Gerald Quotes : Responsibility Flashcards
“Where did
you get the
idea that I
did know
her?”
Gerald’s guilt is demonstrated through his immediate
defensive tone as he questions the Inspector “where did
you get the idea that I did know her”. This allows Gerald to
gage how much the Inspector knows and therefore adapt his
story to be consistent with the Inspector’s knowledge.
“Sorry - I -
well, I’ve
suddenly
realised -
taken it in
properly -
that she’s
dead
Gerald’s delayed reaction to her death is diluted with
hyphens as this stammered and staggered speech reveals
the overwhelming sadness he feels. Priestley reveals the
internal conflict within Gerald, between his natural
emotional reaction and his attempt to suppress any
(feminene) emotion that he shows, as he has to remain
masculine in a patriarchal society.
“Leave after
a strike” //
“Said
something
about the
shop too”
Gerald remembers that Eva had to “leave after a strike” and
“said something about the shop too” and therefore confirms
the story of Mr Birling and Sheila. Therefore, Gerald knows
that Eva is the same person, yet he later suggests that
“there’s still no proof it was really the same girl”. Here,
Gerald is trying to excuse his own behaviour and also
convince himself that he is innocent, through breaking the
“chain of events” and therefore implying that his actions did
not lead to a suicide.
