If I were You - Beehive - Class 9 - CBSE English
If I were You, Class 9, Beehive, "Will Gerrard survive the murderous intentions of a criminal who plans to impersonate him? Find out in this tense one-act play set in a lonely cottage."
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About the Author - If I were You | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
James W. "Jim" Douglass is an American author, activist, and Christian theologian. He is a graduate of Santa Clara University and is known for his work in promoting nonviolence and Catholic theology. Douglass, along with his wife Shelley Douglass, founded the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action in Poulsbo, Washington, and Mary’s House, a Catholic Worker house in Birmingham, Alabama. The Douglasses received the Pacem in Terris Award in 1997. Douglass has authored many books and essays on nonviolence and Catholic theology, and his 2008 book "JFK and the Unspeakable" discusses the John F. Kennedy assassination as a conspiracy ordered by unknown parties and carried out by the CIA with the help from the Mafia and elements in the FBI to put an end to Kennedy's effort to end the Cold War after the Cuban Missile Crisis. He has also engaged in civil disobedience to protest against the Vietnam War and has travelled to the Middle East on several peace missions. Douglass is a member and co-founder of Religious Leaders for 9/11 Truth, an organization that questions the "official story" about the 9/11 attacks.
Themes - If I were You | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
Setting
The scene is set in a small, simple cottage in Essex, which creates a feeling of isolation and loneliness. This setting also plays a crucial role in the development of the plot.
Characterization
The two main characters, Gerrard and the intruder are sharply contrasted with each other. Gerrard is cultured, intelligent...
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Vocabulary - If I were You | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
- Intruder - A person who enters a place without permission
- Resemblance - The similarity in appearance between two people or things
- Impersonate - To pretend...
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Summary - If I were You | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
In the scene, Gerrard is packing his bag when an intruder enters his cottage. The intruder is a criminal who intends to kill Gerrard and impersonate him. The intruder bears some resemblance to Gerrard and is flashily dressed in an overcoat and a soft hat. He has a revolver in hand and is questioning Gerrard about his life, his car, and whether he lives alone.
Gerrard tries to be witty and sarcastic in his responses, but the intruder is threatening and aggressive. The intruder tells Gerrard that he specializes in jewel robbery and plans to retire in the area for a little while. He plans to take Gerrard's car and use it to escape with any stolen jewels.
Throughout the scene, Gerrard tries to keep his cool and not show any fear. He tries to stall the intruder by engaging him in conversation and trying to make him feel comfortable. Gerrard also tries to gather information about the intruder to use against him later.
In the end, Gerrard manages to outsmart the intruder by tricking him into revealing his real name and background. Gerrard then uses this information to turn the tables on the intruder and convince him to surrender to the police. Gerrard's quick thinking and ability to remain calm under pressure ultimately saved his life.
If I were You - Questions and Answers | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
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I think good sense is shown more in the ability to avoid pain than in the mere desire to do so. What do you think, Mr-er- a. Who speaks these lines to whom? b. When and why does he say so? c. Why does the speaker seek the listener's opinion? d. Why does he address the listener as Mr-er-?
a. Gerrard speaks the above lines to the intruder. b. He says so when the intruder asks questions and has a revolver in his hand. He said so as he had warned him to use his common sense as he wouldn’t want to get hurt. c. Gerrard asks the intruder’s opinion because he had a gun and could shoot him anytime. d. Gerrard addressed the intruder as Mr—er, as he didn’t know his name.
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I happen to know that you never see trades people. a. Who does 'I' refer to? b. Who does he talk to? c. What has the speaker come to know? d. How has he got the information?
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When you know why I've broken into your little cottage, you'll be surprised, and it won't be a pleasant surprise. a. Who has broken into whose cottage? b. Why has 'he' broken into the cottage? c. Why does he expect the listener to be surprised? d. Why will the surprise not be a 'pleasant' one for the listener?
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No! Well, that goes for you, too. I've only got to wear specs and I'll be enough like you to get away with it. a. Who is the speaker? Who is he talking to? b. What is it that goes for 'you' too? c. What will 'I' have to do and why? d. How will wearing specs help the speaker?
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You won't kill me for a very good reason. a. Who speaks these words and to whom? b. Why does the listener want to kill the speaker? c. Why does the speaker believe that the listener will not kill him? d. Does the listener actually kill the speaker? Why/Why not?
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Come on! They're after us. Through here straight to the garage. a. Who does 'us' refer to? b. Who are after them? c. What does 'here' refer to? d. Why do they have to go to the garage?
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Hello. Yes, speaking. Sorry I can't let you have the props in time for rehearsal. I've had a spot of bother quite amusing. I think I'll put it in my next play. Listen, can you tell our friend the Sergeant to come up here at once? a. Who is the speaker? Who is he talking to? b. What is he apologising about? c. What 'spot of bother' has he had? d. Why does he want the Sergeant to come up at once?
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What kind of stage-setting the playwright wants to have for the play?
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How does the playwright describe Gerrard's appearance?
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On seeing the intruder in his room, why does Gerrard remark that it is very 'melodramatic, not very original, perhaps'?
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Why does the intruder tell Gerrard, "I don't think you'll be pleased for long"?
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Why does Gerrard call the intruder 'a sympathetic audience'?
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"I want to know a few things". What things about Gerrard does the intruder want to know?
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What kind of story about himself does Gerrard tell the intruder? Why is the intruder not interested in it?
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"That's a lie. You're not dealing with a fool". What lie does Gerrard tell the intruder? How does the intruder know it is a lie?
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Why does Gerrard ask the intruder if he was an American?
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What kind of people visit Gerrard? Why does he say that none of his visitors is as interesting as the intruder?
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"I've got brains, and I use them". Why does the intruder make this remark? How does it turn out to be ironic later in the play?
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Why did the intruder break into Gerrard's cottage?
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Why does the intruder feel he can stay nicely in Essex for a while?
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"You're planning a gratuitous double, so to speak". What do you understand by the word 'gratuitous'? What, according to Gerrard, was a gratuitous double the intruder was planning?
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Why did the intruder not kill Gerrard immediately on entering his house?
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How does the intruder intend to benefit by assuming Gerrard's identity?
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What important things does the intruder want to know about Vincent Charles Gerrard? Why?
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What comprehensive information did the intruder have before he broke in Gerrard's cottage?
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Why does Gerrard say that the intruder is luckier than most melodramatic villains?
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Since when has the intruder been dodging police? Why?
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How did the intruder get to know that Gerrard was a bit queer or mysterious? Was Gerrard really so? Why/Why not?
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The play "If I Were You" has an element of suspense, surprise and humour. Quote some instances from the play to validate this statement.
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Do you think the title "If I Were You" is suitable for the play? Give reasons in support of your view.
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In what way did Gerrard's theatrical background help him outwit the intruder? Describe Gerrard's encounter with the intruder.
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What reason did Gerrard give the intruder to keep himself in the mystery cloak?
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“At last a sympathetic audience.” (i) Who says this? (ii) Why does he say it? (iii) Is he sarcastic or serious?
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Why does the intruder choose Gerrard as the man whose identity he wants to take on?
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“I said it with bullets.” (i) Who says this? (ii) What does it mean? (iii) Is it the truth? What is the speaker’s reason for saying this?
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What is Gerrard’s profession? Quote the parts of the play that support your answer.
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“You’ll soon stop being smart.” (i) Who says this? (ii) Why does the speaker say it? (iii) What according to the speaker will stop Gerrard from being smart?
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“They can’t hang me twice.” (i) Who says this? (ii) Why does the speaker say it?
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“A mystery I propose to explain.” What is the mystery the speaker proposes to explain?
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“This is your big surprise.” (i) Where has this been said in the play? (ii) What is the surprise?
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Quiz - If I were You | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
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