Character Analysis Of Gerald In J. B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls '

“I didn't ask for anything in return.” How far do you agree that

Gerald is not guilty of exploits Daisy Renton ??

At the beginning of Gerald’s and Daisy relationship, Gerald’s actions towards Daisy Renton throughout the play were not used against her or to exploit the young lady, instead to be a genuine and kind young gentleman helping somebody being sexually harassed by some large older men. However, at times the reader could argue that some of Gerald’s involvements with her were often very suspicious as it seemed the friendship between the two grew into something more intimate. The reasonings for my argument are explained throughout this essay.

Priestly presents Gerald’s character as an over worked young man. At the beginning

of Daisy and Gerald’s relationship he does not exploit Daisy in anyway instead he acts as a true gentleman towards someone in danger. This is because when a hard working business man finishes a long days work he may be entitled to a drink at a bar of his choose and in this case, The Palace Bar which is filled with women of the town. Although, we question this the reader accepts this and it almost seems perfectly reasonable. Gerald takes a seat with his drink, he harshly judges the women except when he spots a beautiful young girl with soft brown hair, big dark eyes and was overall a very pretty girl. This girl was being harassed, physically tormented by a large, strong man and immediately acts on the issue. Gerald doing this then creates him to be the hero of the day, the intimidated girl is gratefully thankful despite being in destress and filled with anxiety after her encounter. He settles her by buying her a drink, giving her the opportunity to talk and calm herself down. Daisy began to gain her confidence back he told her ‘if you don't want any more of that sort of thing, you better let me take you out.’ Gerald offered a warm small room around the area for Daisy to recover. Although, Gerald seemed suspicious and throughout the play the reader seemed to question his decisions and many would argue his behaviour was all out of pure kindness and for no other reason.

However, Priestly creates an uncertainty through Gerald as he does also exploits and takes advantage of Daisy with her extremely fragile egoism and is shown occasionally throughout the book.

At the beginning when they first meet you could argue that Gerald was using this gorgeous young women for other reasons not including how he felt about her safety. A pretty girl in the bar filled with women of the town including herself he may have wanted something in return when thinking of helping Miss Renton. The reader however knows that Gerald received what he was wanting from her the whole time as he admits and states that he had slept with her. However, he also admitted the two fell in love, intimately and emotionally. Priestly suggests that Gerald used Daisy for entertainment and action while Sheila was less interesting who soon became almost fed up of the relationship.

To conclude I believe the reader has sympathy for Gerald as his fiancé is uninterested and when explaining to the inspector and the Birling family his reaction towards the situation caused him to almost break down completely. However, I feel ambivalent to a certain degree and I agree with the statement that was proposed by Gerald. Except at moments in time I

believe