Gerald Flashcards
How is Gerald described in the opening
‘An attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy, but much the easy well-bred man about town’
Dandy - neat, tidy, well dressed
Manly - strong assertive, confident, serious
Well-bred man about town - well known, laddies man
How is Gerald presented as Honourable and Dishonourable
‘I broke it off definitely’
‘I didnt ask for anything in return’
‘I made her take some money’
‘I have suddenly realised - taken it in properly- that shes dead’
Dishonourable.
‘You were her wonderful fairy prince’ (said by Sheila)
‘She looked young fresh and charming’
‘Yes I suppose it was inevitable’
‘I became at once the most important person in her life’
‘All right - I did for a time. Nearly any man would have done’
How did Gerald take advantage of Eva Smith
By giving her a place to stay, she felt that she had to repay him in some way
Their is a power imbalance in this relationship, Gerald could kick Eva out at any time
How does Gerald react when the Inspector is not real
Gerald is the one that works this out.
He agrees with Mr Birling that it makes a difference ‘of course’
‘Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?’
He acts as if nothing happened
How does Priestley use Gerald
He uses Gerald to show the selfish attitudes of the upper class, and how not everyone can change.
Gerald’s character seems friendly at the beginning but by the end we see his selfish ways (e.g.cheating on Sheila)
How is gerald shown to know the problems of the upper class
He describes ‘alderman meggarty’ as a ‘notorious womaniser’ from who he had to save Eva
How is Gerald different to the family
He has less flexible ideals than Sheila and Eric, however he does accept is faults and role in Evas suicide, unlike Mr Birling
