Age

Symbolic meaning

• Young- Eric, Sheila

• Old- Mr and Mrs Birling

• Gerald is young but aligns with older characters- due to power and status

• Suggests power and class outranks age in determining behaviour

Context/ message

• Priestley presents the change in Sheila and Eric to reflect how society has become less classist due to WW1

• The poor social conscience and awareness of people in 1912 has been replaced by hope

Sheila

• ‘But these people aren’t cheap labour, they’re people’

  • Begins to challenge her parents views and values

  • Shows the younger gen can show empathy needed to create a better, more moral society

Mrs Birling

• ‘Please don’t contradict me like that’

  • Mrs Birling allows her husband to take the lead but still shows dominance over the young

  • Young people were expected to respect and obey

Eric

• ‘You’re beginning to pretend now that nothing’s really happened at all. And I can’t see it like that’

  • Growing distance between generations

  • Wants to face the truth

Sheila

• ‘You’re ready to go on in the same old way… it frightens me the way you talk

  • Reflects the change and hope the children represent

  • Social conscience and are prepared to challenge behaviour