Gerald's Presentation and Social Class

Gerald character analysis An Inspector Calls reveals him as an ambiguous figure who wields considerable power due to his class and wealth, similar to Mr. Birling. Priestley portrays Gerald as a representative of upper-class men who are outwardly respectable but abuse their power for personal gain. This portrayal serves to critique the social hierarchy and promote the idea of collective responsibility.

Highlight: Gerald's character embodies the concept of "respectable" upper-class men who exploit their position for personal pleasure.

Priestley's portrayal of Gerald's social class is evident in his actions towards Eva Smith. While Gerald attempts to justify his behavior by claiming he made Eva happier than she had ever been, this rationalization exposes the patronizing attitude of the upper class towards the less fortunate. Priestley uses this to emphasize his message that we are "all members of one body" and should treat each other with equal respect.

Quote: "She'd been happier than she had ever been before."

The playwright presents Gerald's support of Eva as potentially challenging social expectations, which could be seen as a step towards a more socialist society. However, this action is ultimately overshadowed by Gerald's self-serving motivations, reinforcing Priestley's critique of capitalist values and their conflict with Christian principles of compassion and equality.

Definition: Socialism: A political and economic theory advocating for collective ownership and democratic control of the means of production and distribution of goods.