Gerald Croft 💍

“Everything’s all right now, Sheila.”

Gerald’s immediate desire to restore normality shows he has not fully changed. The reassuring tone suggests he values appearances over moral reflection (AO1)

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

Gerald objectifies and stereotypes lower-class women. Priestley uses harsh imagery to expose upper-class prejudice and misogyny (AO3)

“She was young and pretty and warm-hearted.”

Gerald romanticises Eva, reducing her to attractive qualities. The list suggests affection, but also reflects how men objectify vulnerable women (AO2)

“What about this ring?”

The ring symbolises a return to old social structures and denial of responsibility. Priestley uses it to show Gerald’s desire to erase the events of the evening rather than learn from them (AO1 + AO2)