How does Priestley highlight the difference between the older generation
and younger generation?
Throughout the didactic play, Priestley uses the dichotomy between the
prejudiced older generation and the forthcoming younger generation with
different views on society and places the potential hope onto the younger
generation to change the future and learn from the inspector's message at the
end of the play.
Generation difference is a constant theme throughout Inspector calls. The
older generation are presented as naive and foolishly arrogant. Mr Birling
makes numerous claims about the future; ‘unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’,
This is dramatic irony as Priestley’s audience know that Mr Birling is wrong.
This presents Mr Birling to be the capitalist businessman represented in a
negative light. His social superior, Mrs Birling, has constant prejudice and
blame for the younger generation from the beginning of play. Her self
absorbed and denial of responsibility show the older generation to be this idea
of perfection. ‘Only herself to blame’ suggests that Mrs Birling is convinced it
is Eva’s own fault due to the pronoun ‘her’, this is ironic and hypocritical as
she was meant to help when she turned Eva awy. Seeing no responsibility for
what she has done makes an audience realise the inability to change from the
older generation. Priestley may have done this to criticise the way the older
generation believe in society and show they are too clueless to change.
and younger generation?
Throughout the didactic play, Priestley uses the dichotomy between the
prejudiced older generation and the forthcoming younger generation with
different views on society and places the potential hope onto the younger
generation to change the future and learn from the inspector's message at the
end of the play.
Generation difference is a constant theme throughout Inspector calls. The
older generation are presented as naive and foolishly arrogant. Mr Birling
makes numerous claims about the future; ‘unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’,
This is dramatic irony as Priestley’s audience know that Mr Birling is wrong.
This presents Mr Birling to be the capitalist businessman represented in a
negative light. His social superior, Mrs Birling, has constant prejudice and
blame for the younger generation from the beginning of play. Her self
absorbed and denial of responsibility show the older generation to be this idea
of perfection. ‘Only herself to blame’ suggests that Mrs Birling is convinced it
is Eva’s own fault due to the pronoun ‘her’, this is ironic and hypocritical as
she was meant to help when she turned Eva awy. Seeing no responsibility for
what she has done makes an audience realise the inability to change from the
older generation. Priestley may have done this to criticise the way the older
generation believe in society and show they are too clueless to change.
