Class 9 Literature Chapter 9 If I Were You - Summary & Analysis

“At last a sympathetic audience.”

(i) Who says this?
(ii) Why does he say it?
(iii) Is he sarcastic or serious?

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

“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?

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

“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?

“They can’t hang me twice.”

(i) Who says this?
(ii) Why does the speaker say it?

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

“This is your big surprise.” (i) Where has this been said in the play? (ii) What is the surprise?

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-?

How does the playwright describe Gerrard's appearance?

What kind of people visit Gerrard? Why does he say that none of his visitors is as interesting as the intruder?

What comprehensive information did the intruder have before he broke in Gerrard's cottage?

choose the correct word from the pairs given in brackets.

1. The (site, cite) of the accident was (ghastly/ghostly).

2. Our college (principle/principal) is very strict.

3. I studied (continuously/continually) for eight hours.

4. The fog had an adverse (affect/effect) on the traffic.

5. Cezanne, the famous French painter, was a brilliant (artist/artiste).

6. The book that you gave me yesterday is an extraordinary (collage/college) of science fiction and mystery.

7. Our school will (host/hoist) an exhibition on cruelty to animals and wildlife conservation.

8. Screw the lid tightly onto the top of the bottle and (shake/shape) well before using the contents.

We use a slightly different tone of voice when we use these words ironically.
Read the play carefully and find the words and expressions Gerrard uses in an ironic way. Then say what these expressions really mean. Two examples have been given below. Write down three more such expressions along with what they really mean.

Imagine you are Gerrard. Tell your friend what happened when the Intruder broke into your house. [Clues : Describe (i) the intruder — his appearance, the way he spoke, his plan, his movements, etc., (ii) how you outwitted him.]

Which of the words below describe Gerrard and which describe the Intruder?

Write a paragraph each about Gerrard and the Intruder to show what qualities they have. (You can use some of the words given above.)

Convert the play into a story (150 –200 words). Your story should be as exciting and as witty as the play. Provide a suitable title to it.