Gerald Croft Key Quotes

“I don’t come into this suicide business”

Context: Act 1 - Gerald says this when the Inspector reveals that a girl (Eva Smith) has died by suicide. At this point, Gerald is trying to distance himself from the situation and pretend he has no connection to it

Analysis: The phrase “suicide business” sounds cold and dismissive, showing Gerald’s initial lack of empathy. Saying “I don’t come into this” reflects his denial and desire to protect his reputation rather than seek the truth. It contrasts with the more reflective tone he takes later

Effect on the Audience: The audience sees how Gerald, like the older Birlings, is quick to deny involvement. Priestley uses this to show how the upper class often avoids taking responsibility. His dismissive language might frustrate the audience, encouraging them to reflect on compassion and accountability

“We’re respectable citizens and not criminals”

Context: Act 1 - Gerald says this after the Inspector suggests their actions may have had serious consequences, trying to justify their social position

Analysis: Gerald immediately distances himself from any wrongdoing by clinging to the idea of being “respectable.” The word “respectable” reflects how much the upper class values image over morality. It also shows his belief that class protects him from judgement

Effect on the audience: This reveals Gerald’s sense of entitlement and foreshadows how each character’s idea of “respectability” is about to be challenged. The audience may see him as arrogant and complicit in upholding class divisions

“I didn’t install her there so that I could make love to her…I was sorry for her”

Context: Act 2 - Gerald is explaining his affair with Daisy Renton and justifying his actions by claiming he was trying to help her

Analysis: Although he shows some guilt, Gerald frames the situation to sound noble. He avoids the reality of the power imbalance between himself and Eva. His words show he views himself as her “rescuer,” which is a patronising attitude

Effect on the audience: While some may sympathise with him, others see this as a way of softening the truth. It reveals how men used their power under the guise of kindness, and may spark discomfort at how common this was

“Everything’s all right now, Sheila. [Holds up the ring] What about this ring?”

Context: Act 3 - After it is suggested that the Inspector might not have been real, Gerald tries to restore his engagement with Sheila as if nothing happened
Analysis: Gerald shows he hasn’t learned from the evening’s events. His focus is on preserving appearances rather than addressing the truth or Sheila’s emotional growth. The ring symbolises control and tradition, not love
Effect on the audience: Frustration—he clearly hasn’t taken moral responsibility. It reinforces Priestley’s message that some in the upper class will always revert to self-interest unless held accountable

“Where did you get the idea that I did know her?”

Context: Act 1 - When first questioned, Gerald tries to deny knowing Eva Smith (Daisy Renton), even though he did

Analysis: His instinct to lie shows he cares more about protecting his image than being honest. The question is defensive, and the use of “did” suggests a need to maintain emotional distance

Effect on the audience: Highlights dishonesty and secrecy in the upper classes. Builds suspense and encourages the audience to distrust his character

“Yes I think you were (justified in getting Eva sacked)” // “You couldn’t have done anything else”

Context: Act 1 - Gerald supports Mr Birling’s decision to sack Eva from his factory, even though it contributed to her downfall

Analysis: Gerald’s agreement shows how embedded capitalist values are in him. He views Eva’s demand for a higher wage as unreasonable, revealing a lack of empathy for the working class

Effect on the audience: This reinforces the theme of class inequality and makes Gerald appear unsympathetic. It reminds the audience that people in power often dismiss the struggles of the poor

“He at least had some affection for her and made her happy for a time”

Context: Act 3 - Spoken by the Inspector about Gerald, the Inspector acknowledges that Gerald’s relationship may have been more genuine than the others’ interactions with Eva

Analysis: This provides nuance to Gerald’s character. It shows he treated Eva with some care, contrasting with the others’ cruelty. However, the phrase “for a time” reminds us that it was temporary and ultimately self-serving

Effect on the audience: Encourages a more balanced view of Gerald. While flawed, he showed more humanity than the Birlings, which makes his lack of growth by the end more disappointing

“I insisted/ I made her take some money”

Context: Act 2 - Gerald explains how he helped Eva financially after their affair began

Analysis: While this shows he tried to support her, the use of “insisted” and “made” still implies control. He made decisions for her, rather than with her, which reflects the patriarchal attitudes of the time

Effect on the audience: Raises questions about whether his actions were truly selfless. Reinforces how even acts of ‘kindness’ can be rooted in power imbalance

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

Context: Act 2 - Gerald becomes emotional recalling Eva’s appearance

Analysis: The description is gentle and admiring, suggesting he was genuinely affected by her. The sudden break and “My God!” show remorse and emotional impact

Effect on the audience: Humanises Eva in a way the other characters don’t. Makes the tragedy more real and may make the audience feel more connected to her story

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

Context: Act 2 - Gerald says this while describing the women he saw at the Palace bar, comparing them to Eva/Daisy, whom he helped

Analysis: Gerald’s language is filled with judgement and superficiality. “Hard-eyed” suggests bitterness or a lack of beauty, and “dough-faced” implies unattractiveness or a lack of femininity. His disgust towards these women directly contrasts with his admiration for Eva’s appearance. This reflects Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze, where women are either idealised or dismissed based on how they meet male standards of beauty. Gerald doesn’t empathise with these women as people — he categorises them based on how they look

Effect on the audience: Priestley exposes Gerald’s shallow values and, more widely, critiques how society objectifies working-class women. By showing how Eva only receives ‘kindness’ (giving her shelter and money, but deeper their so called “kindness” is still shaped by power, control and self-interest) because of her beauty, Priestley highlights the injustice of a world where women’s survival often depends on how attractive they are to men. This makes the audience reflect on how deep-rooted such sexist attitudes remain

“It wasn’t disgusting”

Context: Act 2 - Gerald defends his relationship with Eva to the others, possibly expecting judgment
Analysis: He tries to preserve some dignity, showing he may have felt something real. However, it also reveals insecurity and a desire to appear noble
Effect on the audience: May spark some sympathy or, alternatively, may seem like another attempt to avoid blame. Reflects how the upper class sanitise their actions to feel less guilty