Generations old v young

Question 1

how is the Birling family split into generations

Answer 1

there is a misunderstanding and conflict between 2 generations parents and children

Question 2

how does generation influence the characters relationships

Answer 2

1 their life experiences and the era in which they grew up effects their morals and politcal view
2 Sheila is an example of how the younger generation is presented as being moor open minded and willing to change and learn

Question 3

How do we see the difference between the generations

Answer 3

in the way the children react to the inspectors visit and how their parents react

Question 4

why does Gerald stand out

Answer 4

1 as although he would be from the younger generation becasue his family are older and landed he sympathises with the older generation

Question 5

context

Answer 5

1 in 1945 generations were divided in 3 ways
those who fought in either ww1 or ww2
those to young to fight and those to old to fight

2 those who knew life before war and those who only knew life with war - lost generation
3 Priestly was part of this generation.
4 Sheila and Eric too - they found everyday life materialistic and meaningless.

Question 6

how does Priestly present older generation

Answer 6

being stuck in their old ways used to their comforts refuse to accept responsibility and only care for themselves

Question 7

how does he present the younger generation

Answer 7

curious and compassionate quick to put right their ignorance -
2 he suggests the younger generation should learn from the mistakes of their elders in order to create a more peaceful modern Britain

Question 8

what is the family like at the start of the play when do they change and why

Answer 8

1 beginning the family appear to put on a united front - they all have the same place in society
2 The arrival of the inspector splits the family down the generational line - mimics the impact WW s had on society

Question 9

how do Eric and Sheila change

Answer 9

1 they start with an immature desire to follow their parents but end with a mature understanding of the world
2 older generation prepare to continue the same
Gerald even offers Sheila back her ring as though he had never cheated
3 Sheila goes from being ignorant to learning a lesson and forming her own opinions even confronts her parents “it frightens me how you talk I can’t listen to it anymore”

Question 10

what doe the ending indicate

Answer 10

1 the play ends how it starts, family gathering interrupted by a phone call to say an inspector is coming.
2 At first this suggests nothing has changed but the audience know the family has changed and divided - eludes to the 2 wars history will keep repeating until people learn

Question 11

what does Mr Birling symbolise -

Answer 11

1 symbol of older generations power and influence in society - he has made his money unlike Mrs Birling and Gerald’s families he is pleased with his accomplishments
2 He gets angry when critisised and challenged
3 He believes his life experiences make him wise so he thinks younger generation them foolish and niave

Question 12

how does Birling consider himself

Answer 12

as a teacher to the younger generations becasue of his age and experience “now you three listen to me and remember what I am telling you” shows how seriously he takes his own advice

Question 13

what is the purpose of Mrs Birling

Answer 13

1 to show the older generations resistence to change
2 she is very traditional and is not sorry for her prejudice
3 she is obsessed with manners appearance and social etiquette” Arther you are not supposed to say such things “ shows how anxious she is about seeming respectable.
4 She reacts to Sheila using slang “squiffy” suggesting she disapproves of modern culture

Question 14

what do Sheila and Eric represent

Answer 14

1 changing face of British society - roughly the same age as Priestly was when play was set so he can relate
2 At the start they are their parents mouth pieces but become independent thinkers and accept responsibility for their actions and try to encourage others to do the same
4 Priestly shows how younger generations are capable of starting a revolution

Question 15

how are they presented

Answer 15

1 as empathetic and compassionate
2 showing the audience younger generations are more capable of taking care of others

Question 16

how is \eric used

Answer 16

1 to show how the younger generation suffer because of the pressure put upon them by their elders -
2 Eric had not met his fathers expectations - not married - he uses this to justify why he slept with Eva “I’m old enough to be married aren’t i and I’m not married”

Question 17

how does eric change

Answer 17

1 at the start of the inspectors visit Eric agrees with his father and to impress him
2 His opinions are not his own.
3 when the inspector leaves he critises his fathers speech suggesting the younger generation has the ability to think for themselves

Question 18

what is sheila like

Answer 18

“i behaved badly too I know I did I’m ashamed of it” admits and learns from her mistakes and identifies lessons other characters need to learn

Question 19

What is Sheila’s relationship with her parents

Answer 19

1 as play moves on she becomes more vocal to her parents she is not afraid to point out their snobbery and denial
2 like Eric she questions her fathers actions she thinks her father decision to sack Eva was “a mean thing to do” - portray her as sympathetic and well meaning
3 Priestly uses her good judgement to point out and expose the mistakes of the older generations

Question 20

how is there tension between the generations

Answer 20

1 the parents insult their children they think they have it “easier “ Mr Birling perhaps resenting Eric having the lifestyle he didnt have growing up.
2 In the opening monologue Mr Birling dominates the opening scene - yet Eric tries to debate about the likelihood of war and his opinion is dismissed

3 On another occasion Mrs Birling commands Sheila “ please do not contradict me like that” to ban her disagreeing with her

4 These are examples of how the Birlings react to their children’s protests how the older generation want to stay in control.

Question 21

which scene really emphasises the generation divide

Answer 21

final scene -
1 the 2 generations turn on one another.
2 2 options face the family either change their ways or continue as they are.
3 children choose the first, the parents the later. This divide suggests the beliefs of the parents belong in the past children’s in the future

Question 22

what does the characters reactions once the inspector leaves reveal about the future family dynamics

Answer 22

1 both parents point the finger at someone else - ensuring they are not burdened with any responsibility and shows the audience they have learnt nothing - they are the same as they were at the start. Priestly presents the older generation as being stuck in their ways

2 Eric and Sheila are able to identify the shared guilt. Shows how accepting responsibility is the first step to changing suggesting younger generation are capable of improving society.

Question 23

how does Sheila differ from her parents

Answer 23

1 refers to Eva as a person unlike her father “but these girls aren’t cheap labour-they’re people” she is more compassionate
2 Mr Birling directly contrasts his beliefs are set in stone, unwilling to listen to anyone “There will be a public scandal” he does not seem affected by the consequences of his actions on - focuses on his knighthood and bad publicity

3 The older generations lack the ability to learn from mistakes Sheila and Eric - the younger generation question their actions

Question 24

how do the older Birlings treat Sheila and Eric

Answer 24

1 like children even though they are grown ups
2 Sheila is repeatidly told to leave the room by her parents - they don’t think a young woman should hear the grim story