THEMES!!

• Themes linked to the character of GERALD:


  • PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
  • LOVE & MARRIAGE
  • YOUNG & OLD
• YOUNG & OLD:


  Gerald sides with the older generation, maybe due to aristocratic roots and influence to keep his status quo.

  Priestley highlights that age alone isn't a defining factor in dealing with responsibility.
• LOVE & MARRIAGE:


  Love & Marriage are presented to have different meanings in the perspectives of men and women.

  • MEN = Gerald and Eric's relationships are linked to sex rather than love - women are viewed as commodity.

  Love between Sheila and Gerald undergoes serious change as Gerald's affair with Eva comes to light - Sheila finds herself in doubt in regards to marrying Gerald.
• LOVE & MARRIAGE [PT2]:

  Gerald's treatment of Sheila can be argued as immoral.

  e.g.

  1. how at the beginning Gerald proposes to Sheila with a ring she didn't choose - "Is this the one you wanted me to have?"
  2. lying about how he was busy in the summer - too busy with Eva/affair.
  3. expects Sheila to cover for him in front of Inspector [she retaliates and says no].
  4. at the end of the play, asks Sheila to consider their marriage and doubts the story of Eva's death.
• PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY:


  Gerald feels guilty (ACT 2) for cheating on Sheila and deserting Eva, however, by the end of the play, he seems to have forgotten his shame and asks Sheila to remain engaged with him as if his affair was never revealed.

  This shows that Gerald never fully took responsibility for his actions towards these 2 women in the play let alone Eva's death.