Gerald Croft Flashcards
Overview
Priestley presents Gerald Croft as a sycophantic, narcissistic character, representative of the patriarchal upper class, privileged and self-interested. He expresses some regret for his role in Eva’s death, but exploits and uses her for his own needs, his values remaining unchanged even at the end of the play.
Quotes
‘An attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy but very much the easy well-bred young man-about town.’ - Pg2
‘You couldn’t have done anything else’ - Pg 15
‘It’s bound to be unpleasant and disturbing’ - Pg 27
‘I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me’ Pg 38
‘Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring’ - Pg 71
‘An attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy but very much the easy well-bred young man-about town.’
Point - Priestley presents Gerald as a sophisticated, suave member of the aristocratic upper class.
Choice - He is described as “an attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy but very much the easy well-bred young man-about town.”
Effect - The adjective ‘attractive’ implies his narcissistic character and foreshadows his affair with Eva, which is uncovered later in the play. The phrase ‘too manly to be a dandy’ alludes to his vanity, with ‘manly’ depicting his sophistication and wealthy background, suggesting condescension towards those of a lower class. ‘Young man about town’ emphasises Gerald as an upper-class socialite, and the contradiction of ‘young’ with ‘about thirty’ implies his impulsive and exploitative behaviour toward Eva.
‘You couldn’t have done anything else’
Point - Gerald aligns with Mr Birling’s capitalist views, suggesting his prioritisation of self-interest and wealth over social responsibility.
Choice - During Mr. Birling’s questioning, Gerald agrees with Mr. Birling about what he did to Eva Smith, saying, “You couldn’t have done anything else.”
Effect - This reflects Gerald’s capitalist mindset and his failure to see the moral issues behind his actions, such as firing Eva for a small sum. It highlights his inability to empathise with those less privileged. The contrast between Gerald’s dismissal of the situation and Eric’s vocal criticism suggests that Gerald is not the ideal man he initially appeared to be. Priestley uses this to foreshadow the later revelation of Gerald’s role in Eva Smith’s death, ultimately stripping away the image of a perfect man and revealing his complicity in her suffering.
‘It’s bound to be unpleasant and disturbing’
Point - Gerald is presented as upholding traditional views, implying that women are too fragile to face unpleasant truths, reflecting the patriarchal attitudes of the time.
Choice - At the start of Act 2, Gerald’s statement, “It’s bound to be unpleasant and disturbing,” further exemplifies this. He attempts to shield Sheila from the truth of his affair, not only to avoid accountability but because he perceives her as emotionally fragile and incapable of handling such revelations. This aligns with the Edwardian ideal of women as pure and delicate, needing male protection.
Effect - Gerald’s behaviour highlights his desire to control the situation, prioritising his own reputation over Sheila’s autonomy. By attempting to silence her, he reinforces patriarchal norms where men dictate what women can know or endure. However, his underestimation of Sheila backfires as she insists on confronting the truth, exposing his hypocrisy and moral weakness. Through Gerald, Priestley critiques the self-serving nature of traditional masculinity, which prioritises power and concealment over honesty and equality.
‘I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me’
Point - Gerald is presented as emotionally distant, highlighting the imbalance of power in male and female relationships in a patriarchal society.
Choice - Gerald’s admission, “I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me,” reveals his exploitative and self-serving attitude toward Eva. By using her for a sexual relationship and keeping her as his mistress, Gerald exemplifies how upper-class individuals often prioritised their desires over the well-being of others, regardless of the emotional toll it caused.
Effect - Priestley uses Gerald to critique the arrogance and entitlement of the upper class, exposing their tendency to exploit vulnerable individuals while maintaining a façade of respectability. Despite his actions, Gerald does not express genuine regret or accountability. Instead, he views himself as heroic for providing temporary support to Eva, such as rescuing her and giving her money. This self-perception reflects the upper class’s refusal to accept responsibility, as Gerald frames his exploitative behavior as benevolent. Priestley uses this to emphasise the moral hypocrisy of the upper class and their disregard for social responsibility.
‘Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring’
Point - Gerald is presented as dismissive, showing his desire to restore control and return to normality.
Choice - Gerald’s statement, “Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?” reveals his decision to focus on returning to normalcy by offering the ring, attempting to restore their engagement despite the emotional and moral fallout.
Effect - This highlights Gerald’s naivety and failure to comprehend the depth of the situation, as he overlooks Sheila’s feelings and the moral consequences of his actions. It underscores his shallow view of the events, prioritizing social appearances over genuine reflection and growth. This also reflects Priestley’s critique of the upper class, whose members, like Gerald, resist learning or changing, as he seeks to restore his reputation rather than address his moral failings. This contrasts with Sheila’s increasing awareness and rejection of such dismissive, traditional attitudes.
