There’s something strangely entertaining about watching a privileged character squirm under pressure. Enter Gerald Croft—charming, composed, and very good at pretending he has nothing to hide.
J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls gives us a character whose polished exterior cracks under the weight of secrets, making him the perfect target for some biting analysis—and humor.
This post explores Gerald Croft quotes like you’ve never seen them before—funny, ironic, witty, and sometimes downright uncomfortable. These quotes expose the contradictions of his character and invite you to laugh, judge, and perhaps roll your eyes.
1. Gerald Croft Quotes About Responsibility (Or Lack Thereof)
- “We’re respectable citizens and not criminals.”
- “Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?”
- “I didn’t ask for anything in return.”
- “She was young and pretty and warm-hearted—and intensely grateful.”
- “There isn’t any such inspector. We’ve been had.”
- “I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women.”
- “We can keep it from him.”
- “Sheila, I’m not a criminal.”
- “I became at once the most important person in her life.”
- “You couldn’t have done anything else.”
2. Quotes That Show Gerald’s Class Privilege
- “I think my father would agree to that.”
- “You seem to be a nice well-behaved family.”
- “After all, y’know, we’re respectable citizens and not criminals.”
- “It’s what happened to her after she left Mr. Birling’s works that is important.”
- “I was sorry for her… I didn’t ask for anything in return.”
- “That’s all right—I don’t blame you.”
- “She was the most important person in her life—but to me, she was just someone I knew for a few months.”
- “She didn’t blame me at all. I wish to God she had now.”
- “I didn’t install her there so that I could make love to her.”
- “She’d nothing to do with me, really.”
3. Quotes Revealing Gerald’s Charm and Manipulation
- “She was pretty—and a good sport.”
- “She told me her name was Daisy Renton.”
- “I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me.”
- “I became at once the most important person in her life—you understand?”
- “I didn’t feel I could go on seeing her.”
- “I didn’t blame her at all.”
- “I suppose it was inevitable.”
- “I made her go to Morgan Terrace because I was sorry for her.”
- “She was very gallant about it.”
- “I didn’t feel like I could marry her or anything like that.”
4. Quotes That Expose His Hypocrisy
- “I suppose it was inevitable. She was young and pretty and warm-hearted.”
- “It wasn’t disgusting.”
- “You couldn’t have done anything else.”
- “I’m rather more—upset—by this business than I probably appear to be.”
- “I didn’t install her there so I could make love to her.”
- “She was intensely grateful.”
- “Everything’s all right now, Sheila.”
- “Let’s leave it at that.”
- “That man wasn’t a police inspector.”
- “We’re not to blame.”
5. Quotes Highlighting Gerald’s Denial and Evasion
- “We’ve no proof it was the same photograph and therefore no proof it was the same girl.”
- “We can’t leave it at that.”
- “I’m sorry—Sheila.”
- “But how do you know it’s the same girl?”
- “Inspector? I think Miss Birling ought to be excused.”
- “There isn’t any such inspector. We’ve been had.”
- “What girl? There were probably four or five different girls.”
- “This makes a difference, y’know. In fact, it makes all the difference.”
- “We’ve been had, that’s all.”
- “Everything’s all right now.”
6. Quotes That Show His Superiority Complex
- “I don’t come into this suicide business.”
- “I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women.”
- “She told me she’d been happier than she’d ever been before.”
- “She was young and pretty—and grateful.”
- “I helped her because I felt sorry for her.”
- “Sheila, don’t interfere.”
- “I’m not defending it, but you must understand why I behaved like that.”
- “She was—very gallant.”
- “I suppose it was inevitable.”
- “She was intensely grateful.”
7. Quotes That Reveal His Relationship with Sheila
- “Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?”
- “I didn’t ask for anything in return.”
- “I’m sorry, Sheila. But it was all over and done with, last summer.”
- “You were the wonderful fairy prince. You must have adored it.”
- “I hope you don’t mind my coming back?”
- “Sheila, you’ve got it all wrong.”
- “You’ve been through it—and now you want to start again?”
- “I behaved badly too. I know I did.”
- “I’m not defending myself, but I didn’t think it would turn out like this.”
- “We can keep it from the inspector.”
8. Gerald’s Attempts to Justify His Behavior
- “I didn’t install her there so that I could make love to her.”
- “I was sorry for her.”
- “She was—very gallant.”
- “She didn’t blame me at all.”
- “I didn’t ask for anything in return.”
- “I became at once the most important person in her life.”
- “She told me she’d been happier than she’d ever been before.”
- “I broke it off definitely before I went away.”
- “She didn’t want me to marry her.”
- “She understood. I wish to God she had blamed me.”
9. Quotes That Show His Public Persona vs Private Reality
- “You couldn’t have done anything else.”
- “I don’t come into this suicide business.”
- “Everything’s all right now.”
- “Let’s leave it at that.”
- “I’ve admitted it. And I’m sorry.”
- “I’m not defending myself.”
- “I didn’t love her as I love you.”
- “This makes all the difference.”
- “He didn’t photograph me, did he?”
- “I’ve had time to cool off.”
10. Ironic or Sarcastically Interpreted Gerald Quotes
- “We’re respectable citizens.” Translation: We have money, so rules don’t apply.
- “What about this ring?” Translation: Let’s pretend nothing happened.
- “I was sorry for her.” Translation: She was hot and vulnerable.
- “We’ve been had.” Translation: If there’s no inspector, we’re off the hook.
- “I didn’t love her.” Translation: But I definitely liked the arrangement.
- “I didn’t install her for that.” Translation: I totally did, though.
- “I’m not defending myself.” Translation: This is exactly what defending looks like.
- “Everything’s all right now.” Translation: The truth didn’t stick, so we’re good.
- “Let’s leave it at that.” Translation: Let’s not talk about my guilt anymore.
- “It wasn’t disgusting.” Translation: I’m not sorry about enjoying it.
Conclusion
Gerald Croft walks the fine line between charming and hypocritical, and An Inspector Calls gives us a front-row seat to watch his layers unravel.
These Gerald Croft quotes are not only rich in drama but also in irony, making them perfect for anyone who appreciates complex characters and biting commentary.
Which quote hit hardest or made you laugh with its accidental honesty? Share your favorite Gerald moment in the comments, or pass this on to someone who loves their literature with a side of sarcasm and a whole lot of character flaws.
Because sometimes, fictional drama says more about real life than we care to admit.