Table of Contents
- 1 How does Priestley use the character of Gerald Croft to present his ideas about social responsibility?
- 2 What social class is Gerald Croft?
- 3 How does Priestley present Gerald Croft?
- 4 How does Priestley present Gerald model answer?
- 5 What does Birling tell Gerald that he hopes will impress Lady Croft?
- 6 How does Priestley present Gerald introduction?
Priestley uses the character of Gerald to represent the individualismof the upper-class. Therefore, Priestley uses Gerald’s failure to develop his sense of social responsibility, to convey how entrenched these upper-class attitudes are; even death won’t change them.
Upper class
Eric Birling The typical rich and irresponsible son of wealthy parents. An outcast from his father; disagrees with his father’s viewpoints but finds it hard to find his place. Inspector empowers him to change and speak up to his Father. Gerald Croft Upper class, son of a rival business owner.
How does Priestley use the character of Gerald to explore the theme of gender and class?
Priestley shows how Gerald used Eva to nurse his own ego, as she made him feel “important” and powerful. He suggests masculinity is fragile and depends on the submission of women for validation. Gender and sexism are not the main focuses of Priestley’s play.
What is Priestley’s message about Gerald?
Priestley’s message Priestley uses Gerald as a symbol to represent the selfish attitudes of the upper class. The fact that Gerald doesn’t change his attitudes conveys how ingrained this attitudes were in the aristocracy, and how difficult it was to change them.
How does Priestley present Gerald Croft?
Priestley uses Gerald to attack the upper-classes of post-war Britain. He shows that despite outward appearances, Gerald is described as an ‘attractive chap’ and ‘well-bred’. This class of people were still capable of questionable behaviour. Gerald has an affair and initially tries to avoid telling the truth.
How does Priestley present Gerald model answer?
How does Priestley present the character of Gerald Croft? The fiancé of Sheila Birling. Gerald is presented as somewhat of a sympathetic character when it is revealed he was discreet in the affair, did not impregnate her and started the relationship out of a genuine desire to help her.
How does Priestley use Gerald Crofts status to show his ideas about society?
How does Priestley present Gerald as a man about town?
Gerald is described as ‘an attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy but very much the easy well-bred young man-about-town’. Mr Birling is very pleased that Gerald is getting engaged to Sheila because his family are upper-class business owners, Mr Birling hopes they can join forces in business.
What does Birling tell Gerald that he hopes will impress Lady Croft?
Birling tells Gerald that he thinks he may soon receive a knighthood. He hopes this will impress Gerald’s mother, ‘Lady Croft,’ an aristocrat who he knows to be somewhat unimpressed by the social standing of the Birlings.