Character Gerald C

• Gerald Croft


  An attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy but very much the easy well-bred young man‐about‐town
• Gerald's description


  • Presents him in a positive light
  • He is shown to be confident, amiable and polite
• Gerald


  The social superior of the Birling family, he represents immense privilege
• Gerald


  Presents little dissension to both Mr and Mrs Birling's attitudes and behaviour
• Gerald agrees with Arthur's dismissal of Eva because of her participation in a pay strike
• Gerald


  • A relatively passive character
  • In contrast to Mr and Mrs Birling's confrontational behaviour
• Gerald


  • Can be viewed as a more sympathetic character
  • He is open to the Inspector's questioning
  • He appears to present an honest account of his dealings with Eva
• Gerald


  Presents himself having rescued Eva, though this could be viewed as self-justification for his actions
• Gerald's affair could be perceived to demonstrate upper-class sexual hypocrisy and irresponsibility
• Gerald


  Discards Eva when he loses interest in her
• Gerald


  First attempts to hide details of his affair from Sheila
• Gerald's first reaction to the dead girl

  Is to distance himself from it though he does show empathy towards her
• Gerald


  • Although he is still culpable, he could be perceived to be the least blameworthy character in the play
  • While both Gerald and Eric exploit Eva/Daisy, Gerald's behaviour towards her was not cruel and he appears to have been sincerely concerned for her
• Gerald's guilt


  Is only temporary and he celebrates with the Birlings on avoiding a scandal
• Gerald


  By offering the ring again to Sheila at the end of the play, he shows he has not learnt anything from the Inspector