Gerald

Question 1

Morality Play - Lust

Answer 1

Gerald pursues Daisy Renton in a sexual/physical way

Question 2

Dehumanisation of Lower Class Women

‘‘I —- c— —- —- —— b——’’

Answer 2

'’I don’t come into this suicide business’’
He aligns himself with Mrs Birling here. The literal utilization of the noun ‘‘business’’ suggests Daisy is a profession or a trade to make a profit from and is vocabulary associated with manufacturing of enterprise.

Question 3

Lexical Field of Office Work

‘‘I —- in—– — —– – - —- — —- – —’’

Answer 3

'’I didn’t install her there so I could make love to her’’
This lexical field of office work dehumanises Eva again. The verb ‘‘install’’ makes Daisy sound like equipment to be used and manipulated as Gerald sees fit. Alternatively, the verb means to place in position, which has almost debase connotations when linked to sexual desire.

Question 4

Attacks appearance of lower class women
''I ---- th---- hard------ d---- ----- ------''

Answer 4

'’I hate those hard eyed, dough faced women’’
This seems ironic as he uses one as his mistress (Eva) and the capitalism forms of exploitation are the reason these women aged terribly. The verb ‘‘hate’’ emphasises his obsession with appearance, which is fitting for a Birling family obsessed with their public name.

Question 5

Potential to Change
‘’(– - — —— v—-)’’
‘‘g—–’’
‘‘he——’’

Answer 5

’‘(in a low troubled voice)’’ For this fleeting moment, the adjective ‘‘troubled’’ suggests he is emotionally disturbed by his own role in the suicide
‘‘gravely’’
‘‘hesitantly’’
We begin to think he can dispel the boundaries between the two classes

Question 6

Gerald Disappoints the Audience

‘‘H—! H—!’’

Answer 6

After Mr Birling says, ‘‘lower costs, higher prices,’’, Gerald agrees with ‘‘Here! Here!’’. We can see he is supporting Cpaitalism.

At the end of the play, he conforms to his capitalist ways from the opening of Act 1 and brings the message that the Inspector isn’t real

Question 7

Moral Dilemma

‘‘E—— al— n–’’

Answer 7

'’Everything’s alright now’’
Gerald offers Sheila the engagement ring, but she doesn’t take it showing she isn’t controlled anymore.

Gerald’s comment shows he was more worried about being caught than the morality of his actions. Priestley is criticizing the idea that if you do something wrong and get away with it, it apparently becomes okay. He uses the whole play to try and eliminate this attitude and encourage social responsibility.