Gerald Act 3

• Spared by the inspector

  inspector was less harsh on Gerald than other characters in the play, acknowledging that he "at least had some affection for her and made her happy for a time" This is interesting, In Priestley's life he had affairs in his own marriage, he refrains from displaying infidelity as one of the pertinent misconducts within the text.

  Audience respects inspector's omniscience and mirror his views- provides an opportunity to applaud Gerald's somewhat charitable behaviour towards the working class.
• Dismissive

  Gerald conducts the play to follow a cyclical structure focusing back on his and Sheila's engagement. This is reflective on his unwillingness to change and his overarching desire to regain himself.

  He Suppresses and downplays the events of the evening stating "everything's alright now, Sheila. [holds up the ring] what about this ring?" - exposing his remorse seen earlier in the lay as preformative "ring" as a symbol for marriage displays Gerald's materialistic view of marriage - ignores and sense of emotion or love.
• Exposing the inspector

  Act 2, he was in a position of weakness; he seems governed by his emotions claiming he is "rather more upset by this business than I probably appear to be"

  Act 3 teaches us that this was a facade. Later seems it was deliberate and forged when he returns he exposes that this time away was merely an opportunity to rid himself of responsibility

  "(slowly) That man wasn't a police officer" The stage directions "slowly" allows him to regain power and assert himself over everyone in the room.
• Priestley's intentions

  Gerald serves to bridge the gap between the older and younger gens, whilst Gerald is closer To Eric and Sheila in terms of age, he is closer to the Birling parents in terms of ideologies.