Generational Gap

Question 1

In the morning they will be as amused as we are

Answer 1

The older generations do not see reason to change as there were no consequences but the younger generation accepts responsibility even though they were not held accountable.

Question 2

We often do on the young ones. They’re more impressionable

Answer 2

The inspector is the voice of Priestley and he is saying that there is hope as the young ones are more impressionable to a socialist future.

Question 3

She didn’t blame me at all, I wish to God she had now

Answer 3

Gerald is a bridge between the younger and older generations as he had the potential to change but in the end he didn’t.

Question 4

Now look at the pair of them - the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke

Answer 4

This ironic quote shows that the younger generation have accepted responsibility while the parents are not taking it seriously at all, emphasising the gap

Question 5

You began to learn something. And now you’ve stopped… it frightens me the way you talk, and I can’t listen to any more of it

Answer 5

Similarly, this quote conveys the stark differences in attitudes toward responsibility. Sheila has changed from a naive character to an assertive woman who accepts blame, unlike her parents.

Question 6

Now you three young people, just listen to this.. by the time you’ll be living in a world that’ll have forgotten all these Capital versus Labour agitators and these silly little war scares

Answer 6

This is a great example of Mr Birling’s arrogance - he’s older and thinks he knows best. However, the audience at the time knew that the labour and war scares were very real and would lead to decades of death and disaster

Question 7

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

Answer 7

Mr Birling implies that Eric is a ‘fool’ because he is young. Ironically, it is the older Birling who nearly resorts to physical violence.

Question 8

Please be quiet Sheila.

Answer 8

Mrs Birling finds Sheila’s views unimportant and is convinced that she is right only because she is older. She is also very concerned about the family’s reputation being why she attempts to shut Sheila up.

Question 9

You seem to have made great impression on this child, Inspector

Answer 9

She often refers to Sheila as ‘child’ showing the generational gap and how the old adheres to stereotypes whilst the young ignores them