An Inspector Calls- Gerald Croft

Gerald Croft flashcards

"I'm rather more - upset - by this business than I probably appear to be - and - well..."

Priestley's use of dashes shows that Gerald is stumbling over his words and is genuinely upset.

"I'd like to be alone for a while..."

Shows that Gerald needs time to digest the news about Eva's death.

"because she felt I was interested and friendly..."

Shows that Gerald, unlike the other Birlings, was willing to listen to Eva.

!I made her take some money to keep her going there."

Show that Gerald understood Eva well enough to realise she wouldn't accept help lightly.

"I didn't ask for anything in return."

Shows that Gerald, unlike Eric, did not take advantage of Eva.

"I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women."

The strong verb 'hate' shows that Gerald has no empathy for the prostitutes in Brumley.

"She looked young and fresh..."

The adjective "fresh" suggests Gerald only liked the look of Eva because she was still young and pretty.

"I became at once the most important person in her life."

Suggests that Gerald enjoyed being the centre of Eva's universe - he seems to have enjoyed the power he had.

"I didn't feel about her as she felt about me."

Suggests that Gerald was selfish and irresponsible.

(Going for his drink)

This stage direction shows how relaxed Gerald seems at the end of the play - he no longer seems upset at all.

"I'd had time to cool off and think things out a little."

Shows that instead of grieving for Eva, Gerald switches to trying to get himself off the hook!

"Everything's alright now, Sheila."

Shows that Gerald has learnt nothing by the end of the play and intends to go on as he was before.

"What about this ring?"

Shows that Gerald is insensitive to Sheila's feelings and expects her to forgive him immediately.

"I threatened to make a row."

Shows that Eric showed Eva little respect and took advantage of her - unlike Gerald.