an inspecotr calls - gerald

Question 1

” either theres a dead girl or there isn’t” - act 3 - Gerald

Answer 1

geralds theories about the inspector and eva allow him and their parents to excuse themsleves from the situtation . this is becuase so they dont face legal action. and her death is the only thing tying them to their actions.

this conveys geralds guilt and the urgency of the situation dpends on her death.
this oversimplifies the nuances of social responsibility . And the straightforward parallel phrase “ or there isn’t” suggest, of hse isn’t dead then eeryhting is fine for gerlad and the birlings

Question 2

” and i’ve told you i was awfully busy at the works all the time’ - act 2

Answer 2

This is his excuse to sheila about commiting adultery with Eva smith .

Here priestly illustrates Gerlad uses capitalism as a facade .This is because it allows him to coward away from his responsbility and accept socialist beliefs .The value of work is inherently a trait of capitalist values.

Unlike eric he uses the persona;l pronouns “i” to abandon responsibilty as he is an egotistical aristocrat. This can strongly link to how capitalist idealgogies are deeply engrained within gerald .

Question 3

“everything’s alright now Sheila , what about this ring?” -act 3

Answer 3

Here gerald is shown as patriarchal as he tries to confine sheila to her oppressive role as a subservient wife.This can further suggest he rejects responisbilty after he theorises that the inspector wasn’t real and so he distracts sheila with a materialistic possession.
Additionaly he has seen her social progression and so fears this.

he is also shown as condescending as he is tactful in his approach , aware of sheila ‘s extreme distress . He is decieving ,cunning and charming and to entice her back to capitalism

Question 4

“you’ve been through it- and now “ - gerald

Answer 4

During the inspectors interrogation , in the second act , gerald states to sheila “you’ve been through it- and now “ Priestly’s use of a dramtic pause int he dialogue ,through the use of a hyphen , heightens the vehemence of the line’s delovery

However , gerald quickly becomes conciliatory in tone, “no no I didn’t mean “ conveyed through Priestly’s use of repition . As act 2 develops , gerald redeems himslef to some extent , through being more open and honest about his actions to sheila ad the inspector .

Gerald tell the truth to the inspector of how he met daisy renton and how she “gave … a glance that was nothing less than a cry for help”

Here , gerald no longer attempts to withhold information from the inspector .this difference is quite discernible from his attitude in the first act , as he outlines the full extent of his involvement , “when we met again - not accidentaly this time of course” he also details how he “made her take some money”and that he “was sorry for her”

Here priestly has gerald use emotive language and this helps the audience view gerald more positively . sheila also commends gerald for his honesty and his initial compassion for daisy.