Gerald Croft

“easy well-bred

young man about town” (stage directions Act 1)

He initially fools the audience into thinking that he is an affable, or even respectable

unfeeling as he would rather cover up his infidelity

he treats women he is going to spend rest of his life with, such cruelty

MB : “working together- for lower costs and higher prices”

Gerald:

Hear, hear.”

tone of delight and expression of approval suggests he is unfeeling towards the workers in the companies who are cheap labour for the capitalist owners

We’re respectable citizens

not criminals

• social status equates morality

• Irony – The audience knows they have committed immoral acts, even if not legally criminal.

• Class arrogance – “respectable citizens” suggests he believes status = moral superiority.

• Theme – Social class and hypocrisy; Gerald equates social standing with moral innocence.

• Juxtaposition – Sets up the Inspector’s challenge: that moral responsibility matters more than legal status.

I don’t come

into this suicide business

• Dismissive tone – “suicide business” trivialises Eva’s death, showing emotional detachment.

• Denial / Evasion – Gerald tries to distance himself from any blame early on.

She didn’t blame me at all.

I wish to God she had now.

• Emotive language – “I wish to God” expresses deep regret and guilt.

• Contrast – Eva’s forgiveness vs. Gerald’s own self-condemnation highlights her dignity and his conscience.

• Tone – remorseful and reflective, showing a more vulnerable side of Gerald.

I didn’t feel about

her as she felt about me

• Emotional imbalance – reveals an unequal relationship; Gerald acknowledges Eva loved him more than he loved her.

• Tone – regretful, possibly guilty, but still emotionally detached.

• Theme – power dynamics in relationships; exploitation of vulnerability.

• Euphemistic phrasing – avoids bluntly saying he used her, which softens his guilt.

I didn’t ask for

anything in return.

• Self-justification – Gerald tries to present himself as generous or noble.

• Tone – defensive, possibly trying to lessen his guilt.

• Theme – morality vs. intention: even if he didn’t ask for anything, his power and privilege still influenced the relationship.

I’m rather more -upset- by this

business than I probably appear to be

• Hesitation / broken syntax – the dashes show emotional conflict and a struggle to express himself.

• Tone – defensive, possibly sincere, but still restrained.

• Euphemism – “suicide business” downplays the seriousness of Eva’s death.

• Character insight – shows a complex mix of guilt, image-consciousness, and suppressed emotion.

I became at once the

most important person in her life

Self-importance – suggests ego or a lack of awareness of the power imbalance.

Theme – dependency and exploitation: Eva became emotionally reliant on him.

• Language of control – “I became” implies dominance in the relationship dynamic.

• Tragic irony – his presence was meaningful to her, but temporary for him.

I didn’t install her

her there so that I could make love to her.

• Defensive tone – Gerald is trying to justify his actions and protect his reputation.

• Verb “install” – objectifies Eva, suggesting power and control, like placing an item, not helping a person.

• Euphemism – “make love to her” softens the nature of their sexual relationship, avoiding direct language.

Eva smith was - “intensely

grateful”

• Phrase “intensely grateful” – implies emotional dependency; shows Eva’s vulnerability and Gerald’s power in the relationship

• Tone – nostalgic, possibly sentimental, but also patronising.

We’ve been

had, that’s all.

• Colloquial language – “been had” suggests being tricked or fooled, informal tone.

• Dismissive tone – tries to downplay the whole investigation as a hoax or mistake.

• Denial – refusal to accept moral responsibility.

• Irony – audience understands the play’s serious message about social responsibility, so his comment shows his failure to learn.

By Jove,

a fake!

• he feels relief not guilt

• Exclamation – “By Jove” shows surprise or disbelief, typical upper-class expression.

• Short, emphatic phrase – highlights sudden realization.

• Tone – dismissive and mocking, as Gerald reacts to the possibility the Inspector is not real.

• Irony – undermines the moral seriousness of the play’s message by focusing on the Inspector’s identity, not the lessons.

Everything’s all right now,

Sheila. (Holds up the ring) What about this ring?

The ring as a problem symbolises his capitalist background and the fact their engagement was nothing more than a business transaction. No love

Treated Eva like a prostitute.

He casually calls the ring ‘this ring’ as if she is just an object who can be bribed or bought