If I Were You — Class 9 English Notes

Topics covered in If I Were You

1. 1.If I Were You

   Short Summary

   In the play "If I Were You," a playwright named Gerrard lives alone in a secluded cottage. An intruder, who is a criminal on the run, breaks into Gerrard's cottage with the intention of murdering Gerrard and assuming his identity to escape the law. However, Gerrard, with his wit and quick thinking, manages to outsmart the intruder, traps him in a cupboard, and calls the police.
   
   

   Long Summary

   The play begins with Gerrard, a playwright, talking on the phone and preparing to leave his cottage. An intruder, carrying a gun and dressed flashily, enters the cottage intending to kill Gerrard and take on his identity. The intruder believes that by becoming Gerrard, he can evade the police and live a free life. Gerrard, noticing the intruder's intentions, engages him in a conversation, pretending to be cooperative. He narrates a fake story about his life to gain the intruder's trust.

   As the intruder becomes more relaxed, Gerrard reveals that he too is a criminal and is expecting trouble that night. He convinces the intruder to join him in escaping together. When the intruder lets his guard down, Gerrard pushes him into a cupboard, locks it, and takes the intruder's gun. Gerrard then calls the police to come and arrest the intruder. The play ends with Gerrard holding the gun and talking on the phone, relieved and amused by the turn of events.
   
   

   
   Key Events

   1. Intruder breaks into Gerrard's cottage: The play begins with the intruder entering Gerrard's home with a gun.
   2. Gerrard engages the intruder in conversation: Gerrard uses his wit to stall and gather information from the intruder.
   3. Gerrard reveals a fake story: He pretends to be a criminal himself to gain the intruder's trust.
   4. Gerrard outsmarts the intruder: He pushes the intruder into a cupboard and locks it.
   5. Gerrard calls the police: The play ends with Gerrard calling the police to arrest the intruder.

   
   Lessons to Learn

   1. Quick Thinking and Wit: The importance of staying calm and using one's intellect in dangerous situations.
   2. Resourcefulness: Gerrard's ability to use the available resources to outsmart the intruder.
   3. Deception for Good: Sometimes, deceiving an adversary can be a necessary strategy to ensure one's safety.

   
   Solve Find Out Section - Question & Answer
   
   

   1. “At last a sympathetic audience.”

      • Who says this? Gerrard says this.
      • Why does he say it? He says it to mock the intruder, pretending that the intruder is interested in hearing his story.
      • Is he sarcastic or serious? He is sarcastic.
        
        

   2. Why does the intruder choose Gerrard as the man whose identity he wants to take on?

      • The intruder chooses Gerrard because he believes that Gerrard lives a solitary life, making it easier to assume his identity without drawing much attention.
        
        

   3. “I said it with bullets.”

      • Who says this? Gerrard says this.
      • What does it mean? It means that Gerrard claims to have handled a situation using violence or force.
      • Is it the truth? What is the speaker’s reason for saying this? It is not the truth. Gerrard says this to mislead the intruder into believing that he is also a criminal.
        
        

   4. What is Gerrard’s profession? Quote the parts of the play that support your answer.

      • Gerrard is a playwright. This is supported by the line, "I think I’ll put it in my next play."
        
        

   5. “You’ll soon stop being smart.”

      • Who says this? The intruder says this.
      • Why does the speaker say it? He says it to intimidate Gerrard and assert his control.
      • What according to the speaker will stop Gerrard from being smart? The speaker believes that the threat of violence will stop Gerrard from being clever.
        
        

   6. “They can’t hang me twice.”

      • Who says this? The intruder says this.
      • Why does the speaker say it? He says it because he is already wanted for murder and believes he has nothing more to lose by committing another murder.
        
        

   7. “A mystery I propose to explain.” What is the mystery the speaker proposes to explain?

      • The mystery is why Gerrard lives a life of secrecy and sudden disappearances.
        
        

   8. “This is your big surprise.”

      • Where has this been said in the play? This is said by Gerrard when he is about to reveal his plan to the intruder.
      • What is the surprise? The surprise is that Gerrard is not an ordinary person and has a plan to outwit the intruder.

   
   Character Analysis

   • Gerrard: He is intelligent, witty, and resourceful. He remains calm under pressure and uses his quick thinking to turn a dangerous situation to his advantage.
   • Intruder: He is desperate, cunning, and dangerous. However, he underestimates Gerrard's intelligence and ends up being outsmarted.

   
   Important Quotes

   1. "At last a sympathetic audience." - This shows Gerrard's use of sarcasm to mock the intruder.
   2. "I said it with bullets." - This line is a part of Gerrard's deception to mislead the intruder.
   3. "This is your big surprise." - Gerrard reveals his clever plan to the intruder.

   
   Essay: Analysis of Gerrard's Character

   Gerrard, the protagonist of the play "If I Were You," is a quintessential example of a person who uses intellect and composure to navigate through perilous situations. Living alone in a secluded cottage, Gerrard's solitary life is interrupted by an intruder who plans to kill him and assume his identity. Despite the immediate danger, Gerrard remains unflustered and engages the intruder in a conversation, turning the situation into a battle of wits.

   Gerrard's background as a playwright is evident in his ability to think on his feet and craft a believable story under pressure. He uses his knowledge of dramatic techniques to create a narrative that lures the intruder into a false sense of security. Gerrard's quick thinking is further highlighted when he convinces the intruder that he too is a criminal, which ultimately leads to the intruder lowering his guard.

   The climax of the play showcases Gerrard's resourcefulness as he successfully traps the intruder in a cupboard and calls the police. This act not only demonstrates his physical agility but also his strategic planning. Throughout the play, Gerrard's demeanor is a blend of humor and sarcasm, which he uses as tools to destabilize the intruder's confidence.

   In essence, Gerrard's character embodies the triumph of intellect and calmness over brute force. His ability to stay composed, coupled with his sharp wit, allows him to outmaneuver a potentially lethal adversary. Gerrard's actions underscore the importance of presence of mind and strategic thinking in overcoming life's challenges.