Older generation vs younger generation/Mr Birling

Question 1

“Why you hysterical young fool – get back – or I’ll – “

Answer 1

Here Priestley uses ​irony​ to further create a dislikeable perception of Mr Birling, who insults and threatens violence towards his own child. Therefore, it is clear that it is in fact Mr Birling who is ​“hysterical”​.

Question 2

“now look at the pair of them – the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke”

Answer 2

The use of the ​noun​ ​“joke”​ is significant as it is ironic​. It occurs just before the phone rings and a ‘real’ inspector calls on the telephone. Also, trivialising Eva Smith’s suffering as a ​“​joke​”​ emphasises the static character of Mr Birling.