Gerald Croft

Evil-doer
Full Name	Gerald Croft
Alias	None
Origin	An Inspector Calls (1945)
Occupation	Businessman
Powers / Skills	Charm
Goals	Marry Sheila (failed) Support Eva/Daisy (successful, then failed) Win Sheila back (failed) Discover the identity of Inspector Goole (successful)
Crimes	Soliciting a prostitute Attempting to Pervert the Course of Justice Obstruction of Justice
Type of Villain	Aristocratic chauvinist

“	It was all over and done with, last summer. I hadn’t set eyes on the girl for at least six months. I don’t come into this suicide business.	„
	~ Gerald Croft to Sheila Birling.

Gerald Croft is one of the two secondary antagonists, alongside (Mrs Birling) in J.B. Priestley's 1945 play An Inspector Calls.

He, along with his fiancé, Sheila and her family are responsible for causing the death of Eva Smith/Daisy Renton.

In the 1948 TV play, he was portrayed by Alastair Bannerman. In the 1954 film, he was portrayed by Brian Worth. In the 1982 TV film, he was portrayed by Simon Ward. In the 1987 play, he was portrayed by Simon Shepherd. In the 2015 TV film, he was portrayed by Kyle Soller, who also portrayed Syril Karn in Andor, and the English dub of Terry in Dragon Quest.

Personality

Gerald is described in the stage directions as "manly", and a "man about town." He is noticeably upper class and of a higher social status than the rest of the Birling family. He is charming, but is later revealed to be chauvinistic after ignoring Sheila to have an affair with Eva/Daisy.

Biography

Background

Gerald is engaged to Sheila birling, the daughter of Arthur and Sybil Birling. He comes from an upper-class family and his father is in the nobility (to Arthur's envy). Prior to his engagement with Sheila (but still during their relationship), he had an affair with Eva Smith/Daisy Renton. His father owns a business in competition with Mr. Birling.

An Inspector Calls

At a dinner party celebrating his and Sheila's engagement, Mr. Birling begins delivering a speech on the future. Gerald asks Mr. Birling if he believes there will ever be war in Europe, to which Mr. Birling categorically (and wrongly) denies. After this, Gerald and Mr. Birling are left alone and discuss business and society. Eric returns, where they begin to generalise about women.

This is interrupted by Edna, who informs them of the arrival of Inspector Goole. Goole informs them that a young girl has died after having swallowed a lot of disinfectant. Goole then begins to quiz Mr. Birling on his background with the deceased girl, who used to work at Mr. Birling's business. Mr. Birling outright denies any responsibility in her death. Sheila is then questioned after recognising the name of the shop Eva/Daisy got employment at after being fired by Mr. Birling. After this, Goole explains that the girl changed her name from Eva Smith to Daisy Renton to start afresh after Sheila causes Eva/Daisy to lose her job.

Gerald reacts to Daisy's name being mentioned. He reveals he met her at the Palace Bar where she became a prostitute to sustain herself. At first, Gerald says that he took pity on her circumstances, and gave her money to support herself and a vacant apartment to move in to. Under more pressure, Gerald reveals that he had a romantic relationship with her. Gerald abruptly ended the relationship, crushing Eva/Daisy further and taking away the only financial and romantic support she had. Sheila realises this was during a Summer when Gerald ignored her, removes her engagement ring and returns it to Gerald. Gerald tries to reconvince Sheila, but Sheila decides they will need to start their relationship over again to see if they have any opportunity of a future knowing this now. Disappointed at this, Gerald leaves the Birlings and goes for a walk.

After Goole leaves, Gerald returns. He reveals that whilst on his walk, he visited the local police station and enquired about the identity of an Inspector Goole. Gerald explains there was no inspector by that name. They then confirm with the police that there is no Inspector Goole, and the infirmary that no suicides have been reported. Gerald expresses relief, as do Mr. and Mrs. Birling. Sheila and Eric contradict them, saying it makes no difference because they still did those things to someone. Gerald tries to soothe Sheila to little avail.

The phone then rings, where Mr. Birling announces the infirmary has informed him a girl has died in identical circumstances to Goole's description, and that the police are on their way.