Sheila's fiancé & is the highest social character in the play.
self-confidence reflects hiss class and upbringing.
His parents {Lord & Lady Croft} disapprove the marriage with Sheila - links to Great Chain Of Being & how it's a interclass marriage.
views & outlook on life are comparable to Mr Birling.
Initially, takes responsibility for Eva's death but ultimately wants to cover it up due to his reputation, power, and status.
IMPORTANTCE:
Represents how the old class system is hard to remove -Aristocrats don't want to lose power or status.
Gerald represents the Upper Class in the play.
Audience urges his change but he doesn't - Has potential to change - e.g. Helped Daisy with accommodation.
His character displays the immoral and moral consequences of his actions - he first feels sorry but further throughout the play he is portrayed to follow the ideas of the older Birlings {Mr/Mrs B}
His main concern = reputation
ROLE:
Priestley uses Gerald to represent the upper classes & the privileged in society. Gerald has a sense of entitlement, this prevents him from truly empathising with the suffering of working classes.
Gerald acts on suspicion about the Inspector - revealing that he is a fraud. This implies that the upper classes priority is reputation & appearance not concern for those who are socially inferior.
