Gerald

• used tto show the flaws of the upper class
• represents aristocracy who exploited the working class in 1912
• for a moment he appears sorry for his behaviour towards Eva - provides false hope
• Ends play - agreeing with Mr Birling capitalistic idea's ->upper class will always be self-interested
• first meet - Priestly describes as; 'easy well-bred, young man-about-town' 


  (uses rule of 3)

  'man-about-town' -> shows he is sociable

  the quote establishes him as part of a privileged elite class

  'young' - even though he's 30 - shows he's immature +thoughtless -- foreshadows what we later find out about his irresponsible behaviour towards Eva + Shelia --gives false hope that he'll end up like the young Birling's
• 1945 audience - some will like him and so will engage, sympathise and condemn Gerald
• marries Shelia for business - Shelia is lower class - might be love but then spends all summer with Eva
• He acts like Mr Birling


  business comes first

  denies knowing Eva Smith at all at the start

  dismissive - 'I don't come into this suicide business'
• 'I don't come into this suicide business'


  cold hearted

  'business' - company/difficult matter

  the phrase makes Gerald look superior (others are responsible for Eva's death)

  Changes when Eva is referred to as Daisy Renton - goes from smug +self confident to discomforted
• Palace Bar


  called women : 'doe-faced', 'Hard eye'

  Eva :'big dark eyes'

  he examens the women at the bar, as if he is choosing an object - He thinks Eva is something he can enjoy not a person - he saves Eva from 'Joe Meggarty' but he is no better
• Upset by Eva's death


  'she didn't blame me at all, I wish to God she had now.' - shows genuine remorse - sympathy from audience as they think he will become socialist (which would be good, as he is an upper class man with many contacts in the higher end of society) - changes in Act 3 when he does everything to prove the Inspector is a fake - He learnt nothing like Mr+Mrs Birling - Reoffers Sheila the engagement ring back saying 'Everything is alright now'