gerald

• Who is Gerald in relation to Sheila?

  Gerald is Sheila's fiancé.
• What is the name of Gerald's father's company?

  The company is called Crofts Limited.
• How does Gerald's family status compare to the Birlings?

  The Croft family is socially superior to the Birlings.
• How does Priestley describe Gerald in the stage directions?

  As “an attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy but very much the easy well-bred young man-about-town.”
• What role does Gerald play in Eva's demise?

  He contributes to the chain of events that drive Eva to suicide by using her as a mistress.
• What does Gerald represent according to Priestley?

  Gerald represents the individualism of the upper-class.
• How does Gerald's character affect the audience's expectations?

  He disillusions the audience by failing to change his capitalist and selfish attitudes.
• What does Gerald's failure to develop social responsibility convey?

  It conveys how entrenched upper-class attitudes are; even death won’t change them.
• How is Gerald's physical appearance described?

  He is portrayed as a physically attractive, privileged but likable man.
• What does the phrase “rather too manly to be a dandy” suggest about Gerald?

  It suggests that he is confident in his own masculinity.
• What does the idiomatic phrase “easy well-bred young man-about-town” imply about Gerald?

  It suggests that Gerald is a fashionable socialite and may foreshadow his unfaithfulness.
• How does Gerald's minor role early in the play affect audience perception?

  It causes the audience to feel ambivalent about him.
• Why is Gerald portrayed as an ideal husband and son-in-law?

  Due to his financial security and higher social status.
• What does Sheila's question about the engagement ring reveal about Gerald?

  It reveals that he is caring and thoughtful.
• How does Gerald's attitude contrast with Mr. Birling's?

  Gerald's attitude is genial and humble, while Mr. Birling is pompous and arrogant.
• What societal context does Priestley highlight regarding women's financial independence in 1912?

  Women were forbidden from opening a bank account and had no money of their own.
• How does Gerald's portrayal change as the play progresses?

  His good nature begins to break down as the audience learns about his nighttime activities.
• What does Gerald's description of prostitutes reveal about him?

  It shows that he has experience with them and holds a disdainful opinion.
• What does Gerald's reaction to Eva's beauty signify?

  It signifies that he is primarily attracted to her physically.
• How does Gerald perceive the upper-class's cruelty?

  He is aware of it but shows no desire to change society.
• What moral crossroads is Gerald portrayed as being stuck at?

  He can either fight against the class system or continue to use it to his advantage.
• How does Gerald view his public image?

  He sees it as important and maintains an image of an honest upper-class man.
• How does Gerald's awareness of the class system differ from Mr. and Mrs. Birling?


  Gerald can recognize its flaws, while Mr. and Mrs. Birling cannot.
• How is Gerald portrayed in relation to the younger and older generations?

  He is caught between the older and younger generations, forming a middle-generation.
• What does Gerald deliberately ignore in his moral choices?

  He ignores his sense of morality and only reacts to visible injustices.
• How does Gerald's guilt manifest after his actions towards Eva?

  His guilt is short-lived and almost insignificant.
• How does Gerald manipulate his conscience regarding his actions?

  He tries to reason and manipulate his conscience to alleviate his responsibility.
• What moral stance does Gerald follow?

  He follows a moral stance only when it suits his own needs.
• How does Gerald's view of relationships reflect his materialism?

  He perceives relationships as transactions, emphasizing possessions over human connections.
• What does Gerald's semantic field of business and finance indicate?

  It indicates that he views his interactions with Eva as transactional.
• How does Priestley portray Gerald's attitude towards women?

  He portrays Gerald as condescending and patronizing towards women.
• What does Gerald's rescue of Eva symbolize?

  It symbolizes a façade, as he merely takes her captive rather than truly rescuing her.
• How does Gerald's attraction to Eva reflect societal views on women?

  It reflects that women were valued primarily for their beauty and sexual gratification.
• How does Gerald's exclusion of women manifest in the play?

  He attempts to oppress women's voices and exclude them from discussions.
• What does Gerald imply about Sheila's emotional state?

  He implies that she is too emotional to think clearly and should leave the thinking to men.
• How does Gerald's view of protecting women reveal his true motives?

  His desire to protect women benefits men and maintains their power.
• How does Priestley intend for the audience to feel about Gerald by the end of the play?

  He intends for Gerald to be neither hated nor loved, maintaining a theme of liminality.
• What does the audience's reaction to Gerald reveal about societal issues?

  It exposes the hypocrisy of society, as they favor Gerald despite his immorality.
• How does Gerald's rejection of responsibility manifest in the play?

  He attempts to dismantle the theory of Eva Smith and suggest she was different in each character’s interaction.
• What narrative perspective does Gerald's character provide?

  His perspective is one-sided, as Eva is not alive to validate his story.