Responsibility/Gerald Croft 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.
“Yes I think you were (justified in getting Eva sacked” // “you couldn’t have done anything else”
On the one hand, Gerald’s support for Mr Birling’s convictions, is necessary for Gerald to uphold good relations with his future father-in-law and therefore he aligns himself with Mr Birling’s views.
However, it seems more likely that this is Gerald’s legitimate belief as he will inherit the Croft family business and thus is a true capitalist at heart.
“He at least had some affection for her and made her happy for a time”
The Inspector notes that Gerald’s kindness towards Eva separates him from the rest of the characters as “he at least had some affection for her and made her happy for a time”. Yet, the help that he provided to Eva was in his own interest as he admits that he must have been a “wonderful fairy prince” to Eva.
