This document includes the quotes and analysis for the characters of Gerald, Eric and Sheila, used by my students to achieve a grade 9 in their English literature GCSE. Each point includes contextual information to support it.
Gerald, Sheila and Eric – Grade 9 character analysis and quotes
Gerald:
- “I suppose it was inevitable” - he claims that their interaction was
unavoidable, highlighting how common it was for upper class men to abuse
their power immorally on lower class women
“Inevitable” means unavoidable or unchangeable and holds connotations with
an unwavering destiny or fate. However, the fact that Gerald uses his social
status to force Eva Smith into his dependence juxtaposes with this as he
described to be able to control her fate. Priestley uses this to show how
morally unacceptable it is for a person to be able to control and manipulate
another person just because of their social status or class and suggests
socialism and a removal of the class system as a way to prevent this sort of
abuse of power
- “so, I broke it off definitely before I went” - shows Gerald’s authority within
the relationship as he holds the power to break it off
The verb “broke” could be referencing not only the relationship but Eva Smith
herself. The fact that Gerald is able to do this enforces Priestley’s message and
highlights the immorality of a person being able to break someone due to the
stark difference in power they have determined by class or gender. Context:
Priestley therefore, encourages more welfare systems and protection for the
poor especially after WW2 when social classes weren’t as divided due to the
collective suffering (e.g. NHS and trade unions)
- “It’s a hoax of some kind” – Gerald describes the whole situation as a “hoax”
despite all the characters’ actions being true. This shows how although the
younger generation consisting of Sheila and Eric to an extent are able to take
responsibility and reflect on their actions, Gerald and the older Birlings believe
that their actions are some how nullified due to the death of Eva Smith not
actually happening. This not only shows which characters are able mature and
bring about change throughout the play, but also how selfish Gerald and the
older Birlings are to the point of not understanding the immorality of their
actions and simply forgetting about them as soon as the situation doesn’t
involve their reputation.
Sheila:
Before
- “mummy”, “daddy”
Shows her naivety and immaturity at the beginning of the play
Also shows her lack of exposure to the rest of society
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