Gerald Quotes Flashcards
Themes represented by Gerald
- Social class
- Young vs Old
Gerald presents the theme of social class
Gerald might have mad Eva/Daisy happy for a while, but he treated her badly and took advantage of her social status. He kept her as his mistress for his own pleasure and discarded her when it suited him. He tries to act like the hero or “prince”
Gerald presents the theme of Young vs Old
If it wasn’t for Gerald, it would be easy to state that Mr Birling and Mrs Birling are selfish and unchanging because they’re too old to understand the new prospects of equality. But Gerald’s character shows the younger generation are just as selfish + old fashioned.
Quote to show Gerald as respectful
“The easy well-bred man-about-town”
Quote to show Gerald as traditional
“I should say so!” (Gerald agrees with Birling’s Capitalist views = older generation)
Quote to show Gerald as upper class
“Landed people and so forth”
Quote to show Gerald agreeing with the older generations viewpoint
“You couldn’t have done anything else” - business-minded like Birling. He takes action and is determined to find out whether the Inspector or girl was real. HAS LEARNT NOTHING!
Quote to show Gerald as a liar
“I wasn’t telling you a complete lie”
Gerald’s social status
Birling wants Sheila to marry him to increase their family status, as Gerald is of higher social status than of the Birlings’. Mr Birling is eager to merge two rival companies - the motive of marriage are status based.
