Gerald Croft - Key Quotes

“easy well-bred young man about town” (Stage Directions)

• the idiomatic phrase suggests that Gerald is a fashionable socialite

• alternatively, this phrase could have plural connotations

• perhaps Priestley is foreshadowing the unfaithful nature of Gerald, as he literally goes about-town in search of female companions

"We're respectable citizens not criminals." (Act 1)

• Gerald pretends that he has done nothing wrong and that he is "respectable" as he is upper class.

• He uses Birling's method of using power and status to scare the Inspector.

• The word "citizens" gives the effect that the Birlings and Gerald are normal people

• Theme: Class

“she was pretty - soft brown hair and big dark eyes” (Act 2)

• Priestley’s use of aposiopesis comes directly after Gerald describes her beauty

• therefore revealing that Gerald only felt attracted to Eva physically as he feels the greatest grief when remembering her physical beauty

• may suggest that he is marrying Sheila for her attractive physically appearance as she is a “pretty girl”

“young and fresh and charming and altogether out of place there” (Act 2)

• Priestley incorporates a predatory description of Eva as there are connotations of desire and fertility from the adjective “fresh”

• Priestley’s use of this adjective has plural connotations as Gerald views Eva like food - a possession

“I insisted I made her take some money” (Act 2)

• these are both monetary exchanges, rather than financial aid - Gerald is disguising prostitution as charity

• Priestley’s use of imperatives has connotations of power and force; Gerald was always in power and control

• Theme: Capitalism

“he at least had some affection for her and made her happy for a time” (Act 2)

• Inspector notes that Gerald’s kindness towards Eva separates him from the rest of the characters

• yet, the help that he provided to Eva was in his own interest as he admits that he must have been a “wonderful fairy prince” to Eva

"What about this ring?" (Act 3)

• Sheila breaks her engagement to Gerald because she feels that she does not know him, Gerald proves that he has not changed at all by the end.

• He offers Sheila the engagement ring back, expects Sheila to agree and pretend that the whole ordeal has not happened.

• This also proves that he has not learnt anything from the story.

supporting quotes

• “women of the town”

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