Analysis of Gerald in "An Inspector Calls
Explore the character of Gerald in "An Inspector Calls," examining his actions, motivations, and relationships. This analysis delves into Gerald's behaviors towards Eva, his similarities to the Birlings, and his response to the Inspector's message of social responsibility. Ultimately, it reveals how wealth and class influence Gerald's moral compass and his inability to truly change.
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Revision: An Inspector Calls Who said it? 1.) we are members of one body 2.) Everything s all right now Sheila (holds up the ring) 3.) mixed up like bees in a hive 4.) I m ashamed of you 5.) Well, really! Aldermand Maggarty! I must say we are learning something tonight!
Revision: An Inspector Calls Who said it? 1.) we are members of one body The Inspector link this to all characters 2.) Everything s all right now Sheila (holds up the ring) Gerald 3.) mixed up like bees in a hive Mr Birling hates socialism 4.) I m ashamed of you Eric 5.) Well, really! Aldermand Maggarty! I must say we are learning something tonight! Mrs Birling
Give all the good things that Gerald did and the bad things that Gerald did Gerald: Good or Bad? Good Bad Did he care about Eva? Is he like Mr and Mrs Birling? Did he learn from the Inspector s message of we are members of one body Does he try and cover up what happened? Does he hurt Sheila/love her? Is he like the younger generation?
Main idea: He is used to show that he had the potential to change like the younger Approaching Gerald generation but he couldn t because he is upper class and wealthy Paragraph 1: Potential/ good He wanted to look after Eva when he got her food and a place to stay it shows he cares for others in other social classes Paragraph 2: Won t change/bad He only wanted Eva because of her looks Paragraph 3: Hasn t learned social responsibility/bad Link to we are members of one body and how he doesn t absorb that message when he tries to cover it all up at the end like Mr Birling Conclusion: He is more like Mr and Mrs Birling than Sheila and Eric- Priestley uses him to show that wealth can cloud your morals to do the right thing. With a Gerald essay GIVE BALANCE Start with the GOOD Then BAD
Gerald cant change because his attitudes towards the lower class are SO INGRAINED into him because he is well-bred
The Inspector says that Gerald made her happy for some time we can keep it from him Everything s all right now Sheila [holds up the ring]
Task: Write a paragraph that shows that Gerald didn t learn from The Inspector Although Gerald felt upset and genuinely saddened by Eva s death, by the end of the play, he still has not absorbed the Inspector s message that we are members of one body and should accept our responsibility of looking after others. This is clear because Gerald, like Mr Birling, is willing to cover up their involvement in her suicide and carry on as normal when he thinks that the Inspector was a hoax and he says to Sheila Everything s all right now Sheila [he holds up the ring] . Priestley here is showing the 1945 audience that Gerald has not changed his ignorant upper class ways because he appears to have forgotten what has happened and has the audacity to say that everything s all right now . The phrase all right carries a flippant and almost relieved tone to suggest that Gerald, like upper class people of 1912, would lack any remorse for their actions against the lower classes. Moreover the stage direction [holds up the ring] is used deliberately by Priestley to anger the audience and make us dislike his lack of change compared to Sheila and Eric who are frightened and ashamed by their parents because here, he is doing all he can to return back to normality and make Sheila agree to their marriage. Perhaps, it suggests that Gerald is only concerned about money like a typical capitalist because the only reason he wants Sheila to marry him is to continue with the marriage like a business transaction where the Birling and Crofts can merge businesses for profit. This reinforces the cyclical nature of Gerald because he has returned to his capitalist focus at the beginning of building business and profit which is cold considering that he is disregarding all that he has done to play a part in a working class woman s suicide. It also demonstrates his lack of change in respect for Sheila because he almost seems proud and arrogant to show off the ring again and he believes that Sheila will accept the ring for its materialistic value when in fact she has changed and deepened a divide by learning to accept her guilt and care for others.
Wednesday 16th May 2018 C/L Inspector Calls Thematic Exam Preparation
Brainstorm all the possible themes you think could be an exam question Theme possibilities
Guilt Essay: Look at how each character feels guilt Message: Younger generation do because they learn we are members of one body
Responsibility Essay: Look at how each character feels responsibility Message: Younger generation do because they learn we are members of one body
Working Class Essay: Eva represents the working class and the treatment she receives changes some but not all Message: Younger generation feel the guilt of their treatment and want to treat all classes equally- hope for society.
Greed/Capitalism Essay: How greed/capitalism makes us ignorant of treatment of others. Message: Capitalism creates ignorant, cold people that builds a society which cannot function properly without destroying other peoples lifes.
Come up with a structure for each essay aim for 3 paragraphs tops Remember: 5 in total with intro and conc Task: Idea: Treatment of working class changes younger generation but not older generation P1: Working class are abused for profit by Mr Birling. Look at his attitude hard-headed businessman mixed up like bees in a hive P2: Mrs Birling shares the same view and is disgusted by working class/belittles Eva as a little girl girls of that class though naturally I don t know anything about this girl P3: Despite their parents capitalist views Sheila and Eric learn from the Inspector and want to respect and be responsible for the treatment of the working class these girls aren t cheap labour they re people why shouldn t they try for higher wages it frightens me the way you talk
