An Inspector Calls - Gerald

Question 1

Whys: 1

Answer 1

By positioning Gerald as a character who evades neat categorisation within either the older or
younger generation, Priestley builds tension as to whether he will ultimately chose to accept
responsibility for his actions or not. In doing so, he reminds the audience that each of us has a
choice to make - while clearly suggesting there is a right and wrong decision.

Question 2

Whys: 2

Answer 2

Gerald is portrayed as being deeply entrenched in his upper class upbringing. While it is clearly
suggested that he should, and could, learn and grow from his behaviour, he is shown not to
progress, perhaps suggesting the inherent difficulty of a sincere transformation, as for the
betrayal of his class allegiance is too unpalatable a step