Gerald Croft Quotes & Analysis – An Inspector Calls (AQA GCSE)
Gerald Croft is Sheila Birling’s fiancé and the son of a wealthy industrialist. At first he appears charming,
confident and respectful, but the Inspector’s investigation reveals that he had an affair with Eva Smith
(calling herself Daisy Renton). Priestley uses Gerald to explore hypocrisy, gender and class privilege, and to
show how some members of the upper class try to escape responsibility.
- Curated top 10 exam quotes for Gerald Croft.
- Clear explanations of class, gender and responsibility.
- Act-by-act and theme-based breakdowns for AQA GCSE English Literature.
- Example Grade 8–9 paragraph you can adapt in the exam.
Who is Gerald Croft? (Context for AQA GCSE)
Gerald is older than Sheila and seen by Mr Birling as an ideal match because the marriage would link the
Birling business with the more successful Crofts. During the play we discover that Gerald rescued Eva/Daisy
from Alderman Meggarty in the Palace bar, set her up in a flat and then had a secret affair with her. He did
genuinely care for her, but he ended the relationship when it became inconvenient. By the end of the play
Gerald tries to prove the Inspector was not real, suggesting he is more interested in protecting his
reputation than accepting responsibility.
Top 10 Gerald Croft Quotes to Memorise
The casual phrase “this suicide business” sounds cold and dismissive, making it ironic when we discover
how deeply involved he actually was.
power imbalance between them. Use this quote to explore how Priestley shows even apparently kind actions
can still be controlling.
It supports interpretations that he used his privilege to enjoy a relationship he could walk away
from, while she was left heartbroken and vulnerable.
The phrase “intensely grateful” suggests he enjoyed having power over her. Good for questions on
gender and class exploitation.
into a sexual relationship with Eva. This quote is useful when exploring how characters try to
justify their behaviour to the Inspector and to themselves.
true emotions. You can use this to argue that he does feel genuine guilt, even if he later tries
to minimise it.
tries to restore the engagement. This suggests he has learned little from the experience. Excellent
for questions on whether characters change by the end of the play.
comfortably he fits into the capitalist system. Use this to compare him with Eric and Sheila, who are
more critical of Mr Birling.
it at that” shows his desire to hide the full truth, which builds tension and dramatic irony.
shaken when he finally accepts Eva is dead. You can use this to argue that he is a more complex
character than Mr and Mrs Birling.
Gerald Croft Quotes by Act
Act 1
In Act 1, Gerald appears confident and respectable. He supports Mr Birling’s decisions and tries to keep
the mood light.
Act 2
Most of Gerald’s important quotes appear in Act 2, when he admits his relationship with Daisy Renton.
Act 3
In Act 3, Gerald leads the attempt to prove the Inspector was not real, trying to restore the status quo.
Gerald Croft Quotes by Theme
Responsibility and Evasion
- “I don’t come into this suicide business.”
- “All right, then, I knew her. Let’s leave it at that.”
- “Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?”
Class, Power and Gender
- “She was young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful.”
- “I made her take some money to keep her going there, at least until she refused to take any more.”
- “I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me.”
Guilt and Emotion
- “I’m rather more – upset – by this business than I probably appear to be.”
- “Sorry – I – well, I’ve suddenly realised – taken it in properly – that she’s dead –”
Sample Grade 8–9 Exam Paragraph on Gerald Croft
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley presents Gerald Croft as a charming but morally weak member of the
upper class who tries to escape responsibility for his actions. When he first admits knowing Eva, he insists,
“I didn’t ask for anything in return,” as if his financial support was completely selfless. However, his later
description of her as “young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful” suggests he enjoyed the
power he held over her and expected her gratitude. At the end of the play, Gerald’s attempt to reassure Sheila
– “Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?” – shows that he has learned little from the
Inspector’s visit. By contrasting Gerald’s desire to return to normal with Sheila and Eric’s new sense of
responsibility, Priestley criticises those in power who are willing to ignore uncomfortable truths in order to
protect their own comfort and status.
Gerald Croft Quotes – Quick FAQ
How many Gerald Croft quotes should I learn for AQA GCSE?
Around 6–8 key quotes is enough. Focus on lines that show his affair with Eva (“I didn’t
feel about her as she felt about me”), his attempts to justify himself (“I didn’t ask for anything in
return”) and his refusal to change at the end (“Everything’s all right now, Sheila”).
What is the best Gerald quote for writing about responsibility?
“I don’t come into this suicide business” is powerful because it shows Gerald’s early denial. You can
then contrast this with his later confession and his attempt to prove the Inspector was not real.
How does Priestley use Gerald to explore gender and class?
Gerald’s relationship with Eva shows how wealthy men could use their status to control vulnerable women.
Describing her as “young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful” suggests he was attracted
not only to her looks but also to the power he had over her life.
Does Gerald change by the end of the play?
Gerald shows some guilt, but his final attempt to give Sheila the ring again suggests he has not truly
changed. Unlike Sheila and Eric, he is willing to pretend nothing happened once the Inspector’s identity
is questioned.
More An Inspector Calls Character Quotes
Use these pages for other AQA GCSE character quotes and analysis: