THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS: SYMPATHY AND GUILT
‘You see, we have to share something. If there’s nothing else, we’ll have to share
our guilt.’ (page 29)
Divisions start to appear, very early on, on the issue of sympathy. When the
Inspector gives details of Eva Smith’s suicide, each character reacts very differently.
‘ ... she was in great agony. They did everything they could for her at the
Infirmary, but she died. Suicide, of course.’ (page 11)
BIRLING
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GERALD
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ERIC
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SHEILA
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MRS BIRLING
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THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS: EVA SMITH AS AN EMPLOYEE
‘But after all it’s better to ask for the earth than to take it.’ (page 15)
Birling describes Eva Smith as an employee, the strike and his treatment of her.
Gerald allies himself firmly with Birling whereas Eric and Sheila, proving the
differences in attitude and opinion between the generations, are more ready to
question and accuse their father of wrongdoing. Find at least three examples for
each character that illustrate the different reactions to Birling’s confession.
BIRLING
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GERALD
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ERIC
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SHEILA
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MRS BIRLING
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THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS: ATTITUDE TO BUSINESS AND
PROFITS
‘Why did you refuse?’ (page 14)
The Inspector questions Birling, challenging his refusal to award a pay rise.
Differences of opinion appear again.
BIRLING
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GERALD
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ERIC
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SHEILA
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MRS BIRLING
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THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS: EVA SMITH AT MILWARDS
‘And so you used the power you had, as a daughter of a good
customer and also a man well known in the town, to punish the girl
…’’ (page 24)
Of all of the characters’ involvement with Eva Smith, Sheila’s could be
considered the most inexcusable; she had the girl sacked because she was in
a ‘furious temper’ and because of a petty jealousy – Eva Smith was prettier
than Sheila. How do the characters react?
BIRLING
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GERALD
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ERIC
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SHEILA
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MRS BIRLING
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THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS: EVA SMITH AS MISTRESS
‘And then you decided to keep her – as your mistress?’ (pg 36)
When Gerald’s affair with Eva Smith is revealed, the characters react very differently.
Some try to understand Gerald’s motives and explanations, others don’t. Find the
proof.
BIRLING
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GERALD
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ERIC
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SHEILA
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MRS BIRLING
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THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS: EVA SMITH’S PLEA FOR CHARITY
‘She came to you for help, at a time when no woman could have
needed it more. And you not only refused it yourself but saw to it
that the others refused it too.’ (page 45)
Mrs. Birling’s sense of propriety, her status and position, and her contempt for
the working class guide her dealings with Eva Smith. How do the characters
react?
BIRLING
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GERALD
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ERIC
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SHEILA
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MRS BIRLING
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THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS: EVA SMITH – A VICTIM OF RAPE
‘Just used her for the end of a stupid drunken evening, as if she was
an animal, a thing, not a person.’ (page 56)
Though, because he was overly drunk, he cannot remember all of the details, Eric
confesses to forcing himself upon Eva Smith. When he learns of her pregnancy, he
gives her money that he has stolen from his father’s business. Which of these facts
causes most concern?
BIRLING
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GERALD
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ERIC
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SHEILA
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MRS BIRLING
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THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS: EVA SMITH – A YOUNG WOMAN
‘She was a woman.’ (page 37)
The Birlings and Gerald Croft describe their involvement with Eva Smith and,
in doing so, reveal aspects of her character (class, gender, personality,
appearance) which guided their treatment of her.
BIRLING
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GERALD
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ERIC
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SHEILA
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MRS BIRLING
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THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS: A COVER UP?
‘It doesn’t much matter now, of course – but was he really a police
inspector?’ (page 58)
The family confirms that there is no Inspector Goole. Reactions to this fact
are very different. Who says what?
BIRLING
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GERALD
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ERIC
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SHEILA
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MRS BIRLING
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THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS: SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY
‘We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are
responsible for each other.’ (page 56)
As a group, the characters confirm the Inspector’s idea of a ‘chain of events’.
Though their treatment of Eva Smith varied greatly, and was based on very
different motives, every character in the play used their status and power in
their dealings with Eva Smith. Do they accept responsibility for their actions
and involvement?
BIRLING
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GERALD
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ERIC
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SHEILA
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MRS BIRLING
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THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS: THE INSPECTOR
‘It’s the way I like to work. One person and one line of inquiry at a
time.’ (page 12)
Each of the characters react differently to both the personality and
techniques of the Inspector. Find quotes which illustrate their different
responses and their different levels of understanding.
BIRLING
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GERALD
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ERIC
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SHEILA
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MRS BIRLING
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