So. Gerald.
His whole attitude to women is deeply shitty. Gerald hates "hard-eyed" women but loves Eva for having "soft dark hair and big brown eyes".
In other words, he likes young and vulnerable women he can manipulate, not experienced and canny women who see through him.
1/
His whole attitude to women is deeply shitty. Gerald hates "hard-eyed" women but loves Eva for having "soft dark hair and big brown eyes".
In other words, he likes young and vulnerable women he can manipulate, not experienced and canny women who see through him.
1/
He highlights her inexperience and naiveity again when he calls her "fresh". He calls her "young" at least twice.
He says she was "intensely grateful" and that he was the "most important" person in her life. So yes, he understands completely the power imbalance between them.
2/
He says she was "intensely grateful" and that he was the "most important" person in her life. So yes, he understands completely the power imbalance between them.
2/
Perhaps Eva did give Gerald a tacit "cry for help". He responds by offering her food and lodging.
In secret. In his friend's flat. Where no-one else knows about her.
3/
In secret. In his friend's flat. Where no-one else knows about her.
3/
Note that Gerald does zero with his name/influence/money to actually help Eva get back into work or financial solvency. He does EVERYTHING to make her entirely dependent on him.
I think this raises a serious question about the sex they have together.
4/
I think this raises a serious question about the sex they have together.
4/
Does Eva consent to sex with Gerald?
I think the sex they have is at best coercive to some extent. Eva, with no safety net, with no-one to escape to or confide it, kept out of the sight of society, has every reason to fear what will happen if she refuses Gerald.
5/
I think the sex they have is at best coercive to some extent. Eva, with no safety net, with no-one to escape to or confide it, kept out of the sight of society, has every reason to fear what will happen if she refuses Gerald.
5/
We learn from Eric later that a "chap turning nasty" is an intrinsic part of male/female sexual relations. And she knows all too well what the wealthy, influential owner class can do to her -- Arthur and Sheila have already been ample proof of that.
6/
6/
Gerald's account of their affair is highly unreliable, especially his account of their breakup being very mutual and amicable. Terribly convenient for him that his secret mistress was so cool with being dumped.
7/
7/
And Gerald 's "oh I'm terribly upset by all this" is paper-thin. Neatly, given how deeply he damaged Eva, he now imagines himself as the wronged party, first by being oh so terribly upset, second by the Inspector hoaxing him.
8/
8/
If you want to see the real Gerald, look at his response to Sheila when she insists on hearing the Inspector's story. Here is a man who has never been challenged by a woman, in a society where women are supposed to turn a blind eye to male indiscretion:
9/
9/
He begins by infantilising Sheila: "It's bound to be unpleasant", then turning against her: "You want to see someone else put through it".
At the end of the play he expects Sheila to take him back, and slot back into the placid, obedient niche he expects women to occupy.
10/
At the end of the play he expects Sheila to take him back, and slot back into the placid, obedient niche he expects women to occupy.
10/
So yeah, Gerald is the worst.
11/11
11/11
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