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Essay Title​ - How is Gerald presented?
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Stereotypical (theme: Gender/Appearance vs Reality)
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Self-satisfied (theme: Morality)
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Sycophantic (theme: Relationships/Class)
Paragraph 1​ – Gender/Appearance vs Reality – Acts as the “knight in shining armour”
OVERALL​ – Reflects the misogyny and power of the upper classes – ability to help but don’t use it
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‘​(​too manly to be a dandy, but very much the young-man-about-town)​’​
o
Shows him as the stereotypical upper-class gentleman who is a direct product of his parents and
class
o
From the outset there appears to be a contraction in his character – reflects upper class?
Reputable, confident exterior with a secret?
o
Foreshadowing ‘young-man-about-town’ reminiscent of language used for the ‘women of the
town’ that he visits at the Palace Bar
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Some social comment on the role of men/women? ‘man-about-town’
connotes sophistication/socialness, whereas ‘women of the town’ connotes
prostitution/immorality
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‘​I think Miss Birling ought to be excused from further questioning​’
o
Selfishly trying to protect Sheila (or really trying to protect his own reputation)
o
See women as inferior, needing controlling and protecting – appears to belittle her, treating her
like a child
o
Hypocritical, as the Inspector says, ‘​You think young women ought to be protected against
unpleasant and disturbing things?​’ ​– A
​ ppearance vs Reality?
o
Singular pronoun – selfish wish to take sole credit for protecting her
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‘​I hate those hard-eyed, dough-faced women
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You must have adored it,
Gerald​’
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Implication that he likes to be the centre of attention
o
Almost learnt his lesson, then switched back – his upper-class connections allowed him to figure
this out
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​(holds up engagement ring) ​What about this ring?’​
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Acting like the knight in shining armour despite having been proved to be a liar with
questionable morals
o
Is quick to forgive himself even though his actions and their consequences have not changed
o
Ring represents forgiveness – if they get re-engaged, everything will go back to normal
Paragraph 3​ – Relationships/Class– Sycophantic
OVERALL ​– Sucks up to Mr Birling and shows how the capitalists worked together to oppress the lower classes
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‘​You couldn’t have done anything else​’
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Using flattery to impress Mr Birling

Cements the idea that he is also a capitalist and on Mr Birling’s side – Highlights the tensions
between Eric and Mr Birling
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[Eric in same situation] – ‘​He could
...
​’
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[Birling to Gerald] – ‘​You’re just the kind of son-in-law I always wanted​’
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Hyperbole used as a persuasive device – clearly other options
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Declarative sentence – confident in his beliefs vs Eric’s anaphora/hesitated stuttering
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‘​I insist on being one of the family now​’
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‘insist’ appears overly forceful – feeling guilty about the summer so is making up for it by trying
too hard?
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Phrased more like a command but comes across as him making an effort to be part of the
family
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Wants to make sure the marriage goes ahead – genuine love for Sheila or wants the
business opportunity
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Foreshadows the breakdown of the family and him ironically ending closer to the parents than
Sheila and Eric at the end of the play
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‘​Well you were right…We’ve been had

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