Unit - 11: If I Were You by Douglas James (Play)

Word Meanings

1. Intruder: a person who intrudes, especially into a building with criminal intent.

2. Paws: here, hands

3. Melodramatic: excessive emotions that are required for the situation

4. Nonchalant: not showing anxiety, interest or enthusiasm

5. Gypsies: nomads

6. Inflection: a change in the modulation of voice

7. Embrace: accept

8. Dandy: stylish, fashionable

9. gratuitous double: done without reason.

10. To beat it: to leave immediately

11. Posh: rich, showy

12. Pantomime: to mime or copy someone

13. Tribute: to show gratitude, respect or admiration for someone or something

14. Elude: escape

15. Dodge: to avoid someone, here, the police

16. Invested in: taken up, adopted

17. Cloak: cape, robe

18. Sunday-school teacher: used to indicate an honest man

19. Disguise: give a different appearance to hide one’s identity

20. Muddled head: confused mind

21. Frame: false

22. Props: things used by actors to change appearance

23. Spot of bother: something that causes inconvenience or trouble

Overview of the Play: "If I Were You" by Douglas James is a one-act play that

explores themes of mistaken identity, wit, and the power of cleverness in difficult

situations. If I Were You is a comedic play by Douglas James that was first performed

in 1972. It is a light-hearted and entertaining thriller that blends elements of suspense

with humor. The story centers around two main characters, Gerrard, a playwright, and

an intruder who breaks into his home.

Central Idea: The play revolves around a playwright, Gerrard, who is confronted in

his home by a criminal intending to kill him and assume his identity. Using his quick

thinking and cleverness, Gerrard outsmarts the criminal and turns the situation

around.

Themes

1. Cleverness and Intelligence: The protagonist uses his wit and resourcefulness to

avoid danger.

2. Mistaken Identity: The play's central conflict arises from the criminal's mistaken

belief that he can impersonate Gerrard.

3. Power of Words: Gerrard's ability to talk his way out of trouble is a key element

of the plot.

4. Good vs. Evil: The contrast between the resourceful, good-natured Gerrard and the

evil intentions of the criminal.

Message: Quick thinking and wit can be powerful tools for overcoming adversity.

Intelligence can be more valuable than physical strength in solving problems.

Underlying Message: Confidence and self-reliance can help a person navigate even

the most threatening situations. Deception and trickery can be used against those who

rely solely on brute force or intimidation. The power of intellect over brute force: A

quick mind can triumph over forceful aggression when faced with danger.

Characters

1. Gerrard – The protagonist is a clever, calm, and resourceful playwright. He can

outsmart the criminal and use his wit to escape danger.

2. The Intruder (Criminal) – The antagonist, a man who intends to kill Gerrard and

assume his identity. He is aggressive, unthinking, and easily manipulated by Gerrard.

Setting

Location: Gerrard's house, specifically his study. The setting is a quiet, secluded

space reflecting Gerrard's intelligent, artistic, and organized personality.

Time: In a modern domestic setting, the present day (unspecified).

Point of View: The play is presented in the third-person point of view, as we observe

the actions and dialogue between the characters from an external perspective. It is a

stage play, so the audience witnesses the interactions and the unfolding of events in

real time.

Tone: The tone of the play is as follows:

 Witty – Clever dialogue and humour, especially from Gerrard.

 Suspenseful – Tension from the intruder’s threats.

 Comedic – Light, funny moments throughout.

 Engaging – Fast-paced and keeps the audience interested.

 Playful tension – Suspense mixed with humour.

NCERT Questions and Answers

I. Answer these questions.

Question 1: “At last a sympathetic audience.”

(i) Who says this?

Ans: Gerrard says this.

(ii) Why does he say it?

Ans: He says this because the intruder becomes sympathetic towards him.

(iii) Is he sarcastic or serious?

Ans: He is, no doubt, sarcastic.

Question 2: Why does the intruder choose Gerrard as the man whose identity he

wants to take on?

Answer: The intruder chose Gerrard as the man whose identity he wants to take on

because he is a kind of mystery man. He phones his orders and sometimes goes away

suddenly and comes back just the same.

Question 3: “I said it with bullets.”

(i) Who says this?

Ans: Gerrard says this.

(ii) What does it mean?

Ans: It means that he is not an ordinary person. He is very dangerous.

(iii) Is it the truth? What is the speaker’s reason for saying this?

Ans: NO, he wants the intruder should change his idea of killing him.

Question 4: What is Gerrard’s profession? Quote the parts of the play that support

your answer.

Answer: Gerrard is a dramatist. He says, “Sorry I can’t let you have the props in time

for rehearsal…

Question 5: “You’ll soon stop being smart.”

(i) Who says this?

Ans: The intruder says this.

(ii) Why does the speaker say it?

Ans: He says it because Gerrard does not seem afraid of his gun even.

(iii) What according to the speaker will stop Gerrard from being smart?

Ans: According to the speaker, the bullet will stop Gerrard from being smart.

Question 6: “They can’t hang me twice.”

(i) Who says this?

Ans: The intruder says this.

(ii) Why does the speaker say it?

Ans: The speaker says it because he wants to murder Gerrard. And he has already

murdered someone. So the police cannot hang him twice.

Question 7: “A mystery I propose to explain.” What is the mystery the speaker

proposes to explain?

Answer: The speaker wants the intruder should explain what mystery is associated

with him. The mystery is about Gerrard’s placing his orders on the telephone. And he

goes out suddenly and returns in the same way.

Question 8: “This is your big surprise.”

(i) Where has this been said in the play?

Ans: Gerrard speaks this line. He tells the intruder that if he is not hanged for his

murder, he will certainly be hanged being Vincent Charles Gerrard. At this time he

utters these words.

(ii) What is the surprise?

Ans: The big surprise is that Gerrard will not be killed by him. He is right in saying

this.

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)

Character Sketch

Gerrard: Gerrard is a composed, intelligent playwright, who remains calm and

resourceful in the face of danger. When an intruder breaks into his home, Gerrard

cleverly outwits him by pretending to be a criminal himself. His quick thinking,

confidence, and ability to manipulate the situation show his sharp intellect. Rather

than panicking, he uses his wit to deceive the intruder and gain control of the

situation. Gerrard represents the power of intellect and mental agility over brute force,

displaying traits of bravery, humour, and creativity throughout the play.

The Intruder: The intruder is a desperate, violent criminal who seeks to escape the

law by killing Gerrard and taking his identity. He is rough, panicked, and relies on
intimidation rather than intelligence. His lack of critical thinking and overconfidence

in his violent methods make him an easy target for manipulation. The intruder's plan

quickly unravels as he is outsmarted by Gerrard, whose cleverness exposes his

vulnerability. Driven by fear and desperation, the intruder's failure highlights his

foolishness and inability to think beyond brute force.

Question 2: 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. ‘Intelligence is

more powerful than strength’.

Answer: Gerrard is a dramatist who lives in a cottage. Very few people come to visit

him. He rarely goes out. If he goes out, he comes back suddenly. Once an intruder

enters his cottage who has a gun in his hands. Gerrard receives him with a warm

welcome. The intruder asks many questions to him about his personal life. He

answers his queries intelligently and thoughtfully. The intruder tells him that he wants

to take on his identity because he is being chased by police as he has murdered a cop.

But Gerrard tells him that he will not be benefited by killing him as he is also wanted.

And he expects the police there tonight to arrest him. So he asks him to run with him

in the car. But when they are about to cross the door, Gerrard pushes him into the

cupboard and slams it. Then he calls the police and gets him arrested.
Value Based Question (VBQ)

Question 3 In If I Were You, Gerrard demonstrates the importance of wit, quick

thinking, and calmness in a crisis. How do these qualities reflect the value of intellect

and composure in overcoming difficult situations? Do you think these qualities are

important in real life? Justify your answer with examples.

Answer: In If I Were You, Gerrard uses his intellect, calmness, and quick thinking to

outsmart the intruder and save his life. These qualities show that in difficult

situations, a composed and clever mind can be more effective than brute strength. In

real life, these values are essential as they help individuals make sound decisions,

reduce panic, and find solutions in challenging circumstances. For example, doctors

remain calm during emergencies, and leaders use critical thinking to solve problems.

Intellectual agility and emotional control are crucial for personal growth and success

in overcoming adversity.

Beehive Textbook Work

Thinking about language (Page 145)

Question 1: Consult your dictionary and 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.

Answer:

1.site, ghastly

2.principal

3.continuously

4.effect

5.artist

6.collage

7.host

8.shake
 Question 2: Irony is when we say one thing but mean another, usually the opposite of

what we say. When someone makes a mistake and you say, “Oh ! that was clever !”

that is irony. You’re saying ‘clever’ to mean ‘not clever’.

Expressions we often use in an ironic fashion are:

· Oh, wasn’t that clever!/Oh that was clever!

· You have been a great help, I must say!

· You’ve got yourself into a lovely mess, haven’t you?

· Oh, very funny !/How funny!

What the author says What he means

He pretends that the intruder is a social visitor whom he is
Why, this is a surprise, Mr— er—
welcoming. In this way he hides his fear.
At last a He pretends that the intruder wants to listen to him, whereas
sympathetic actually the intruder wants to find out information for his own
audience! use.

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.

Answer:

What the author says What he means

Gerrard means that his company is not a sympathetic audience
1. At last a sympathetic audience!
because the intruder has got a gun in his hand.
 Gerrard means that the intruder has been immodest in not
2. You have been so modest.
having told anything about himself.
Gerrard means that it is not understandable how anything about
3. With you figuring so largely in it, that is him is ‘surprising’.
understandable