An Inspector Calls Generation Gap

Shahd Alnaji
Ms. Kretschmar
English II, Period 9
3 December 2014 Theme: Generation Gap
J.B. Priestley demonstrates the differences in attitude of the younger generation and older generation by presenting them with the same problems and seeing how their reactions differ from each other. We see that the younger generation, overall, is more open­minded and honest in regards to the death of Eva Smith, while the older generation is resistant and very certain in their own ways.
Mrs. Birling is critical to the girls of the younger generation. “What an expression,
Sheila! Really, the things you girls pick up these days!” Mrs. Birling looks down on the younger generation and categorizes them all into a group that she believed to be illogical, and continues on by criticizing them. Mr. Birling has much confidence in himself which explains why he is very set in his ways. “Just let me finish, Eric. You’ve a lot to learn yet.” Taking Eric’s youth into consideration, Birling refuses to listen and thinks of Eric as incorrect and foolish. These are just two examples of how the older generation is extremely set in their way and how overconfident

they are. Because of these attributes, they always believe themselves to be right, which in turn causes them to see the younger generation as foolish.
The older generation will also do anything to protect themselves and be on the safe side, which could include lying or using selective truths to come off as innocent. “Yes, the girl had been causing trouble in the works. I was quite justified,” Birling attempts to throw the blame on
Eva Smith and tries to justify himself so he seems blameless. on the other hand eric refuses to cover up his mistake and takes all blame and responsibility for it “the fact remains that i did what i did” says Eric.
The two generations’ reactions differ when the inspector tells the details on the suicide of Eva Smith’s suicide, and that reveals the differences in their attitudes. Mr. Birling seems uninterested and lacks sympathy when he’s appealed to the news. “Yes, yes horrible business” ,
“But i don’t understand why you should come here inspector?” says Mr. Birling, which demonstrates his carelessness of the lower social class and his selfishness. Mr. Birling represents the older generation in the play by his reactions. Eric and Sheila represent the younger generation in the play as well, though they react in a completely different manner. The news surprises, and shocks them, but they show understandingness, and interest to know more about it at the same time. “My god!” says Eric, which proves that Eric was terrified to be appealed to the news, and the exclamation mark confirms. Sheila asks “was it an accident?” And that also proves that she has interest to know more about the suicide of Eva Smith. Eric also does not show annoyance when the inspector refuses to show him the picture of Eva and that confirms Eric’s understandingness. The difference of the attitudes between the two generations also appears when Gerald

confirms that inspector Goole does not exist. “I was the only one of you who didn’t give in to him.” says Mrs. Birling, and Mr. Birling replies saying “you are absolutely right, my dear.” Mr. and Mrs. Birling act as if they knew that the inspector was not a real inspector the whole time, rather than learn something from the lesson that has just been taught to them. Sheila says “You began to learn something and now you have stopped. you are ready to go on the same old way.” and Eric says “you are beginning to pretend now that nothing has really happened at all.” and that demonstrates that Sheila and Eric are strongly against their parents’ reaction. Eric says “I can’t see it like that. This girl is still dead, isn’t she? Nobody’s brought her back to life, have they?” and Sheila replies saying “That is just what i feel, Eric.” which reveals that Eric and
Sheila feel indifferent after knowing the inspector was not real; they do not react excitedly.
Whether the inspector was a real inspector or not, there was still a significant reason behind this lesson that they will never forget.
In conclusion, the younger generation in An Inspector Calls has more open mindedness, sympathy, and understanding than the older generation. Even though that was not their point of view at the first act of the play, but they eventually realize their faults and regret them. Unlike the older generation; whose close minded, lack of sympathy, cause them to deny their responsibilities; and not regret or learn anything after the inspector’s visit.