The generation gap in smoke screens                       

A generational gap is different views and opinions between one generation and another. It is actually the differences in opinions regarding beliefs, values, and politics. The generational gap in a modern way refers to a perceived gap between younger people and their parents or grandparents regarding beliefs, values, and politics. Many writers have demonstrated a generation gap in their literary work. Similarly, Brighouse, in her play smoke screens, has portrayed the generation gap. So, let's see how she presented the generation gap in smoke screens play in the below section:

The Primrose, the central character of the play, is a beautiful and attractive young girl. She is twenty years old and has revolutionary and liberal ideas about life. She likes the company of boyfriends and wants to go out in a fashionable dress with full make-up and She seems to be very foolish but in reality, she is mature. Her approach to life is totally different from her mother and in her views, sincerity plays a vital role in a successful married life. As primrose states her idea about marriage which is different from her mother and aunt Susan primrose; “I’ve been forced to give a lot of thought lately to the subject of marriage. I don’t mind telling you I think marriage is a jolly fine institution.” (Brighouse, 1932)

Susan is an elder sister of Lucy. Susan is happy with her husband and her children. She has orthodontically ideas about modernism. She does not like Primrose and her modern activities because she is conservative and believes in traditionalism. Susan said to Lucy: My dear if a young girl’s as rude to her aunt as primrose was to me you can’t blame the aunt for feeling sore. This represents the rudeness of the modern generation and this is how they behave with their elders.

Lucy is forty years old liberal-minded woman. She does not want to guide her daughter primrose about her independent activities and the affairs of life. Lucy thinks that life should be spent independently without any restrictions. “Lucy replied to Susan: you have got to recognize, Susan, that they don’t go in for being mannerly today. Each generation has its---its techniques and this present lot pretends to be a generation of flinty-hearted gold-diggers.” (Brighouse, 1932)

Lucy enters upon the reactionary manners of the modern generation and compares It with the old one and tells that the new generation wants freedom of movement and expression. This is the age of individualism and the intervention of elders in their affairs annoys them. Lucy said to Susan; “Honestly, Susan, I don’t know if primrose is a mess, or just a nice kid with a hard-modern face.” (Brighouse, 1932)

Susan informs the mother of primrose that her failure to control primrose has robbed her of her civvy street manners. Susan suggests Lucy make a will about her wealth, according to which all the money would be do noted to an international peace society.

So, finally, we can say that the story of the play Smoke Screens depicts the moral degeneration of the Victorian age. The writer successfully has depicted differences in the way of living, opinions, and beliefs of Victorian age people. The main characters like primrose, Lucy, and Susan, and their dialogues show conservative, liberal, and progressive attitudes.