Gerald Flashcards
‘I think my father would agree to that, too.’
Capitalist Gerald shows how similar his family’s beliefs are to the Birlings’ beliefs that the upper-class business owners should have lower costs and higher prices.
Of course, the actual workers would see none of this increased profit.
This presents Gerald as an entitled (feels he deserves special treatment), wealthy, upper-class man with no social responsibility – he agrees with the capitalist ideals, as does his father.
Doesn’t care about individuals
‘I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me.’
Gerald openly admits that he did not really have feelings for Eva, but used her for a sexual relationship and kept her as his mistress
Priestley does this to show how upper-class people would take what they wanted, regardless of the impact on others, or the emotional toil (strain) it could take.
Gerald does not regret his actions, or truly feel sorry for how he treated Eva.
Instead, he sees himself as heroic because he rescued Eva and gave her money.
‘What about this ring?’
Sheila breaks off her engagement to Gerald because she feels that she does not know him, Gerald proves that he has not changed at all by the end.
He offers Sheila the engagement ring back, suggesting that he wants to forget about everything that happened (the affair) and go on with their lives as normal.
He expects Sheila to agree and pretend that the whole ordeal (unpleasant experience) with Inspector Goole has not happened.
This also proves that he has not learnt anything from the story.
