Beehive Chapter 11 Class 9 NCERT: If I Were You Guide

Detailed Plot Summary of 'If I Were You'

The play 'If I Were You' is set in a small, lonely cottage where Gerrard, a cultured playwright, is packing his bags for an upcoming theatrical rehearsal. Suddenly, a dangerous intruder breaks in, holding a loaded revolver. This Intruder is a criminal wanted by the police for murdering a police officer. His plan is simple yet sinister: he wants to kill Gerrard, take on his identity, and live peacefully as 'Gerrard' to escape the law. Instead of panicking, Gerrard remains exceptionally calm and composed. He engages the Intruder in conversation, exploiting the criminal's over-confidence and ego.

Gerrard makes up a clever, fictional story about his own past, claiming that he, too, is a criminal and a murderer on the run from the police. He tells the Intruder that the police are already on their way to raid his house, pointing to his mystery-filled habits as proof. To make his lie absolutely believable, Gerrard shows the Intruder his disguise outfits, false mustaches, and props, claiming they are his escape tools. Believing Gerrard's story, the Intruder panics. Gerrard offers to help him escape through a 'secret door' which is actually a dark cupboard. As soon as the Intruder steps inside to look, Gerrard pushes him in, knocks the revolver out of his hand, locks him inside, and calls the police. The play ends on a humorous note as Gerrard decides to use this real-life dramatic experience as the plot for his next play.

Character Comparison: Gerrard vs. The Intruder

Step-by-Step Analysis of Gerrard's Escape Plan

1. Gaining Trust through Conversation — Gerrard doesn't scream or fight. Instead, he speaks pleasantly and invites the Intruder to sit down and chat, satisfying the Intruder's vanity and buying valuable time.
2. Creating a False Identity — Gerrard quickly creates a fake persona of himself as a dangerous fugitive, claiming his mysterious lifestyle (packing bags, sudden departures) is due to him hiding from the law.
3. Using Physical Evidence (Props) — He shows his theatrical disguise materials (false mustaches, coats) as 'proof' of his criminal identity, convincing the Intruder that they are both in the same boat.
4. Executing the Trap — Gerrard spots his chance when the police 'danger' is imminent. He tricks the Intruder into looking through a cupboard door, claiming it to be an escape route, and locks him in.

CBSE Exam Tips: Key Themes and Common Mistakes

When writing answers for class 9 english beehive chapter 11, keep these important preparation points in mind:

• Identify Irony: The core irony of the play is that the Intruder came to impersonate Gerrard to escape the law, but ended up getting trapped because Gerrard pretended to be a criminal trying to escape the law.
• Character Terms: Use strong adjectives to describe the characters. Describe Gerrard as nonchalant, witty, resourceful, and sharp. Describe the Intruder as gullible, desperate, and boastful.
• Avoid this Mistake: Many students mistake the 'secret cupboard door' as an actual exit in their answers. Remember to clarify that the door was just a wardrobe/cupboard and Gerrard lied about it being an exit to trap the Intruder!

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Why did the Intruder choose Gerrard as the person whose identity he wanted to take?
  A: Step 1: Analyze the Intruder's motive. The Intruder wanted to live a life free of fear from the police because he had killed a cop.
  Step 2: Examine Gerrard's lifestyle. Gerrard lived in a lonely cottage, rarely met people, and had mystery-filled habits where he would suddenly go away and return.
  Step 3: Combine these points. This reclusive and unpredictable lifestyle made Gerrard the perfect target, as his absence wouldn't raise immediate alarms.
  Final answer: The Intruder chose Gerrard because Gerrard lived a secluded life in a lonely cottage, kept a low profile, and rarely met tradespeople. This mystery-shrouded lifestyle made him the ideal target for the Intruder to impersonate without raising suspicion.

• Q: How did Gerrard convince the Intruder that he was also a criminal wanted by the police?
  A: Step 1: Detail the story Gerrard made up. Gerrard claimed that he had run into trouble, a bullet was fired, and one of his men was caught.
  Step 2: Mention the evidence he presented. He showed the Intruder his disguise outfits, including false mustaches and theatrical props, pretending they were criminal disguises.
  Step 3: Synthesize the impact. This made the story highly believable to the panicking Intruder.
  Final answer: Gerrard convinced the Intruder by weaving a fictional story about his own criminal past. He claimed that he had committed a murder and was expecting a police raid that night. To back up his lie, he showed the Intruder his theatrical disguise props (false mustaches, outfits) and claimed they were his getaway gear.

• Q: Bring out the contrast between the characters of Gerrard and the Intruder based on the play 'If I Were You'.
  A: Step 1: Describe Gerrard's traits. Gerrard is calm, intellectual, highly imaginative, and maintains his composure in the face of death.
  Step 2: Describe the Intruder's traits. The Intruder is boastful, aggressive, and impatient, but ultimately foolish and easily misled.
  Step 3: Conclude with the contrast. While the Intruder relies on physical power (the gun), Gerrard defeats him using mental superiority and wit.
  Final answer: The primary contrast lies in intelligence versus raw physical threat. The Intruder relies on a gun, aggressive language, and fear to dominate. Gerrard, on the other hand, remains completely cool, nonchalant, and uses his intellectual wit, humor, and theatrical background to outsmart the criminal, proving that mind is mightier than muscle.

• Q: What is the significance of the title 'If I Were You'?
  A: Step 1: Identify the literal meaning. The phrase is used when giving advice, suggesting what one would do in another's shoes.
  Step 2: Apply it to the Intruder's plan. The Intruder literally wanted to become Gerrard.
  Step 3: Apply it to Gerrard's counter-strategy. Gerrard turned the tables by showing what he would do if he were the Intruder, eventually trapping him.
  Final answer: The title is highly appropriate. Literally, the Intruder wants to step into Gerrard's shoes to escape the law. Ironically, Gerrard uses this very premise to assume control of the situation, telling the Intruder what he should do to escape, and ultimately trapping him in a cupboard. It highlights the shifting power dynamic of the play.

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