Class 9 English Notes Chapter 11 (If I Were You) – Beehive English Text Book Book

Alright class, let's focus on Chapter 11, 'If I Were You'. This one-act play by Douglas James is quite interesting and often tests your understanding of character, plot, and theme in exams. Pay close attention as we break it down for your preparation.

'If I Were You' by Douglas James: Detailed Notes

1. Introduction & Genre:

• Type: A one-act play.
• Genre: Thriller / Melodrama with elements of comedy and suspense.
• Setting: A small, isolated cottage in the wilds of Essex, belonging to Gerrard. The time is the present.
• Author: Douglas James.

2. Characters:

• Gerrard:
  • Profession: Playwright (writes plays for the theatre).
  • Personality: Cultured, sophisticated, cool-headed, witty, intelligent, observant, resourceful, excellent presence of mind. Lives alone. Has a mysterious aura (doesn't meet tradespeople, speaks cryptically on the phone). Uses his intelligence and acting skills to outwit the Intruder.
• Intruder:
  • Profession: Criminal (jewel robber, murderer).
  • Appearance: Flashily dressed, carries a revolver. Similar build to Gerrard.
  • Personality: Crude, boastful, menacing, overconfident, impulsive, ultimately gullible and foolish. Plans to kill Gerrard and impersonate him to escape the police. Lacks Gerrard's intelligence and wit.

3. Plot Summary:

• Opening: Gerrard is on the phone, arranging his travel, when an Intruder silently enters his cottage, holding a revolver.
• The Threat: The Intruder threatens Gerrard, revealing his plan: he is a criminal on the run (wanted for murdering a policeman) and intends to kill Gerrard and take over his identity to live freely. He chose Gerrard because he looks similar, lives alone, seems mysterious, and has a car.
• Gerrard's Reaction: Instead of panicking, Gerrard remains remarkably calm and engages the Intruder in conversation. He displays wit and seems almost amused by the "melodramatic" situation.
• Gathering Information: Gerrard cleverly extracts information from the Intruder about his crimes and motives, while appearing nonchalant.
• The Twist: Gerrard turns the tables by concocting a believable story. He claims that he himself is also a criminal, living under a false identity, and is expecting trouble from the police. He tells the Intruder that killing him would be pointless because the Intruder would still be caught, as he would be assuming the identity of a wanted man (Gerrard himself).
• Building the Lie: Gerrard uses props (bags, disguise outfit, etc.) and his mysterious phone calls as 'evidence' for his story. He acts as if he is preparing to flee.
• The Escape Plan: Gerrard convinces the Intruder that the police are about to arrive and that they must escape together using Gerrard's car, supposedly parked in the garage. He directs the Intruder towards a door, claiming it leads to the garage.
• The Climax: The door actually leads to a large cupboard. As the Intruder leans in to check if the coast is clear, Gerrard swiftly pushes him inside and locks the door.
• Resolution: The Intruder is trapped, shouting and firing his gun uselessly inside the cupboard. Gerrard calmly picks up the phone to call the police, informing them to send the sergeant to his cottage, as he has captured his 'surprise' visitor.

4. Themes:

• Intelligence vs. Brute Force: Gerrard's quick thinking and wit triumph over the Intruder's reliance on threats and violence.
• Appearance vs. Reality: Gerrard appears to be a simple playwright but reveals hidden depths of cleverness. The Intruder appears menacing but is easily fooled. Gerrard's cottage seems ordinary but becomes a trap.
• Identity: The play revolves around the Intruder's plan to steal Gerrard's identity. Gerrard cleverly uses this theme to create his own false identity as a fellow criminal.
• Presence of Mind: Gerrard's calmness and ability to think clearly under extreme pressure are key to his survival.
• Melodrama & Theatre: Gerrard often comments on the situation as if it were a play, using theatrical terms, which adds a layer of irony and highlights his profession.

5. Key Elements for Exams:

• Setting Significance: The isolated cottage makes Gerrard vulnerable but also allows him the privacy needed for his plan and prevents immediate outside help for the Intruder.
• Gerrard's Profession: His job as a playwright equips him with knowledge of stagecraft, props, storytelling, and acting – skills he uses effectively against the Intruder.
• Dramatic Irony: The audience understands Gerrard is likely bluffing long before the Intruder does. The Intruder's confidence in his plan seems foolish to the audience.
• Suspense: Built through the initial threat, the Intruder's questioning, and the uncertainty of whether Gerrard's story is true or a bluff.
• Title Significance: 'If I Were You' directly refers to the Intruder's plan to become Gerrard. Ironically, Gerrard uses this desire against the Intruder by pretending he is someone the Intruder wouldn't want to be.

6. Important Vocabulary/Phrases:

• Melodramatic: Exaggeratedly emotional or dramatic.
• Cultured: Refined, educated, sophisticated.
• Count on: Rely on, depend on.
• Engage: Occupy, involve.
• Inflection: Change in pitch or tone of voice.
• Gratuitous: Unnecessary or uncalled for.
• Dodge: Avoid someone or something by a sudden quick movement.
• Props: Objects used by actors on stage (short for properties).
• Disguise outfit: Clothes worn to change one's appearance.
• Muddled head: Confused mind.
• Sympathetic audience: An audience that understands or shares the speaker's feelings.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. What is Gerrard's profession?
   a) Actor
   b) Police Inspector
   c) Playwright
   d) Musician

2. Why did the Intruder choose Gerrard's cottage?
   a) He knew Gerrard personally.
   b) Gerrard seemed rich and had jewels.
   c) It was isolated, and Gerrard resembled him.
   d) He was invited by Gerrard.

3. What crime had the Intruder committed before entering Gerrard's house?
   a) Bank robbery
   b) Kidnapping
   c) Jewel theft
   d) Murder of a policeman

4. How did Gerrard react initially to the Intruder's threat?
   a) He panicked and screamed for help.
   b) He tried to attack the Intruder.
   c) He remained calm and witty.
   d) He fainted from fear.

5. What story did Gerrard invent to trick the Intruder?
   a) That he was expecting the police for tea.
   b) That he was also a criminal on the run.
   c) That the house was haunted.
   d) That he had a hidden treasure.

6. What does the phrase "sympathetic audience" mean in the context Gerrard uses it?
   a) An audience that feels sorry for him.
   b) An audience that enjoys theatre.
   c) Someone (the Intruder) who seems interested in his story.
   d) A crowd watching a play.

7. What object did Gerrard use as 'proof' of his supposed criminal life?
   a) A hidden gun
   b) A bag with disguise props
   c) Fake money
   d) A secret map

8. Where did Gerrard trap the Intruder?
   a) In the garage
   b) In the bathroom
   c) In a cupboard
   d) Under the bed

9. What is the central theme demonstrated by Gerrard's success?
   a) Crime always pays.
   b) Honesty is the best policy.
   c) Wit and intelligence can overcome brute force.
   d) It is easy to fool criminals.

10. What is the tone of the play towards the end?
    a) Tragic
    b) Solemn
    c) Tense but ultimately triumphant for Gerrard
    d) Romantic

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. c) Playwright
2. c) It was isolated, and Gerrard resembled him.
3. d) Murder of a policeman
4. c) He remained calm and witty.
5. b) That he was also a criminal on the run.
6. c) Someone (the Intruder) who seems interested in his story.
7. b) A bag with disguise props
8. c) In a cupboard
9. c) Wit and intelligence can overcome brute force.
10. c) Tense but ultimately triumphant for Gerrard

Make sure you understand not just the plot but also the characters' motivations and the underlying themes. Read the text carefully, focusing on Gerrard's clever use of language. Good luck with your preparation!