gerald Flashcards
“he at least had some affection for her and made her happy for a time”
The conventional interpretation of Gerald
- inspector not particularly critical of him
- may be because priestley was also openly unfaithful in his marriage and did not disapprove of Geralds affair with eva
Sheilas perspective as social conditioning in a patriarchal society
sheila says - “and now at least you’ve been honest. and i believe what you told her about the way you helped her at first. just out of pity
- sheila, the voice of the inspector and priestley also forgives gerald, therefore we shouldnt be too critical of him
- priestley also invites our moral outrage as sheila is prepared to accept this honesty because a patriarchal society has conditioned her to accept infidelity in return for financial security and social status of marriage
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Sophistry - how does gerald exploit eva
sophistry - being able to argue something that isnt true, but doing it in such a way that it sounds true
- priestley lets us see the huge number of geralds deceptions
- he gets eva drunk at their first meeting before he feeds her, he sees shes down on her luck and considering prostitution. he pretends to care for her but gets her drunk to make her more suggestible
- she then tells him so many details that match exactly what the birlings know of her, for example she had lost both parents , but once the inspector leaves, he still pretends that theyre all different girls
- saying that if they all did something to different girls, it doesnt really matter
Gerald sexually exploiting Eva
- as soon as Gerald comes back from Canada, he kicks her out, and does it in a way that makes him feel less bad about himself
he gave her an allowance- “shed lived very economically on what I had allowed her” - even with this parting gift to her, she can only fund a 2 month stay in a bed and breakfast at the seaside, which is much less than he would have had to pay in renting a flat in Brumley
- Priestley may have done this to symbolise how Gerald is the same as all upper class men, not just that they are happy to pay for sex, but also they see any relationship as a way to exploit women in economics ways, does this to sheila also
Gerald and his further sophistry
- Gerald asks to leave and Inspector lets him go. he pretends to be upset about Evas death
- instead he went to a police station to find out if the inspector is real as he suspects all along that the inspector isnt real because of how rude the inspector was to him, considering he is a man of high status
- did this to convince himself that what they did to eva didnt make any difference as it wasnt a real inspector. but as sheila said, it didnt matter if he wasnt a real inspector
Gerald as a symbol of capitalism
- Gerald is the real face of capitalism in 1945 - in 1912, at over 30, he would he able to escape the first world war, running his fathers textile company for the war effort in 1914
- he is the kind of capitalist who has exploited the country in the two world wars, as many large companies got rich and benefited of the war and people dying, and he would have still been running that business during the second world war
- he is therefore the person and symbol who Priestley most wants us to reject
“i insist upon being one of the family now”
Verb and Intensifier: The verb “insist” conveys a strong sense of determination and assertiveness. It suggests that Gerald is demanding to be recognized and treated as part of the family. The use of the intensifier “upon” adds emphasis and underlines the firmness of Gerald’s request. This language choice demonstrates Gerald’s desire to establish his place and status within the Birling family.
Pronoun and Possessive Pronoun: The pronoun “I” highlights Gerald’s individual agency and his assertive nature. It signifies his personal desires and needs. The possessive pronoun “one” indicates that Gerald seeks a sense of belonging and inclusion within the family. It suggests that he wants to be seen and acknowledged as an integral part of their social circle.
Verbal Phrase: The phrase “being one of the family” reflects Gerald’s aspiration to be fully integrated and accepted by the Birlings. It implies a desire for emotional connection and a close bond with them. This language technique reveals Gerald’s longing for social validation and his attempt to establish a permanent place within the family’s social structure.
Tone: The statement carries a tone of insistence and determination. Gerald’s use of strong language and his assertion of being part of the family indicates his confidence and desire to be recognized as an equal. The tone conveys Gerald’s belief in his own entitlement and his expectation of being embraced by the family.
Desire for Social Status: Gerald’s statement underscores his aspiration for social status and acceptance. By insisting on being part of the family, he seeks to align himself with the Birling family’s wealth, reputation, and influence. This language choice suggests that Gerald values social connections and is driven by his desire for belonging and a higher societal position.
“the easy well bred young man about town”
The adjective “easy” suggests a relaxed and confident demeanor, indicating Gerald’s charm and ease in social situations. “Well-bred” conveys his refined upbringing and aristocratic background, highlighting his social standing and privilege. The term “young” emphasizes his youthful age and vitality, suggesting a sense of energy and potential.
- The phrase “young man about town” is a collocation, a combination of words commonly used together to describe a particular type of individual. It signifies a young, fashionable man who is well-versed in the social scene of the city. This collocation suggests that Gerald is familiar with and active in the social circles of the town, further emphasizing his privileged lifestyle and his involvement in high society.
- The word “easy” suggests a relaxed and carefree nature. It implies that Gerald possesses an effortless charm and confidence in his interactions. This word conveys his ability to navigate social situations with ease and adaptability
“i was awfully busy at the works”
The word “awfully” is used as an intensifier to emphasize the level of busyness Gerald claims to have experienced. It suggests an overwhelming amount of work or a high degree of engagement. This word choice aims to evoke sympathy and understanding while diverting attention from the truth.
works” is a reference to Gerald’s place of employment. It is intentionally vague and unspecific, allowing Gerald to avoid providing specific details about his whereabouts during the time in question. This word choice adds an air of legitimacy to his explanation while maintaining an element of ambiguity
- The tone of Gerald’s statement carries a sense of urgency and defensiveness. The use of the adverb “awfully” and the attempt to provide a quick explanation indicate his desire to justify his actions swiftly and prevent further scrutiny. The tone reflects Gerald’s attempt to protect his reputation and salvage his relationship with Sheila.
“you couldnt have done anything else”
- The modal verb “couldn’t” indicates a strong assertion and suggests a lack of alternative options or possibilities. Gerald is implying that Mr. Birling’s decision to sack the worker was the only course of action available to him. This language choice attempts to absolve Mr. Birling of any responsibility or criticism.
- Gerald is emphasizing the limited options available, reinforcing the notion that the decision to dismiss the worker was inevitable or necessary.
- By asserting that Mr. Birling “couldn’t have done anything else,” Gerald is attempting to deflect blame or criticism away from Mr. Birling’s decision. He implies that external circumstances or constraints left no room for alternative actions, thus relieving Mr. Birling of any moral accountability.
- The tone of Gerald’s statement carries a sense of certainty and conviction. The use of the modal verb “couldn’t” suggests a definitive judgment and implies that there is no room for debate or disagreement. The tone reflects Gerald’s belief that Mr. Birling’s decision was justified and that no other option was feasible.
“for God’s sake - dont say anything to the inspector”
- By explicitly stating “don’t say anything,” Gerald is placing a strong emphasis on silence and non-disclosure. This language technique implies that keeping information hidden is of utmost importance to protect their reputation and avoid potential repercussions. It reveals Gerald’s desire to maintain the status quo and prevent any further disruptions or revelations.
- For God’s sake” is an emotive language choice that adds emotional weight to Gerald’s plea. It conveys a sense of desperation and urgency, appealing to Sheila’s empathy and sense of responsibility. This language technique is intended to influence her emotions and discourage her from taking any action that may have negative consequences.
- the line reveals Gerald’s inclination towards secrecy and manipulation. By explicitly instructing Sheila not to disclose anything to the inspector, he displays a willingness to suppress information and control the narrative to his advantage. This indicates a certain level of cunning and a tendency to prioritize personal interests over truth and accountability.
Gerald “had some affection for her and made her happy for some time”
- The use of the word “some” before “affection” diminishes the significance or intensity of Gerald’s feelings towards Eva Smith. It suggests that his affection was not profound or long-lasting, reinforcing the notion that their relationship was relatively fleeting or superficial.
- The phrase “made her happy” suggests that Gerald played a role in bringing happiness to Eva Smith’s life, implying that he had the power to influence her emotional well-being. This implies a sense of responsibility and agency on Gerald’s part, as his actions had a direct effect on Eva Smith’s happiness.
- The statement acknowledges that Gerald had some level of affection for Eva Smith. This suggests that Gerald is capable of forming emotional connections and experiencing empathy towards others. It implies that he has the potential for genuine care and concern, at least to some extent.
- The mention of Gerald making Eva Smith happy for a period of time implies that he had the ability to bring joy and contentment to her life. This suggests that Gerald possesses certain qualities or attributes that can positively impact others, at least in the short term.
“i didnt install her there to make love to her”
The use of the word “didn’t” (did not) negates the accusation or assumption that Gerald had placed Eva Smith in a particular position solely for the purpose of engaging in a romantic or sexual relationship with her. This negation serves to deny any ulterior motives or exploitative intentions.
Emphatic positioning: By placing the phrase “install her there” at the beginning of the statement, Gerald emphasizes the act of arranging or positioning Eva Smith in a specific place or role. This positioning draws attention to the perceived innocence or benevolence of his actions, suggesting that his intentions were not malicious.
Clarification and justification: The phrase “so I could make love to her” provides a clarification and justification for Gerald’s actions. He asserts that his motive for placing Eva Smith in her position was not driven by sexual desires or intentions. This language choice aims to defend his actions and separate them from any immoral or exploitative motives.
“its a hoax of some kind
Downplaying language: The phrase “a hoax of some kind” downplays the significance of the situation by implying that it may be a fabrication or a trick. This choice of words diminishes the gravity of the events unfolding and suggests that Gerald sees the situation as less serious than it appears.
Hedging: The use of the phrase “of some kind” introduces ambiguity and uncertainty. It allows Gerald to maintain a level of skepticism by suggesting that he is not fully convinced about the nature or authenticity of the situation. This hedging language serves to distance himself from any potential implications or consequences.
Indirectness: Gerald’s statement employs indirect language by referring to the situation as “a hoax.” This indirectness allows him to avoid directly confronting or acknowledging the possible wrongdoings or consequences involved. It reflects a desire to avoid personal accountability or responsibility.
Minimizing tone: The overall tone of the statement, characterized by phrases like “some kind” and the word “hoax,” carries a minimizing effect. It suggests that Gerald is attempting to trivialize or dismiss the significance of the matter at hand. This language technique indicates a reluctance to fully engage with the situation or accept its potential implications.
