Gerald Flashcards
How is Gerald described?
‘easy well-bred man about town’
‘attractive chap’
‘too manly to be a dandy’
What is the affect of the terms ‘young and fresh’ to describe Eva Smith?
Young and fresh -> like a piece of meat, implies that something could have spoilt her!
How does Gerald describe Alderman Meggarty?
'old fat carcass' he uses animal language for both eva and meggarty, implying his self importance and awareness of class system, ingrained social contructs
How is Gerald dismissive of his and Eva’s relationship?
‘I became at once the MOST IMPORTANT figure in her life’
‘I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me’
implies this was what to be expected of a girl of ‘that sort’, ensures family he has prospects of marrying into that he was aware and uncomfortable with her infatuation / doesn’t want to admit any feelings towards her
How does gerald hint the relationship meant more to him than he is willing to let on?
’ it wasn’t disgusting ‘
(you adored it) ‘ I did for a time’
Could imply he instinctively defends relationship as he did feel towards her, tho not as intensely
What does Gerald’s dismissiveness of Eva’s social status and their relationship say about his journey?
‘inevitable’ ‘knew it couldn’t last’ ‘Everything’s alright now’
Gerald still wants the Birling’s to approve of him and so he can marry and join their families, earning him a large inheritance!
He has not learnt from the experience or his mistakes, shows Priestley’s frustration at society being aware of its flaws yet unwilling to change as the change will not benefit themselves
Who does Gerald represent in An Inspector Calls?
the young rich and elite, and their selfish attitudes
product of patriarchal environment and hierarchy
disappoints the audience with lack of change
How does Gerald change through the start, middle, and end of the play?
sTART = complacent, self assured ( due to marriage), believes he hasn’t done anything worng
mIDDLE= startled, shaken by the death ( did he care about eva?) paints himself hero, shows signs of change, spurs hope in audience
End = Releived he is not to blame for Eva -> doesn’t need to care anymoe, can continue life as usual
doesn’t change
