Gerlad Croft

Question 1

1. “You seem to be a nice well-behaved family—”

Answer 1

What: Compliments the Birlings at dinner before the Inspector arrives
• How: Dramatic irony = masks the dysfunction about to be revealed
    Adjective “well-behaved” = naive judgement
    Dash = hesitation, awkward politeness
• Why:
  - Priestley mocks upper-class illusions of respectability
  - Builds theme of appearances vs truth

Question 2

2. “I don’t come into this suicide business.”

Answer 2

What: Denies any involvement with Eva’s death
• How: Noun “business” = detached, corporate tone
    Short declarative = defensive, self-protective
    Tone = dismissive
• Why:
  - Priestley shows how the privileged distance themselves from guilt
  - Highlights resistance to accountability

Question 3

3. “All right. I knew her. Let’s leave it at that.”

Answer 3

• What: Admits connection to Eva but wants to stop discussion
• How: Imperative “let’s leave it” = control
    Clipped syntax = tension, reluctance
    Tone = evasive
• Why:
  - Priestley exposes how powerful men conceal shameful truths
  - Suggests concern for image over morality

Question 4

4. “She was young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful.”

Answer 4

• What: Describes Eva emotionally during their affair
• How: Romantic triplet = idealised view of her
    Superlative “intensely” = overemphasises her dependency
    Tone = nostalgic, possessive
• Why:
  - Priestley critiques how men romanticise imbalanced relationships
  - Challenges audience to question true motives behind ‘kindness’

Question 5

5. “I became at once the most important person in her life.”

Answer 5

What: Claims he was central to Eva’s happiness
• How: Superlative “most important” = inflated ego
    First-person dominance = control
    Tone = proud, self-centred
• Why:
  - Priestley exposes emotional manipulation masked as care
  - Reveals imbalance of power in their relationship

Question 6

6. “I didn’t ask for anything in return.”

Answer 6

What: Justifies the relationship as generous
• How: Defensive tone = self-preservation
    Verb “ask” = implies favour, not equality
    Short, clipped sentence = quick deflection
• Why:
  - Priestley questions the sincerity of ‘charity’ in power imbalances
  - Undermines the idea of selfless exploitation

Question 7

7. “That man wasn’t a police officer.”

Answer 7

What: Reveals Inspector Goole wasn’t real
• How: Declarative tone = feels triumphant
    Noun “man” strips authority from “Inspector”
    Dismissive phrasing = erases moral weight
• Why:
  - Priestley shows obsession with surface truth over moral truth
  - Warns audience not to focus only on legality

Question 8

8. “What girl? There were probably four or five different girls.”

Answer 8

• What: Tries to suggest Eva wasn’t a single real person
• How: Rhetorical question = deflection of guilt
    Vague plural “four or five” = deliberate confusion
    Tone = cynical, dismissive
• Why:
  - Priestley critiques how facts are used to erase moral accountability
  - Audience sees Gerald as evading responsibility

Question 9

9. “Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?”

Answer 9

What: Tries to resume engagement after crisis appears to be over
• How: Symbolism of “ring” = return to old order
    Present tense “is” = ignores growth
    Interrogative = pressuring Sheila
• Why:
  - Priestley shows failure to learn or grow
  - Highlights danger of reverting to comfort after temporary guilt