GERALD Quotes

Question 1

• Shows his wealth and appearance to emphasise his characters role as representing privilege & upper class
• Foreshadows his later infidelity

Answer 1

“Well bred man about town”-Gerald(Act 1)

Introduction of Gerald

Question 2

• Expectation that he is entitled to
  certain level of respect due to his class,
  even from the law.
• ‘Heavy-handed’
  suggests he is used to softer approach.
• Rhetorical question may suggest he
  does not expect an answer and merely asks to remind the Inspector
  of his place.

Answer 2

“Getting a bit heavy handed, aren’t you, Inspector?” - Gerald (Act 1)

Inspector …

Question 3

• Imperative ‘don’t’ demonstrates his expectation of control/power over the situation as an upper class man.
• Shows he is comfortable issuing orders, even to his own fiancé (Sheila)
• His Instinct to hide the truth foreshadows his own secrecy and denial.

Answer 3

“Don’t say anything to the Inspector!”
-Gerald (Act 1)

Question 4

• Wants Sheila to leave/go to bed so she doesn’t hear aboout the affair
• Covers this intention with a facade of care for her.
• Example of Gerald’s expectation to be in charge/power (upper class) & able to tell people how they should act/feel.

Answer 4

“She’s had a long and tiring day” -Gerald (Act- )

Question 5

• Reluctant to admit his role/connection to Eva/Daisy
• Doesn’t want his secret affair to come out - is vague about his connection to her
• Tries to change subject

Answer 5

“All right. I knew her. Lets leave it at that” -Gerald (Act 1)

Question 6

• Referring to working class women in the Palace Bar. (presumed prostitutes)
• Callous and cruel tone
• focused on appearances and shows lack of understanding about hardships in their lives

Answer 6

“I hate those hard-eyed, dough-faced women.” -Gerald (Act 2)

Question 7

• Gerald is portrayed as a knight in shining armour trope (which works in its own twisted way.)

Answer 7

“You were the wonderful
fairy prince.” - Sheila (Act 2)

(Sheila said this to Gerald with “sharp sarcasm”)

Question 8

• Led Eva on and had this affair despite not having strong feelings. - (Implies him using her for nothing more than a fling)
• Shows the power dynamic due to the class/gender difference
• Viewed the relationship through the lens of his own privileged mindset.

Answer 8

“I didnt feel about her as she felt about me”

-Gerald Act2

Question 9

• Shows the attitudes of the upper classes to deal with situations using money.
  .
• Redeeming quality to the audience, shows he cared more than eric did.

Answer 9

” I insisted on giving her enough money to keep her going” -Gerald (Act 2)

Question 10

• Convincing everyone and himself that he didn’t hurt her by leaving

Answer 10

‘She didn’t blame me at all’ -Gerald (Act2)

Question 11

• Shows Gerald explaining his lack of physical reaction/remorse for the situation

Answer 11

“I’m rather more upset by this business than I appear to be” - Gerald (Act 2)

Question 12

• Eager to focus on something that isn’t about his affair
• Wants to turn someone else into the villain (distraction)
• Gerald taking time to worry and sort this out rather than reflect on his actions - shows his lack of growth and desire to downplay his own wrongdoings

Answer 12

“There isn’t any Inspector, we’ve been had” - Gerald (Act 3)

Question 13

• Assumes Sheila will forget about all his wrongdoings (as he has done)
• Focused on the ring shows his preoccupation with preserving his own status/reputation.
  –> (Rather than fully acknowledging the emotional pain he has caused Sheila or the deeper implications of Eva’s death)

Answer 13

“Sheila …What about this ring?”
-Gerald (Act 3)

These being his last words –> Show his lack of change