Gerald Croft

“I don’t come into this suicide business.” (Act 1)
👉 Gerald initially tries to distance himself—he refuses to accept his part in Eva’s downfall.

“I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me.” (Act 2)
👉 Acknowledges that he used Eva emotionally, even if he felt he helped her.

“I didn’t ask for anything in return.” (Act 2)
👉 Gerald sees himself as generous, but his treatment of Eva still reflects power imbalance—he had control, she didn’t.

“She was young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful.” (Act 2)
👉 Patronising tone—shows how upper-class men romanticised their exploitation of lower-class women.

“Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?” (Act 3)
👉 Shows he hasn't learned anything. While Sheila matures, Gerald wants to return to how things were, pretending nothing happened.

(Implied): His attitude contrasts with Sheila’s emotional growth, highlighting the divide between those who change and those who don’t.

(Implied): Gerald represents privilege and capitalism—he’s the son of a wealthy industrialist, aligned with Mr Birling.

“We’re respectable citizens and not criminals.” (Act 1)
👉 Classic upper-class denial of moral responsibility, rooted in capitalist thinking: legality > morality.

“I became at once the most important person in her life.” (Act 2)
👉 Sounds romantic, but also reveals ego and lack of self-awareness—he doesn't see the moral issue in the power imbalance.

(Sheila) “You were the wonderful fairy prince. You must have adored it.” (Act 2)
👉 Sheila judges him sharply, exposing the self-satisfaction and saviour complex in his actions.

“I didn’t install her there so that I could make love to her.” (Act 2)
👉 Gerald tries to defend himself, but this reveals how men felt entitled to take control of vulnerable women’s lives.

“She told me she'd been happier than she'd ever been before.” (Act 2)
👉 He believes this justifies the relationship—ignores how power dynamics and gendered expectations shaped it.

“I’m rather more – upset – by this business than I probably appear to be.” (Act 2)
👉 Shows a moment of guilt, but it’s brief and never really turns into action or change.

“Everything’s all right now.” (Act 3)
👉 He quickly shrugs off guilt once he believes the Inspector wasn’t real.

(Implied): Gerald escapes legal punishment and avoids moral consequences—Priestley uses him to show how the upper class often avoid justice.

(Sheila’s reaction): “You’re pretending everything’s just as it was before.” (Act 3)
👉 Sheila reminds us the truth still matters, even if no legal action is taken.

“Everything’s all right now.” (Act 3)
👉 He wants to restore appearances, even though the reality of what he did hasn’t changed.

(The Inspector forces out the truth about his affair)
👉 Gerald seemed loyal and respectable, but that’s just surface-level—he’s hiding a scandal like the others.