Character Profile: Gerald Croft

Gerald Croft is a pivotal character in J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls. As a member of the aristocratic Croft family and the fiancé of Sheila Birling, Gerald embodies the intersection of privilege, responsibility, and moral ambiguity. His character not only highlights key social dynamics of the Edwardian era but also serves as a lens through which the play’s central themes - social responsibility, hypocrisy, and class - are explored.

Background and Context

Gerald is described as an attractive, well-bred young man in his early thirties. The son of Sir George and Lady Croft, owners of the prosperous Crofts Limited, Gerald comes from a family of higher social status than the Birlings. His engagement to Sheila represents more than just a romantic union—it symbolises a potential merging of business interests between the Crofts and Birlings. This alliance underscores the transactional nature of relationships among the upper classes during the period, where personal ties were often intertwined with financial and social ambitions.

Gerald’s character is representative of the privilege and entitlement afforded to the upper classes in 1912. Despite his friendly demeanor, his actions and attitudes reveal underlying complexities that mirror the moral dilemmas faced by his social class.

Personality and Traits

At first glance, Gerald appears charming, confident, and considerate. His demeanor endears him to the Birlings, particularly Mr. Birling, who regards Gerald as a symbol of success and respectability. Gerald's ability to navigate social situations with ease suggests he is adept at presenting himself in the best possible light. This polished exterior, however, conceals deeper flaws.

Gerald is pragmatic and self-assured but also susceptible to moral compromise. While he initially appears genuinely devoted to Sheila, his behavior over the course of the play casts doubt on the depth of his commitment. Gerald's handling of the situation with Eva Smith (also known as Daisy Renton) reveals a capacity for both compassion and exploitation, showcasing his complexity as a character.

Role in the Plot

Gerald’s involvement with Eva Smith serves as one of the critical revelations in An Inspector Calls. When Inspector Goole arrives to investigate the chain of events leading to Eva's tragic death, Gerald’s past is scrutinised. It is revealed that he had an affair with Eva during the previous summer while he was seeing Sheila. Gerald met Eva, who was then using the name Daisy Renton, at the Palace Variety Theatre - a venue associated with the exploitation of vulnerable women. Feeling sorry for her plight, Gerald provided Eva with temporary accommodation and financial support. However, this seemingly altruistic act was complicated by the romantic and sexual relationship that followed.

Gerald’s treatment of Eva highlights the duality of his character. On the one hand, he showed her kindness and generosity during a difficult time in her life, offering her a reprieve from her struggles. On the other hand, his actions were inherently exploitative, as he took advantage of his power and position. When the affair ended, Gerald discarded Eva, leaving her once again vulnerable and unsupported.

His role in Eva’s story illustrates the systemic abuse of power prevalent among the upper classes. Gerald may not have acted with overt malice, but his actions were representative of the casual disregard for the less fortunate in Edwardian society.

Relationship with Sheila Birling

Gerald’s relationship with Sheila is central to his role in the play. Their engagement initially appears to symbolise a harmonious union between two prominent families, but cracks begin to show as the Inspector’s interrogation progresses. Sheila’s reaction to Gerald’s confession about his affair with Eva reveals her growing disillusionment with him and, by extension, with the values of their class.

Although Gerald attempts to justify his actions, his explanations fail to satisfy Sheila, who begins to see him in a more critical light. The tension between the couple exemplifies the broader conflict between appearances and reality, a recurring theme in the play. By the end, while Gerald seems eager to dismiss the Inspector’s revelations and return to the status quo, Sheila’s reluctance to reconcile suggests a shift in her values, contrasting with Gerald’s static perspective.

Themes and Symbolism

Gerald represents the complacency and self-interest of the privileged classes. His initial charm and respectability are gradually undermined as the audience learns more about his actions. Through Gerald, Priestley critiques the moral hypocrisy of the upper classes, who often mask their exploitation of others under the guise of respectability.

Gerald’s relationship with Eva also reflects the gender and power dynamics of the time. While he may have provided temporary relief for Eva, his actions ultimately reinforced her dependence on men for survival. His treatment of her underscores the vulnerability of women in Edwardian society, particularly those of lower socioeconomic status.

Gerald also serves as a counterpoint to the Inspector. Whereas the Inspector advocates for collective responsibility and social change, Gerald clings to the existing social order. His willingness to dismiss the Inspector’s revelations as a mere hoax highlights his reluctance to engage with uncomfortable truths.

Conclusion

Gerald Croft is a complex and multifaceted character whose actions and attitudes reveal the social and moral failings of his class. While he demonstrates moments of compassion, his inability to fully acknowledge or atone for his mistakes positions him as a symbol of the status quo. Through Gerald, Priestley critiques the self-serving nature of the privileged and challenges the audience to reflect on the consequences of ignoring social responsibility. In the end, Gerald’s failure to change stands in stark contrast to the moral awakening of characters like Sheila, reinforcing the play’s call for greater empathy and accountability.