Gerald

• But very much the easy well-bred man about town

  Shows that he is upper class and has had a very good upbringing. It seems like he is popular in town. He is a typical gentleman and has a good reputation.
• Hear, hear! And I think my father would agree to that


  He agrees with Mr Birling's capitalist views and he is trying to suck up to him
• You couldn't have done anything else


  Gerald keeps backing up Mr Birling almost mimicking his actions
• we're respectable citizens


  Suggests that Gerald wants the Inspector to think that they have done nothing wrong. Word 'citizens' implies that they are normal people which they are not which he says hoping that the Inspector will not suspect them. The theme of Appearance vs Reality is evident in this line. They seem like the perfect family however the Inspector begin to shatter this thin image
• All right.I knew her. Let's leave it at that

  The inspection begins to create personal conflicts within the family. Gerald is persuaded to explain his unfaithfulness to Sheila which weakens their formerly strong engagement
• She was very pretty-soft brown hair and big dark eyes

  By using positive imagery to describe Eva, it makes her treatment seem crueller. She to him contrasts the other 'hard eyed dough faced women
• (distressed) sorry- I-well, I've suddenly realised...she's dead


  Gerald's sudden exclamation shows that he is more emotionally attached a reaction that he didn't have before. which shows that he only cared when the matter related to him. It could also signify that though the investigation is a formal procedure, his sudden realisation once again acts as a reminder to the audience of the tragic circumstances surrounding the death
• ...because I was sorry for her

  Personal pronoun 'I' suggests that he truly did care for Eva at a time where no one did. He also conversed with her which indicates that he had a proper relationship with her which would make the audience feel sympathetic. Alternatively the past tense 'was' suggests that he does not feel sorry for her now perhaps to assure the Inspector that he has nothing to do with her now
• young man about town


  The audience get the impression that Gerald likes to go to places he is not welcome. This would not be acceptable for this time period
• You seem to be a nice well-behaved family

  Appearances can be deceptive. The word 'seem' suggests that Gerald does not know the family particularly well. It hints that there is inner conflict within the family
• That's true


  Gerald not only agrees with Mr Birling capitalist views but also agrees with his misogynistic views on women
• showing annoyance


  Gerald is not used to not getting his own way. Inspector is refusing to give him this right. He is not giving him the special treatment that he is used to
• I hope so


  This phrase ignites suspicion within the audience as they question on why he didn't just say yes straightaway. It could foreshadow Gerald's involvement in the suicide
• She's nothing more to tell you

  Gerald still has an element of control over Sheila . Gerald may be uneasy of Sheila's presence as the Inspector may reveal how he was involved with Eva Smith
• with an effort


  Gerald does not seem more concerned about his unfaithfulness to Sheila. He cares more about being in a bad perspective in front of Inspector. He does not feel regret
• (bitterly)...You've been put through it- and now you want to see somebody else put through it

  Prior to the Inspector's arrival, Gerald and Sheila were outwardly in love which contrasts this particular moment in the play. There is an increasing tension between them as a result of what Sheila is perhaps thinking Gerald did behind her back. It gives the audience an idea of the conflicted feelings felt as Gerald questions her negative motives
• A favourite haunt of women of the town

  A euphemism is embedded here. Gerald in actual fact reveals that this particular bar was a place for prostitutes. It suggests that Gerald cannot come to terms with the plight of the working class. The noun 'haunt' has ghostly connotations which suggests that the women who engage in such activities are not actually themselves but are ghosts of themselves. They have suffered from the traumatic experience of prostitution. They have no choice
• So I insisted on Daisy moving into those rooms and I made her take some money to help her going there


  Gerald's involvement with the death, actually seems to be rather innocent contrasting the other character's involvement with her. His intentions were not to cause her any distress and just to support her in her impoverishment and the affair was just a consequence of this. However, the verb 'insisted' and 'made' suggests that he had an element of control over her just like he did with Sheila
• Because I was sorry for her

  The personal pronoun 'I' shows that Gerald truly cared for Eva unlike the other characters. This could perhaps extract sympathy from the reader as they realise that Gerald was being truthful in saying that he wanted to help her. Alternatively the use of the past tense 'was' suggests that these feelings of sorriness existed previously and is not the case now. This is emphasised through the repetition of the pronoun 'her' which creates a distance between him and Eva
• I became the most important person in her life

  Once again, the use of the personal pronoun 'I' suggests that Gerald feels as if he has done a heroic act in saving Eva from poverty. Although this heroic image is diminished when we realise that he abandoned her
• hadn't expected it to last

  It could suggest that Eva's previous encounter with Mr Birling and Sheila have meant that she is not too reliant on the good will of people
• In that case- as I'm rather upset by this business then I probably appear...I'd like to be left alone for a while


  Although Gerald maintain a tough exterior, he is deeply saddened about what has happened. The use of dashes could stress the emotions he is feeling because of the death. This humanises him as he is showing emotions. However the utilisation of the noun 'business' suggests that he is letting ago of all the emotional impacts of the death and he is trying to view it in a professional manner
• I hope you don't mind my coming back

  He speaks tentatively because he is unaware of his unfaithfulness to Sheila. This contrasts Act 1
• I have a special reason for coming


  This is a significant moment within the play, as he realises that he can prove to everyone that the Inspector was a hoax. This could also be a personalised moment as he tries to regain his trust back from the Birling family
• (slowly) That man wasn't a police officer

  Gerald purposefully tries to heighten the suspense by speaking 'slowly' which is an adverb. He is trying to show elements of being a 'heroic character' which mirrors his behaviour in saving Eva Smith from Aldermen Meggarty. He now tries ti rescue the Birlings from a public scandal. Gerald is the first character to explicitly state that the Inspector is a hoax