Key quotes- Gerald Croft Flashcards
“well-bred man about town”
“well-bred”: sophisticated (trained). “about town”: Foreshadowing his affair with Eva.
“now listen darling”
“listen”= imperative verb, believes he’s smarter. Speaks down to Sheila, condescending tone. Believes he has power.
“let’s leave it at that”
Lies- first denies he knew her (to protect reputation), then finally admits saying this. Knows his actions will affect reputation.
“I don’t come into this suicide business”
Immediately blocks Inspector’s search for the truth but can’t. “I don’t”- very defensive.
“I’m rather more upset about this suicide business than I appear to be”
Immediate change, no longer denying. But has to verbalize his sadness, “than I appear to be “could he be lying?
“(distressed) Sorry- I - well, I’ve suddenly realized- taken it in properly that she’s dead”
Affected by her death, has to take a walk, distressed- showing his discomfort. Lots of punctuation- can’t verbalize. Inspector realizes this “at least he made her happy”
“I felt sorry for her”
Sympathizes with her, their affair “wasn’t disgusting”
“Everything’s all right now”
Doesn’t change or consider his actions. These attitudes are ingrained in upper class.
“I didn’t feel about her as she did about me”
Knew she loved him but he didn’t love her, yet still exploited her and had an affair with her.
