Gerald Croft

• Gerald Croft, a wealthy member of the elite Birling & Co., works at his father's company, Crofts Limited. He is engaged to Sheila Birling, despite his mother's disapproval. J. B. Priestly describes Gerald as an attractive, well-bred young man, and he is questioned by Inspector Goole.

  
•  ‘I don’t come into this suicide business.’
•  'Everything's all right now Sheila'
• • When he returns, he has news: the Inspector was an impostor. He returns to the way he was before; the fact that he still did what he did does not make him change like Sheila and Eric.
  • However, when offering Sheila the ring back, she can’t take it. ‘Everything’s all right now Sheila. (Holds up the ring.) What about this ring?’ She replies, ‘It’s too soon. I must think.’ She needs him to change his attitude and take responsibility for his actions. He forgets how poorly he treated Sheila and Daisy
• Priestley's Message


  Priestley's aim is to criticize the upper-class in Britain, despite their attractive appearance. He highlights the ways of 'old money' and the damaging effects of capitalist principles. Priestley blames the upper class for working-class deaths in war, citing their incompetence and false entitlement. He also blames Croft for contributing to the death of Eva Smith and John Smiths. Priestley's portrayal of selfish attitudes highlights the ingrained nature of these attitudes and their difficulty to change.
• Gerald's Character Development


  Gerald initially hesitates about a death, but becomes shocked when he learns it's Daisy Renton, his affair partner. He admits to Sheila, but ultimately fails to change his ingrained attitudes, illustrating the difficulty of transforming the upper class.