Morality and Relationships in 'An Inspector Calls': Revising the Male Characters, Gerald: Hero or Villain?

1. Morality and relationships in ‘An Inspector Calls’ Revising the male characters Gerald: Hero or villain?

2. Edwardian England • The Birlings and the Crofts begin the play with a view that they are morally superior to the lower classes. This viewpoint was held by the middle and upper classes of Edwardian England. • Priestley questions this as he brings each character to justice through the Inspector. • What is Gerald’s ‘sin’? • Lust

3. Introduction of Gerald • How does Priestley introduce the character? • Stage directions: “easy well-bred man about town” • What does this say about Gerald’s attitude in Edwardian England? • Socially superior • Secure in his status in society • Navigates Edwardian England with ease

4. Introduction of Gerald • As Act I develops we learn that Gerald comes from an established family • Mr Birling: “comes from an old country family, landed people and so forth” • Why is he marrying Sheila? • To join forces with the Birlings to: “work together for higher costs and lower prices” (Mr Birling) • His viewpoint aligns with Mr Birling’s Capitalist viewpoints.

5. Introduction of Gerald • How does Gerald act towards Sheila in the beginning? • Charming, romantic, but: “is it the one you wanted me to have?” (engagement ring) • What is Sheila’s nagging doubt? • Sheila: “last summer when you hardly came near me” • What is Mrs Birling’s response? • Mrs Birling: “something you have to get used to” • How does Gerald position himself once the Inspector begins questioning Mr Birling? • Gerald:“[he] couldn’t really have done anything else”

6. Gerald’s part in the chain of events: • How does Gerald react to his realisation that he was involved? • Gerald: “we can keep it from him” (to Sheila, alone on stage) • How does he deal with it once he’s admitted his involvement? • “soft brown hair and big dark eyes” (about Daisy/Eva) • “Joe Meggarty….had her wedged into a corner with that obscene fat carcass of his” • “I insisted on Daisy moving into those rooms” • What is Sheila’s response to this? • She gives the engagement ring back • Sheila: “You were the wonderful fairy prince. You must have adored it”

7. Gerald’s part in the chain of events: • Do we forgive him once he apologises to Sheila? • “I’m rather more upset about this business that I probably appear to be” • “I did keep a girl last summer…and I’m sorry Sheila” • “what about this ring?” • Gerald is the character who tries to find out more about the Inspector: “there isn’t any such Inspector – we’ve been had”

8. Audience reaction to Gerald? • Post-war audience: • Gerald represents ‘old money’ and Capitalist principles. • He is part of the hypocrisy of Edwardian England. • He would represent the upper classes to a post-war England; the class who out-ranked soldiers in the war, only due to outdated ideas. • Today: • We also see the hypocrisy of the upper classes and the way they do not accept responsibility for their privileges.

9. Morality and relationships in ‘An Inspector Calls’ Revising the male characters Eric: Hero or foolish, spoilt boy?

10. Edwardian England • The Birlings and the Crofts begin the play with a view that they are morally superior to the lower classes. This viewpoint was held by the middle and upper classes of Edwardian England. • Priestley questions this as he brings each character to justice through the Inspector. • What is Eric’s ‘sin’? • Lust and laziness/privilege

11. Introduction of Eric • How does Priestley introduce the character? • Stage directions: “half-shy, half-assertive” • What does this say about Eric’s attitude in Edwardian England? • Socially superior but immature (similar age to Gerald) • Suggestion of feeling awkward with his position?

12. Introduction of Eric • As Act I develops we learn that Eric is treated as a child and has been spoilt with private education and privileges: • Sheila/Eric: “you’re squiffy!”, “Don’t be an ass”, “chump” • don’t interrupt” and “you’ve a lot to learn yet” • “Just keep quiet Eric and don’t get excited” • Yet, he does challenge his parents: • “what about the war?” • As Gerald moves in to the family, Eric’s position as ‘heir to the business’ is gone – so is that why he drinks and is wild in his behaviour?

13. Eric’s part in the chain of events: • How does Eric react to his realisation that he was involved? • “I wasn’t in love with her or anything” • “I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty” • “I was in a hell of a state about it” (pregnancy) • His drinking, forceful actions and then theft from his father turns the audience against him. He also has abused his position of power (along with every other character in the Birling household).

14. Eric’s part in the chain of events: • Eric does, however, accept responsibility and looks to change: • “you’re not the kind of father a chap could go to” • “she came to you to protect me – and you turned her away” • “you’re beginning to pretend that nothing’s really happened” • “you lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can’t”

15. Audience reaction to Eric? • Post-war audience: • Eric is privileged and from a Capitalist family. • He is also part of the hypocrisy of Edwardian England. • However, he rejects his privileges - eventually. Although his journey is a painful and misguided one, he accepts responsibility. • Today: • We also see the hypocrisy of the upper classes and the way they do not accept responsibility for their privileges. However, we may forgive Eric? He could have just paid Eva off – like Gerald did? Do we feel more strongly about his actions towards Eva?

16. Morality and relationships in ‘An Inspector Calls’ Revising the male characters Mr Birling: Inspiring social climber, or greedy business man?

17. Edwardian England • The Birlings and the Crofts begin the play with a view that they are morally superior to the lower classes. This viewpoint was held by the middle and upper classes of Edwardian England. • Priestley questions this as he brings each character to justice through the Inspector. • What is Mr Birling’s ‘sin’? • Greed

18. Introduction of Mr Birling • How does Priestley introduce the character? • Stage directions: “provincial” • He hijacks his daughter’s engagement party: “lower costs and higher prices” • He lectures the younger generation: “as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive” ……. “there’s not going to be any war” …… “a man has to make his own way” • What does this say about Mr Birling’s attitude in Edwardian England? • Socially a climber • Obsessed with status • Capitalist

19. Mr Birling’s part in the chain of events: • As Act I develops we learn that Mr Birling is a social climber. He has had to work hard and has married into ‘old money’, now he is looking to climb further with a knighthood. • Yet, his methods are cold and Capitalist: • “cheap labour” • As the investigation continues, he doesn’t back down: • “still, I can’t accept responsibility” • And wants to cover it up: • “there’ll be a public scandal” • “I’ve got to cover this up”

20. Mr Birling’s part in the chain of events: • He does show a glimmer of regret: • “look Inspector – I’d give thousands – yes thousands” • But is quick to change his mind to a relieved one: • “this makes all the difference. Yes, all the difference”

21. Audience reaction to Mr Birling? • Post-war audience: • He has Capitalist viewpoints and will not change. • He is also part of the hypocrisy of Edwardian England. • Today: • We may see Mr Birling as a social climber and admire his willingness to work hard. However, he has no moral compass. He is Capitalist to the core and his greed overwhelms him.

22. Morality and relationships in ‘An Inspector Calls’ Revising the female characters Mrs Birling: Product of her class, or just blinkered?

23. Edwardian England • The Birlings and the Crofts begin the play with a view that they are morally superior to the lower classes. This viewpoint was held by the middle and upper classes of Edwardian England. • Priestley questions this as he brings each character to justice through the Inspector. • What is Mrs Birling’s ‘sin’? • Pride

24. Introduction of Mrs Birling • How does Priestley introduce the character? • Stage directions: “rather cold woman” “her husband’s social superior” • What does this say about Mrs Birling’s attitude in Edwardian England? • ‘old money’ • Proud and socially superior • Wants to keep social protocols (rules)

25. Introduction of Mrs Birling • As the play develops we learn that Mrs Birling keeps to social rules and enjoys using her privileges • “I consider that a trifle impertinent Inspector” • “my husband is a close friend….” • She treats Eric and Sheila as young children and doesn’t have a close relationship with them. • She refuses to believe the stories about Joe Meggarty

26. Mrs Birling’s part in the chain of events: • She had both the means and opportunity to help Eva/Daisy, yet didn’t. • “she called herself Mrs Birling……naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her” • And refuses to accept responsibility: • “I’ve done nothing wrong and you know it” • “I was perfectly justified” • Even at the end, her pride prevails: “I was the only one who didn’t give in to him”

27. Audience reaction to Mr Birling? • Post-war audience: • She is the most hypocritical character. • She tries to conceal the corruption of the upper classes. • Today: • We may see Mrs Birling as ‘stuck’ in her ways. She is too proud to admit anything and change. We perhaps enjoy her downfall more than anyone’s!

28. Morality and relationships in ‘An Inspector Calls’ Revising the female characters Sheila: Spoilt girl or hope for the future?

29. Edwardian England • The Birlings and the Crofts begin the play with a view that they are morally superior to the lower classes. This viewpoint was held by the middle and upper classes of Edwardian England. • Priestley questions this as he brings each character to justice through the Inspector. • What is Sheila’s ‘sin’? • Jealousy

30. Introduction of Sheila • How does Priestley introduce the character? • Stage directions: “pretty…rather pleased with life” • What does this say about Sheila’s attitude in Edwardian England? • Spoilt and privileged • Sheltered

31. Introduction of Mrs Birling • As the play develops we learn that Sheila is treated as a child but also has an instinct that is not in line with her parents’: • “mummy” • “but they’re not cheap labour – they’re people” • She suspects Gerald, but is not confident enough to directly challenge him.

32. Sheila’s part in the chain of events: • She has an immediate, emotional response, still showing childish jealousy: • “oh how horrible…. Was she pretty?” • And she still lacks confidence (unlike Eva/Daisy): •  “she looked as though she could take care of herself” • Through her family’s privileges, she abuses her power yet quite quickly accepts responsibility. She turns her back on her family and asserts herself: • “Mother I think it was cruel and vile” • “you’re the children” • “I suppose we’re all nice people now”

33. Audience reaction to Mr Birling? • Post-war audience: • Likely to forgive Sheila – as the youngest, she is the hope for the future they want • Today: • We may see her as childish but can see how over-bearing her parents are. Once she gathers confidence, she rejects her privileges – including Gerald.