Key Character: Gerald

Question 1

‘’Everything’s all right now, Sheila’’ - Gerald

Summary
Technique
Meaning

Answer 1

• Gerald thinks once the Inspector leaves, they can forget everything- as if nothing truly serious happened.

Technique : deeply ironic, juxtaposition
Meaning: as Gerald trying to comfort Sheila that the worst is over starkly contrasts with the truth

• The audience understands that the characters’ unscrupulous (immoral) actions remain interconnected , and their lack of remorse ensures this
• Gerald represents (symbolises) how the upper class avoid blame and refuse change.
• His denial acts as an allegory (hidden message) about the dangers of ignoring moral responsibility.
• Gerald’s refusal to take responsibility contrasts with Priestley’s call for emancipation (freedom) from selfishness and inequality, urging post-war audiences to reflect on their actions.
• The Class System in Edwardian Britain entrenched divisions (built in divisions) between the nouveau riche (new wealth), bourgeois (business owners), and the proletariat (working class).
• Gerald’s dismissal of the situation reflects the dehumanising (not treated as a human) attitudes of the nouveau riche (new wealth) towards those they exploit
• Priestley follows Aristotle’s three unities of time, place, and action. For example, he follows the unity of action by focusing the play on one plot—the death of Eva Smith. This allows him to keep the audience’s attention focused on the negligence of responsibility, as exemplified through characters like Gerald, towards the plight (struggle) and death of Eva. This reinforces Priestley’s message that the social elite, even when faced with their moral transgressions (wrongdoings), still absolve (free) themselves from responsibility.

Question 2

“Not if it was just after the holidays. They’d be all broke – if I know them.” (Act 1) - Gerald

Answer 2

• pejorative language
• dismissed financial struggles of the working class
• dismissive and belittling of the problem
• dehumanises working class
• reducing them to a stereotype of being financially irresponsible

Question 3

Pejorative Language

Answer 3

language that expresses disapproval or conveys a negative attitude