An Inspector Calls Key Theme: Generational Divide (AQA GCSE English Literature): Revision Note

Generational divide timeline

The themes of generational divide in each act of An Inspector Calls:

What are the elements of generational divide in An Inspector Calls?

Generational divide is presented in An Inspector Calls in the following ways:

• Mr Birling is shown to be incorrect about his predictions for his children’s future, making us question the wisdom and attitudes of the older generation that he represents

• Sheila and Eric, the younger generation, openly challenge their parents’ views on social responsibility, and are shown to be far more receptive to Inspector Goole’s socialist message

• Gerald Croft initially seems to accept the Inspector’s message, but later sides with the irresponsible and ignorant older generation

• Priestley shows that the younger members of the Birling family are capable of taking responsibility for their actions; they learn to care about the vulnerable members of society who have been exploited by greedy capitalists

The impact of generational divide on characters

Priestley initially presents the younger generation as receptive to the views of the older generation: Sheila and Eric both listen dutifully to Mr Birling’s capitalist speech about the dangers of socialism and the importance of looking after oneself. However, as the Inspector reveals the consequences of the family’s behaviour towards Eva Smith, the younger Birlings begin to question and challenge their parents’ selfish attitudes. By Act 3, Sheila and Eric understand the importance of social responsibility, while the older Birlings and Gerald refuse to accept the Inspector’s message. The representatives of the older generation are punished for their self-interest by the phone call from the police that ends the play:

Why does Priestley use the theme of generational divide in his play?

1. Setting and period

• Priestley presents the ignorant attitudes of Mr Birling’s generation in order to emphasise to his 1945 audience how society has developed since 1912

• Priestley redeems the characters of Eric and Sheila to suggest that their generation is capable of learning difficult lessons and enacting positive social change

2. Political commentary

• Priestley’s depiction of pre-war values (including unregulated capitalist greed and an absence of social care) confronts his audience with the awful consequences of patriarchal traditions

• Inspector Goole emphasises that “the young ones” are more receptive to the socialism and progressive movements that emerged after the Second World War

3. Audience appeal

• Priestley’s 1945 audience were members of a more progressive and responsible generation:

  • Sheila and Eric are therefore effective as audience surrogates  in the play — their newfound morals and sense of responsibility represent the values of a post-war audience

Exam-style questions on the themes of generational divide

Try planning a response to the following essay questions as part of your revision of generational divide:

• Explore how Priestley presents the conflict between the older generation and the younger generation in An Inspector Calls.

• How does Priestley use Sheila Birling to represent the younger generation in An Inspector Calls?