Final answer:
Everyone likely wants Gerald to confront his shyness and encourages him to take action that requires courage, as this could lead to personal growth and response to a situation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the context provided, it sounds like Gerald is experiencing a situation that is putting him outside of his comfort zone, possibly testing his courage or pushing him to overcome his shyness. In literature, characters like Gerald are often encouraged by others around them to face their fears or challenges to grow and develop. The excerpts from different texts show characters dealing with fear and anxiety, displaying a universal theme where characters must encounter their inner struggles.
It seems that everyone wants and encourages Gerald to confront his shyness. They may wish for him to speak up, engage more with others, or take an action that requires boldness. This could be due to belief in Gerald's potential or a situation that necessitates his participation, as implied by the supportive or challenging environments described in the examples.