Gerald

• Priestley uses Gerald Croft reveal the flaws of the upper classes - He represents the aristocracy who in 1912 exploited the working classes - especially working class women Like Eva Smith
• For a moment in the play he appears to be sorry for his behaviour towards Eva - This provides hope that the upper classes can change and become more socially responsible . At the end of the play , he realigns himself with capitalist ideas - Conveying Priestley's view that upper classes will always be selfish and will never change
• How is Gerald Croft described in the introductory stage directions?

  " Easy well-bred young man-about-town " - Priestley's use of the rule of 3 establishes him as privileged man and a member of an elite class used to a life of leisure
• Why might Gerald be described as being young if he has been described as being roughly 30 years old?

  Priestley may be suggesting that his attitude to life is immature and thoughtless - This foreshadows his irresponsible behaviour to Eva and Sheila
• What does the phrase "man-about-town" suggest about Gerald?

  He is a fashionable socialite and has experience in the world - but it also implies vanity , and suggest he prioritises himself (appearance and sexual 'needs') over others - this could foreshadow that he used Eva Smith to satisfy his needs before getting rid of her when the relationship was no longer convenient
• The 1945 Moscow audience would have thought that Gerald's appearance backed up their beliefs about the lazy upper classes living a life of privilege at the expense of the poor
• The 1946 London audience would have been full of men who were similar to Gerald , so some members would sympathise and even condemn his actions - Priestley uses Gerald as a tool to reveal the flaws of the upper classes
• The audience may have initially thought that Gerald is marrying Sheila because he is in love with her - however we learn that Gerald has an affair with Eva Smith - his engagement to Sheila may only be for business reasons , which shows he prioritises money over love
• What can be suggested about Gerald when he says "I don't come into this suicide business" ?

  His attitude is dismissive and the phrase "suicide business" is cold hearted as suicide is not a business - This is Priestley positioning Gerald as superior because Gerald implies others are responsible for Eva's death
• Gerald becomes uncomfortable when he hears the name Daisy Renton as he believed he was innocent - Priestley initially positions Gerald as superior so that the audience ,who have seen his smugness, can enjoy his discomfort in his interrogation
• Gerald only considers the women in the Palace Theatre in terms of their appearance - He describes Eva as having "big dark eyes" which reveals that he objectifies her and other women - He considers the women in the bar like he is choosing an item in a shop , not as people (More of an enjoyment)
• What does the quote "She didn't blame me at all. I wish to God she had now" suggest about Gerald?

  Priestley focuses our attention on Gerald who appears to show genuine remorse so the audience feels sympathy for him - and they believe that he may even align himself with the inspectors views of social responsibility (Exciting as he is a member of a class that holds power)
• The audience changes their opinion of Gerald in Act 3 when he does everything possible to prove the inspector is a fake - He has learnt nothing at all and wants to protect himself - Priestley sets the audience up to condemn Gerald
• When Gerald offers Sheila a ring and says "Everything's all right now" , the audience sees that he does not reflect on his treatment of Eva / Daisy