GCSE (9-1): Literature: An Inspector Calls: Characters: Gerald Croft Quotes

"You couldn't have done anything else"

He sides with Mr Birling about sacking the workers for wanting more pay.

"There's nothing to settle as far as I'm concerned"

He does not see how himself and the Birlings are responsible for the death of Eva at the beginning of the play.

"We're respectable citizens and not criminals"

He thinks they have no part in her death because of their wealth, status and power in society - he's nothing like the lower classes.

"She's had a long and exciting day"

Gerald is patronising Shiela and making excuses for her confronting him and Birling.

"It's bound to be unpleasant and disturbing"

He does not think Shiela should hear his 'interview' because it is upsetting. Traditional view of 'sensitive' women.

"You've been through it- and now you want to see someone else put through it"

Gerald is bitter and unkind towards Shiela which shows the faults in their relationship.

"I've suddenly realised [...] that she's dead"

He seems to be upset by Eva's death.

"She also told me she'd had a job in one of the works [...] and had had to leave after a strike"

This line suggests that she is like the other girls

"That man wasn't a police officer"

Gerald is the first to realise the Inspector wasn't real which changes the perspective and view of the older Birlings. He loses his remorse and looks for a way to escape what he has done to Eva, regardless of whether she is dead or not.

"We've been had"

Gerald doesn't think there was any truth in what the Inspector said at all.

"But how do you know it's the same girl?"

Gerald is obviously keen to prove the Inspector wrong, questioning his use of the photograph.

"Everything's all right now Shiela"

He seems to have forgotten the Inspector's 'lesson' on responsibility before he left.

"an attractive chap about thirty"

Tells us that he is in-between the younger and older generation, so he will be torn between capitalist views like his father and socialist views like the younger generation.

"hope I can make you as happy as you deserve to be"

At the beginning of the play, he has good intentions toward Sheila and making her happy.