Exam Questions and Key Themes

You've got two cracking essay options to choose from in your exam. The first focuses on Eric's character development and how he learns harsh truths about society - think about his drinking problems, poor parenting he receives, and how he objectifies Eva Smith initially.

The second question tackles the generational divide between characters like Sheila and Eric versus their parents. You'll need to explore how Priestley shows younger characters as more impressionable and capable of change, whilst the older generation remains stubbornly capitalist.

Top Tip: Choose the question that lets you showcase the most quotes and character analysis - don't just pick the one that seems easier!

Both questions want you to analyse what characters say and do, plus how Priestley presents them through his writing techniques. Remember, you're aiming for 30 marks plus 4 for spelling and grammar.

The Generational Divide Begins

Picture this: the Birling family are having a nice dinner when Inspector Goole arrives with shocking news about Eva Smith's suicide. Priestley deliberately set this play in 1912 but wrote it in 1945, creating dramatic irony about the two world wars to come.

Sheila and Eric - the younger generation - react with genuine horror. Sheila naively asks if Eva's death was an accident, whilst Eric exclaims "My God!" Their shock reveals they've been shielded from the harsh realities of their social class's impact on working people.

This contrasts sharply with their parents, who immediately worry about their reputation rather than showing sympathy. The younger characters display genuine concern for Eva Smith, suggesting they haven't yet become hardened by years of capitalist thinking.

Key Point: The younger generation's initial shock shows they still have consciences that can be awakened, unlike their parents who've become desensitised to others' suffering.

John Locke's Influence on Character Development

Here's where it gets philosophical! Priestley draws on John Locke's theory that humans aren't born evil - we're shaped by our experiences and role models. This means the younger generation can still change their perspectives when given the chance.

The older generation tries to dismiss the Inspector's accusations to protect their social status. They continuously disregard his claims, creating a disturbing sense that they simply don't care about Eva's death.

Meanwhile, Sheila and Eric begin questioning everything they've been taught. Their impressionable nature becomes their strength rather than weakness, allowing them to develop empathy and social consciousness.

Remember: Priestley uses this contrast to target his bourgeois audience, showing them a mirror of their own attitudes and challenging them to change.

The older characters are guilty of indoctrinating their children with rigid social constructs, but the Inspector offers an alternative worldview.

Character Transformations

Watch how dramatically Sheila and Eric evolve throughout the play! Initially, they're presented as naive children, completely shielded from reality and parroting their parents' views without question.

Eric's transformation becomes particularly powerful when he rebukes his mother, declaring "I'm ashamed of you too - both of you." This quote shows him proudly standing up for his newfound beliefs, refusing to be silenced any longer.

Sheila's journey is equally striking. She starts as a stereotypical obedient woman, using childish language like "mummy" and acting immature. However, she develops into an independent individual who isn't afraid to challenge others.

Character Analysis: Notice how Sheila adopts the Inspector's voice in his absence, asking Gerald probing questions with a condescending tone that would've been unthinkable for her earlier character.

By the play's end, both young characters have become confident, lucid individuals who've rejected their inherited capitalist values.

The Inspector's Role as Catalyst

Inspector Goole serves as Priestley's mouthpiece, representing socialist values and offering the younger generation an alternative way of thinking. He demonstrates that staying in a rigid mindset isn't inevitable.

The impressionable nature of youth becomes crucial here. Whilst adults resist change, Sheila and Eric readily absorb the Inspector's teachings about social responsibility and collective care.

Priestley's message becomes clear: instead of maintaining harmful social divisions, we should strive to view life from fresh perspectives. The Inspector shows that change is possible when people are willing to accept responsibility for their actions.

Authorial Intent: Priestley uses the Inspector to argue that if everyone adopted this caring mindset, every "Eva Smith and John Smith" would be protected from exploitation.

The younger generation's increased level of sympathy towards the working class demonstrates how society could improve if people genuinely cared for one another.

Consequences and Cyclical Time

Here's where things get really interesting! At the play's end, Sheila and Eric reflect on the Inspector's words whilst their parents worry about protecting their reputation. Mr Birling dismisses Goole as a "crank" for revealing uncomfortable truths.

The younger characters find it easier to accept responsibility and take blame for their actions. Eric tells his parents "It frightens me too," showing how the Inspector's message has genuinely impacted him.

Priestley's time theory becomes crucial here - the only way to escape repeating harmful cycles is to learn from mistakes. Unfortunately, even though Sheila and Eric have learned, they must still face consequences of the older generation's ignorance.

Historical Context: Remember, this connects to 1945 when the play was written - the older generation's decisions about war affect the young who must fight in it.

The cyclical structure suggests that without real change, society will keep repeating the same harmful patterns.

War, Irony, and Final Lessons

Priestley creates devastating dramatic irony through Mr Birling's confident predictions that "the Germans don't want war" and that conflict will never happen. Eric questions this, asking "what about war?" - showing his more educated, questioning outlook.

This irony cuts deep because war does occur due to older generation decisions, but it's the younger generation who must fight and die. Eric represents all young men forced to pay for their elders' mistakes.

The motivation for change becomes urgent when innocent people suffer for others' ignorance. Priestley argues that older generations must transform their thinking to prevent the young from bearing the consequences of outdated attitudes.

Exam Focus: This historical context strengthens any argument about generational responsibility and the need for social change.

Ultimately, Priestley's message remains hopeful - society can run smoothly if everyone genuinely cares for one another, but only if we're willing to learn from our mistakes and break harmful cycles.