This essay explores the dichotomy of the younger and older generation, and the contrast in character change between the young Birlings and old Birlings as the play progresses. This essay was marked as grade 9, and was written for the Eduqas exam baord but can be adapted for any.
Introduction:
An...
You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this question.
You should use the extract below and your knowledge of the whole play to answer this question.
Write about how Priestley presents the younger and older generation in An Inspector Calls.
In your response you should:
refer to the extract and the play as a whole;
show your understanding of characters and events in the play.[40]
5 of this question’s marks are allocated for accuracy in spelling, punctuation and the use of
vocabulary and sentence structures
An Inspector Calls was written by J.B Priestley in 1945, based in the Industrial city
of Brumley in 1912. Priestley presents the stark contrast between the older and
younger generation, conveying his beliefs that the older generation were more
obdurate, and unable to accept responsibility than the younger generation,
unlike the open-minded younger generation. He demonstrates their difference
through their reactions to the death of Eva – Mrs Birling, Birling unwilling to
accept responsibility, and Sheila and Eric who do.
At the beginning of the play, Priestley successfully presents the difference
between the older and younger generation through Sheila’s relationship with her
mother. Mrs Birling comments: ‘What an expression Sheila! Really, the things
you girls pick up these days.’ This shows how Mrs Birling believes her children
should only speak in a manner suited to their class, and disapproves of anything
otherwise. The noun phrase ‘these days’ further demonstrates the different
upbringing Mrs Birling had to Sheila, and almost her condescension towards the
younger generation and her wish to control her daughter. This depicts the
traditional, controlling manner of the older generation, further presented through
the line: ‘You’ll have to get used to that just as I had.’ This skilfully captures the
traditional views of the older generation, and Mrs Birlings acceptance of the roles
and submission women were inclined towards in society. The dismissive phrase
‘get used to that’ illustrates her lack of care to her daughters well-being and how
she forces her opinion on Sheila, who bluntly disagrees: ‘I don’t believe I will.’
This presents the assertive nature of the younger generation, as Sheila refuses
to settle for inequality in her marriage with Gerald. Furthermore, this reflects one
of Priestley’s views that the younger generation had the ability to reform society
as they were unwilling to accept the traditions of the Edwardian Era, shown
through Sheila’s rejections of the older generations resignation to gender
stereotypes.
Priestley effectively presents the ignorance and complacency of the older
generation through Birling’s speech. He comments that: ‘There isn’t a chance of
war… and unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.’ The adverb ‘chance’ portrays Mr
Birlings arrogance, as he disregards all other points of view. This evokes a deep
antipathy in the audience towards Birling as they are aware of both wars that
took place, Priestley using dramatic irony to presents the foolishness and
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