Gerald

How does Priestley use Gerald? (tool)

He is Priestley's tool to reveal the flaws of the upper classes

Who does Gerald represent?

He represents the aristocracy who in 1912 exploited the working class - especially working class women like Eva Smith

How does Gerald appear to be for a moment and what does it provide? (2)

- He appears to be sorry for his behaviour towards Eva \- - This provides hope that the upper class can change and embrace Priestley's message of social responsibility

What does Gerald do at the end of the play - how does Priestley use this? (2)

- He once again aligns himself with Mr Birlings capitalist ideas
- Reinforces Priestley's view that the upper class will be self-interested and never change

How is Gerald described in the introductory stage directions? (quote)

"easy, well-bred young man-about-town"

What kind of phrase is "easy, well-bred, young" and what does it establish about the character Gerald?

- It is a tripartite phrase
- It establishes him as a member of the privileged elite class - used to a life of pleasure

What can be said about the word "young" in the quote "easy, well-bred young man-about-town"? What 2 things may it suggest? (3)

- It is surprising that the word "young" is used as he described as "an attractive chap about thirty"
- Priestley may be suggesting that his attitude to life is immature and thoughtless: foreshadows his irresponsible behaviour towards Eva and Sheila
- Also, it raises false hope that he will learn from his mistake like the younger Birlings - Shelia and Eric

What does the phrase "man-about-town" in the quote "easy, well-bred young man-about-town" imply?

- The phrase makes him appear as a fashionable socialite - implies experience in the ways of the world
- Also, it implies vanity: he prioritises himself (his appearances and sexual needs) over helping others; foreshadows how he used Eva smith to satisfy his need until discarding her when the relationship was no longer convenient

What would the 1946 London audience have likely contained?

Men like Gerald

How does the introductory stage direction "easy, well-bred young man-about-town" set up the character Gerald to the audience?

It sets Gerald up as a character as that the audience wile will engage, sympathise with and finally condemn

How does Priestley confirm Gerald's role as a member of the Upper Class?

It is made known that the Gerald's parents Lord and Lady croft are unable to attend the engagement party

What does the audience initially assume about the Gerald intentions with marrying Sheila?

That he is marrying her for love

Why is he really marrying Sheila? (3 + quote)

- We can assume that as the son of a successful businessman and aristocrat that there are business opportunities with Crofts limited and Birling & Co
- Mr Birling references this in his engagement speech and Gerald agrees - "Hear, Hear!"
- Gerald has business-focused reasons for marriage, he is deceitful to Sheila and he prioritises business over love

How does Gerald ally himself with Mr Birling?

- Like Mr Birling he initially denies knowing Eva Smith displaying a dismissive attitude when saying "I don't come into this suicide business"

What can be said about the phrase "suicide business" from the quote" I don't come into this suicide business"?

- That it is a cold-hearted and unexpected response
- Suicide is not a business in the same sense that Crofts Limited is
- However, "business" can mean a difficult matter or scandalous event

How does the statement "I don't come into this suicide business" position Gerald?

- The pronoun "I" immediately dissociated Gerald from the situation at hand
- It immediately dissociates him and positions him as superior: implying that others are responsible for his death

How does Priestley use the quote "[startled]: What?" to position Gerald? (4)

- We stark difference is his reaction when he hears Eva Smith and Daisy Renton
- He is "[startled]" - he can no long shift the blame to others but he must now own up to his mistakes and embrace the overarching message of social responsibility
- The upper middle class he represents must now face the consequences and repercussions of his behaviour: his mistreatment towards the working class
- The audience begin to question and wonder about Gerald and because they have witnessed his incessant smug self-confidence they are set up to enjoy his discomfort in his pending interrogation

Describe how Gerald is similar to Eric? (palace bar)(5)

- They both consider the women that frequent the palace bar only in terms of their appearance
- He criticises their "dough faces" and "hard eyes" - revealing that commodification of women is normal to him
- His complimentary description of Eva Smith's "big dark eyes" reveals an attitude of objectification
- He considers women in the bar as if he is choosing items in a shop
- He does not think of her as a person but rather as something to enjoy

When Inspector Goole uncovers Gerald's affair with Eva how is he presented?

Gerald appears to be upset by her death

What does Priestley focus the audience's attention on when Gerald gives his report after ending the affair? (3)

- With his report after ending the affair "she didn't blame me at all. I wish she had now" Priestley focuses the attention of the audience on what appears to be genuine remorse and self-blame
- The audience feels some sympathy towards Gerald and believes that he will align himself with the Inspector's views on social responsibility
- This is particularly exciting as he is a member of a higher class that wields power and possesses many social contacts in higher echelons of society

Why does the audience change their opinion of Gerald in Act 3?

Because he does everything he can to prove the Inspector is fake.

What does the audience realise about Gerald in Act 3? (2)

- That he has learnt nothing at all unlike Sheila and Eric
- He is reflects the behaviour of Mr and Mrs Birling: he wants to avoid a public scandal and wishes to protect himself and his wealth

What particular instance does Priestley set up the audience to condemn Gerald? (2)

- When he offers Sheila the engagement ring "Everything's all right now" the audience learns he has learnt absolutely nothing
- even if Eva did not exist he refuses to reflect upon his treatment of Daisy Renton and to become a better person

What can we conclude about Gerald's character as a whole? (3)

- For a moment, Priestley encourages the audience to sympathise with Gerald in hopes that he - and the aristocracy he represents - becomes a better person
- When this fails to happen, the disappointed audience condemn him, his attitude towards Eva and towards vulnerable members of society
- Through Gerald, Priestley presents the aristocracy as self-interested people who instead of sharing their wealth they are more likely to follow family tradition: preserving it for the next generation