Gerald
- ‘Daisy knew it was coming to an end’
- He claims that the end was brought about by needing to go away on business.
However, the real reason was his friend who was returning from Canada, and who
owned the at suggested he should bring a mistress, this shows that Gerald’s idea of
bringing Eva into his at was premeditated.
- Gerald would have to pay for the at but instead he gets it for free ‘you were a
wonderful fairy prince, you must have adored it.’ This shows that Gerald exploits Eva.
It is also evident Gerald takes advantage of her ‘She’s lived very economically on what
i had allowed her’ The use of the word allowed suggests that he thinks he is superior,
evidence of patriarchal society and he ditches her suggesting he believes she is not
even worth a at that he wouldn’t have struggled to pay for due to his social status.
- Gerald is inevitably careful and correct about what he says. Mrs Birling’s admiration of
Gerald’s cleverness is echoed at the end of the play. There are many parallels like this
in the play’s construction, which link in with Priestley’s ideas on timing. Gerald echoes
Mr Birling’s concern to protect Sheila from anything ‘unpleasant’ – patronizing – view
of women Euphemism is also used in the play when characters refer to taboo
subjects, so when Mr Birling talks of Eva becoming a prostitute he talks of her going
‘on the street’ and Gerald refers to ‘women of the town’. Gerald and Sheila use irony in
their interchange when he says “You’re going to be a great help” and “I’m glad I
amuse you”. The irony highlights for us the tension between the two of them. Gerald
uses imagery of a rescue mission when describing his role in Daisy Renton’s death. He
does this to lessen his guilt and try and justify his behaviour. Gerald’s o ering Sheila
the engagement ring echoes the same event from the start of the play.
- Priestley uses the character of Gerald Croft to throw light both on the Birling parents
who are too set in their social ways to be changed by the Inspector’s visit, and on the
Birling children who are certainly very responsive to the Inspector’s message, but
possibly in a slightly naïve and hysterical way. Gerald acts as a bridge between the
two generations.
- Gerald provides a strong contrast to Eric, Mr Birling’s natural son and Priestley uses
Gerald to show the tensions between Eric and his father.
- Priestley shows that it was common for the upper class to behave so badly towards
the lower-class by having Gerald present. If the Inspector only questioned the Birling
family, Priestley wouldn’t be able to convey to the audience how widespread the
problem was. Nor would he be able to get them to inspect their own consciences
fl fl fl fl ff
- ‘Daisy knew it was coming to an end’
- He claims that the end was brought about by needing to go away on business.
However, the real reason was his friend who was returning from Canada, and who
owned the at suggested he should bring a mistress, this shows that Gerald’s idea of
bringing Eva into his at was premeditated.
- Gerald would have to pay for the at but instead he gets it for free ‘you were a
wonderful fairy prince, you must have adored it.’ This shows that Gerald exploits Eva.
It is also evident Gerald takes advantage of her ‘She’s lived very economically on what
i had allowed her’ The use of the word allowed suggests that he thinks he is superior,
evidence of patriarchal society and he ditches her suggesting he believes she is not
even worth a at that he wouldn’t have struggled to pay for due to his social status.
- Gerald is inevitably careful and correct about what he says. Mrs Birling’s admiration of
Gerald’s cleverness is echoed at the end of the play. There are many parallels like this
in the play’s construction, which link in with Priestley’s ideas on timing. Gerald echoes
Mr Birling’s concern to protect Sheila from anything ‘unpleasant’ – patronizing – view
of women Euphemism is also used in the play when characters refer to taboo
subjects, so when Mr Birling talks of Eva becoming a prostitute he talks of her going
‘on the street’ and Gerald refers to ‘women of the town’. Gerald and Sheila use irony in
their interchange when he says “You’re going to be a great help” and “I’m glad I
amuse you”. The irony highlights for us the tension between the two of them. Gerald
uses imagery of a rescue mission when describing his role in Daisy Renton’s death. He
does this to lessen his guilt and try and justify his behaviour. Gerald’s o ering Sheila
the engagement ring echoes the same event from the start of the play.
- Priestley uses the character of Gerald Croft to throw light both on the Birling parents
who are too set in their social ways to be changed by the Inspector’s visit, and on the
Birling children who are certainly very responsive to the Inspector’s message, but
possibly in a slightly naïve and hysterical way. Gerald acts as a bridge between the
two generations.
- Gerald provides a strong contrast to Eric, Mr Birling’s natural son and Priestley uses
Gerald to show the tensions between Eric and his father.
- Priestley shows that it was common for the upper class to behave so badly towards
the lower-class by having Gerald present. If the Inspector only questioned the Birling
family, Priestley wouldn’t be able to convey to the audience how widespread the
problem was. Nor would he be able to get them to inspect their own consciences
fl fl fl fl ff
