An Inspector Calls: Gerald Flashcards
(10 cards)
“Where did you get the idea that i did know her”
Responsibility - Guilt demonstrated through immediate defensive tone as he questions the inspector “ where did you get idea that I did know her “ allows Gerald to gage how much Inspector knows and therefore adapt story to be consistent with inspectors knowledge
“He at least had some affection for her and made her happy for a time”
Responsibility - Inspector notes that Gerald’s kindness towards Eva separates him from rest of characters “ he at least had some affection for her and made her happy for a time.” yet the help he provided to Eva was in his own interest as he admits he must have been a “Wonderful fair prince” to Eva.
“[Rather too manly to be dandy]”
Likeable appearance - Priestly describes Gerald in the stage direction as “rather too manly to be dandy” suggesting that he is very much content and confident in his own masculinity
“[Easy well-bred young man about town]”
Likeable Appearance - Gerald is described using an idiomatic phrase suggesting he is a fashionable socialite. This implies charm and status, but may also have plural connotations, hinting at his unfaithful nature. Priestley could be foreshadowing Gerald’s habit of moving through society — including places like the Palace Bar — in search of female companionship.
“I insisted / I made her take some money”
Capitalism - Both monetary exchanges rather than financial aid. Therefore Gerald is disguising prostitution as charity. Priestly use of imperatives bear connotations of power and force; Gerald was always in power and in control
“She was pretty - soft brown hair and big dark eyes - [breaks off] My Gosh!”
Desire and Lust - Use of aposiopesis (abrupt break off in speech) comes directly after Gerald describes her beauty. Revealing Gerald only felt attracted to Eva physically as he feels the greatest grief remembering physical beauty
“Women of the town”
Desire and Lust -Priestley uses euphemistic language to evidence Gerald’s determination to conceal his use of prostitutes as “women of the town”
“I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women”
Desire and Lust - Gerald has a familiarity with prostitutes with a vivid description of them. This opinion of prostitutes is one that can only come from experience.
“It wasn’t disgusting”
Class - Gerald refutes Mrs Birling’s remark about his relationship with Eva being disgusting. Priestly does this to, perhaps, separate Gerald from the older generation of characters and their traditional classist views
“Knew it couldn’t last”
Class - Wasn’t Gerald’s ending of funding that impacted Eva, but rather end of a caring and intimate relationship which pushed her over the edge and onto suicide as this hurt her emotionally. Sudden ending of their relationship evidence through Gerald dropping Eva like a position due to her lower class origins.
