Gerald Croft

Gerald is the son of a wealthy industrialist (Sir George Croft) who’s socially superior to the Birlings and his company is a rival of Mr Birlings. He is now engaged to Sheila.

at the start of the play in the stage directions he is described as:

“an attractive chap about 30, rather too manly to be a dandy but very much the easy well-bred young man-about-town”

first impressions

his parents are Lord and Lady → Upper Class family which leads to a high quality background and elite status, property owner

he’s a very polished, self-assured, well mannered, extremely polite relaxed man

It is likely that Priestley wanted to expose the smooth hypocrisy of the upper classes: beneath the polish and good manners, there is a sense on entitlement and a desire to protect oneself above all else

What does Gerald represent? (Priestley represents…through Gerald)

  • Individualism of the upper-class

  • how easy it is for the upper-class to manipulate the truth

  • Aristocratic highest class, the most privileged

How does Priestley present Gerald? (Gerald is portrayed as…)

  • a privileged but likeable man

  • Ideal husband and son-in-law

    Priestley explores the initial attractive appearance of Gerald and his idealised portrayal as a husband and son-in-law to…

  • customer of prostitution

  • aware of upper-class immorality yet has no desire to change society + deliberately ignoring his sense of moral code and tries to forget his actions

    Priestley explores the extent of Gerald’s morality and the degree to which he is prepared to lie in order to preserve his social status, Priestley does this in order to….

  • materialistic

  • condescending to women (Patronising and misogynistic)

  • not hated, not loved (It’s Priestley’s intention to keep Gerald a redeemable character through ambiguity)

  • manipulative

How does Gerald fit into Priestley’s message and context of 1912 England (audience)

  • upper-classes are untouchable by law and responsibility as they have too much power

actions during the play:

  • Gives Sheila the engagement ring during the celebratory dinner

  • Shows he has the same business approach as Mr. Birling (Capitalism)

  • Conducts himself agreeably and politely with Mr & Mrs. Birling

  • Tells how he rescued Daisy Renton (Eva Smith) from Alderman Meggarty

  • Admits he kept Daisy (Eva) his secret mistress for 6 months, then broke off their relationship

  • Discovers that the police sergeant has never heard of Inspector Goole

  • Telephones the infirmary and learns no girl died that day

ending

confirms Gerald’s selfishness and lack of change/responsibility. He wants to preserve status and reputation. He becomes more closely connected to older-generation values in the way he tries to find a way out of the ‘scandal’.

He takes no responsibility and has no moral awareness, thinks they can just go back to normal

why doesn’t he change?

because it shows how the upper classes try to hold back progress in order to preserve their wealth and authority