Gerald Croft quotes

“she was pretty - soft brown hair and big dark eyes [breaks off] My God!”

• He only cared about Eva because of his own lustful desires as evidenced by Priestley’s ordering of words (syntax)

• The use of aposiopesis (abrupt break off in speech) comes directly after Gerald describes her beauty. Therefore, revealing that he only felt attracted to Eva physically as he fells the greatest grief when reminiscing her physical beauty

“The girl saw me looking at her and then gave me a glance that was nothing less than a cry for help”

His use of emotive language makes us realise that he genuinely felt sorry for her and wanted to help her

“I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women”

• The good natured portrayal of Gerald at the start of the play begins to break down as the audience learn more about his nighttime activities

• This opinion of prostitutes is one that can only come from experience, rather than a one off chance occurrence. For Eva to seem “out of place” he must have known what was ordinary for a prostitute and therefore have been experienced

“All right. I knew her. Let’s leave it at that”

This abrupt line of dialogue shows how initially Gerlad is very evasive about his involvement and wants to close down the topic as soon as possible

“young and fresh and charming and altogether out of place down there”

• Priestley incorporates a predatory description of Gerald as there are connotations of desire and fertility

• Zoomorphism - giving a human the features of an animal. Gerald views Eva as a piece of meat or food: a possession. This is an example of misogynistic objectification

• Freud’s theory: human behaviour is influenced by unconscious memories, thoughts, and urges. Gerald displays pure, innate sexual desires towards Eva

• Priestley also includes connotations of purity as she is “out of place”, which is possibly a euphemism for her still being a virgin

• Gerald desires Eva because she isn’t broken or been used yet, like the other prostitutes that he frequents. This implies that Gerald doesn’t like prostitutes but she was different which meant it was acceptable, in Gerald’s view, to use her as it didn’t feel like prostitution

“[well bred young man about town]”

• “well” connotes thoroughness, illustrating that Gerald has undergone thorough and vigorous training to fulfil the role of a “Lord and Lady’s son”. It establishes him as privileged, of elite class and used to a life of leisure

• “about town” is suggestive - his charismatic and superior nature is well know - he is defined by his social standing

• Another interpretation is Gerald is actually a victim to his society. He has been blindly indoctrinated by capitalist ideologies

• “well bred” creates an animalistic image, showing Gerald has been bred like a horse; he has been bred with a purpose and to perform

• As this is the first stage direction we’re given, it shows how he is entirely defined by his social status

“Sorry-I-well, I’ve suddenly realised - taken it in properly - that she’s dead”

• Gerald’s delayed reaction to her death is diluted with hyphens as this stammered and staggered speech reveals the overwhelming sadness he feels

• Priestley reveals the internal conflict within Gerald, between his natural emotional response and his attempt to suppress any (feminine) emotion that he shows, as he has to remain masculine in a patriarchal society

“I insisted / I made her take some money”

These are both monetary exchanges, rather than financial aid. Therefore, Gerald is disguising prostitution as charity. Priestley’s use of imperatives bears connotations of power and force; Gerald was always in power and in control