphantly) Didn’t I tell you?” “I was the only one”

Adverb suggests quick dismissal and saving face and reputation. Arrogant tone with direct address suggests that she believes that it is silly and absurd to believe such stories, which she had believed and are true. Insistance of the older generation on not being seen as weak or incorrect.

3. ‘The famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke.’

Comical tone plus generational mocking and divide. Joke is a very morbid interpretation of the past events, very sick.