GERALD Flashcards
LIST SOME ADJECTIVES TO DESCRIBE GERALD CROFT:
PROUD: feels he is a trophy husband for sheila
ARISTOCRATIC: upper class - same views as MR B -when MR B fires EVA he says “you couldn’t have done anything else”
MANIPULATIVE: his relation with Daisy Renton bcos he allowed it to - giving her money ect
DUPLICITOUS:- being deceitful - give daisy a flat and then drops her
ADVANTAGED: son of lord croft and lady croft - perfect son in law for the BIRLINGS
CONNIVING: doing something immoral - having a 6th mont affair with Daisy
PHILANDERING: frequently entering into casual sexual relationships with women - daisy despite sheila
CHARMING: “an attractive chap about thirty”
INGRATIATING:- wanting approval - he wins the favour of the BIRLINGS after discovering INSP G isn’t real
STATIC
“We’re respectable citizens and not criminals.” analyse this and what theme does it fit ?
SOCIAL CLASS
✅ Point: Gerald EQUATES wealth and status with morality, suggesting that being upper-class makes someone “respectable” by DEFAULT.
✅ Evidence: The contrast between “citizens” and “criminals” suggests a BLACK AND WHITE WORLD-VIEW, where those with power cannot be at FAULT.
✅ Explanation: This reflects the Edwardian class divide, where the wealthy justified their actions by claiming superiority.
✅ Expand (AO4): CONTEXTUALLY, this reflects Pre-WW1 Britain, where the ARISTOCRACY controlled POLITICS, WEALTH, and INDUSTRY. Priestley critiques this RIGID SYSTEM, suggesting that the working class deserved GREATER RECOGNITION.
“You couldn’t have done anything else.” (To Mr. Birling about sacking Eva) WHAT THEME IS GERALD PORTRAYING ?
SOCIAL CLASS ‘AUTHORITY’
✅ Point: Gerald defends Mr. Birling’s DECISION to SACK Eva, prioritiSing business over HUMAN WELFARE.
✅ Evidence: The PHRASE “couldn’t have done anything else” makes CAPITALIST EXPLOITATION seem INEVITABLE, as if PROTECTING profits is a NECESSITY.
✅ Explanation: Priestley presents Gerald as SYMPATHETIC to capitalist greed, exposing how upper-class men JUSTIFIED the SUFFERING of the POOR
✅ Expand (AO4): This REFLECTS Pre-1912 industrial Britain, where FACTORY WORKERS had no legal protection from DISMISSAL. Priestley CRITIQUES this, warning 1945 audiences that unless SOCIAL CHANGE OCCURS, the working class will remain vulnerable.
P.E.E.E THIS QUOTE “I became at once the most important person in her life.” WHAT THEME IS THIS?
SOCIAL CLASS
✅ Point: Gerald takes PRIDE IN HIS INFLUENCE over Daisy, REINFORCING CLASS SUPERIORITY.
✅ Evidence: The phrase “most important person” highlights how upper-class men CONTROLLED the FATE of WORKING-CLASS WOMEN.
✅ Explanation: Rather than seeing Eva as an individual with AGENCY, Gerald POSITIONS himself as a HEROIC FIGURE.
✅ Expand (AO4): This reflects EDWARDIAN PATRIARCHAL SOCIETY, where rich men could MANIPULATE working-class women while facing no SOCIAL CONSEQUENCE.
“I don’t come into this suicide business.”
Why is gerald not taking blame ? what theme is he exemplifying?
LACK OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
✅ Point: Gerald INITIALLY REFUSES to accept RESPONSIBILITY, DISTANCING himself from Eva’s death.
✅ Evidence: The PHRASE “don’t come into” SUGGESTS DETACHMENT, as though SOCIAL responsibility is OPTIONAL.
✅ Explanation: This highlights UPPER-CLASS PRIVILEGE, where THOSE in power believe they are ABOVE CONSEQUENCES.
✅ Expand (AO4): This REFLECTS Priestley’s SOCIALIST VIEWS, challenging the idea that wealth EXCUSES WRONGDOINGS. WHICH IS PECULIAR AS OF THIS TIME.
“She told me she’d been happier than she’d ever been before.” why isn’t this excusable ? what theme is present? list PEEE
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
✅ Point: Gerald paints himself as Eva’s SAVIOUR, implying that his actions were justified.
✅ Evidence: The SUPERLATIVE “happier than she’d ever been” suggests he IMPROVED HER LIFE, rather than EXPLOITING HER .
✅ Explanation: Gerald avoids true ACCOUNTABILITY, REFRAMING the affair to PROTECT his SELF-IMAGE.
✅ Expand (AO4): This REFLECTS POST-WAR shifts towards accountability, where class privilege was BEING QUESTIONED. Priestley warns THE AUDIENCE.
“That man wasn’t a police officer.” Why does this show lack of responsibility ? list P.E.E.E
✅ Point: Gerald CLINGS to a LOOPHOLE rather than REFLECTING on HIS ACTIONS.
✅ Evidence: His IMMEDIATE focus is on DISPROVING the Inspector, rather than ACKNOWLEDGING the MORAL LESSON.
✅ Explanation: This shows that Gerald doesn’t change, unlike Sheila and Eric, who ACCEPT GUILT.
✅ Expand (AO4): This reflects the THEME OF FALSE SECURITY, where the upper class believed they were UNTOUCHABLE. Priestley warns audiences not to let status EXCUSE WRONGDOING.
“She was young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful.” WHAT THEME IS THIS? how is Gerald perhaps taking advantage of this girl?
GENDER AND POWER
✅ Point: Gerald ROMANTICISES his affair with Eva, using her GRATITUDE to EXCUSE his ACTIONS.
✅ Evidence: The list of ADJECTIVES FOCUSES on her appearance and emotional state, REINFORCING OBJECTIFICATION.
✅ Explanation: This reflects how UPPER-CLASS MEN viewed WORKING-CLASS WOMEN as DISPOSABLE, reinforcing gender and class divides.
✅ Expand (AO4): This REFLECTS Edwardian GENDER ROLES, where women were EXPECTED to be PASSIVE and DEPENDANT on men. Priestley CHALLENGES this OUTDATED VIEW, PROMOTING EQUAL RIGHTS.
“I didn’t install her there so that I could make love to her.” what does this attempt of justifying his wrong-doings show ? What theme ? P.E.E.E
GENDER AND POWER
✅ Point: Gerald ATTEMPTS to justify his actions, DESPITE the clear POWER IMBALANCE.
✅ Evidence: The verb “install” makes Eva sound like an object, REINFORCING MALE DOMINANCE.
✅ Explanation: Priestley PRESENTS Gerald as a man who takes what he wants, only FEELING GUILTY once it’s too late.
✅ Expand (AO4): This reflects the SEXIST DOUBLE STANDARD OF EDWARDIAN SOCIETY—where men were forgiven for affairs, but women were SHAMED.
“You seem to be a nice well-behaved family.” (Before the Inspector arrives) WHAT THEME IS THIS ? P.E.E.E
GENERATIONAL DIVIDE
✅ Point: Gerald INITIALLY believes in the FAMILY’S RESPECTABILITY showing his BLIND FAITH IN THE UPPER-CLASS
✅ Evidence: The phrase “well-behaved” suggests he values APPEARANCE OVER MORALITY.
✅ Explanation: Priestley FORESHADOWS THE HYPOCRISY within the Birling family, exposing THEIR MORAL CORRUPTION
✅ Expand (AO4): This REFLECTS THE PRE-WAR MINDSET, where REPUTATION MATTERED more than ETHICS . Post-war AUDIENCES, having witnessed social change, would REJECT THIS OUTDATED VIEW.
“Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?” what theme is present ? what is Gerald blind to ? P.E.E.E
GENERATIONAL DIVIDE
✅ Point: Gerald FAILS TO LEARN FROM THE NIGHTS EVENTS assuming THINGS CAN RETURN TO NORMAL.
✅ Evidence: The phrase “everything’s all right” DISMISSES the IMPACT of the INSPECTOR’S VISIT.
✅ Explanation: This highlights the generational divide—while Sheila grows, Gerald REMAINS STUCK IN THE PAST.
✅ Expand (AO4): Priestley suggests that true change must COME FROM REJECTING OLD ATTITUDES. This MIRRORS POST-WAR Britain’s SHIFT towards SOCIAL REFORM.
