Students today in this blogpost, ‘If I were You Summary Class 9 English’, we are covering Class 9 English (Beehive) Chapter 9 – “If I were You” by Douglas James. We’ll study about the lesson, about the author, and the summary one by one.
If I Were You About the Lesson
The play “If I Were You” is a thrilling one-act drama written by Douglas James. It revolves around a smart playwright named Gerrard, who lives alone in a quiet cottage. One day, an intruder, a criminal, breaks into his home with the intention of killing Gerrard and assuming his identity to escape the police. However, Gerrard’s quick wit and presence of mind turn the situation around. By calmly handling the situation and pretending to be a criminal himself, Gerrard tricks the intruder and locks him in a cupboard.
The play highlights the importance of intelligence, courage, and presence of mind in dealing with dangerous situations. It also adds humour and suspense, keeping readers engaged till the end.
About the Author — Douglas James
Douglas James was a British playwright known for his skill in creating short, engaging plays that mix humour, suspense, and clever dialogue. In “If I Were You”, he portrays how intelligence and quick thinking can defeat crime and violence. His writing often features simple settings but strong character contrasts, such as wit versus foolishness or calm versus aggression.
Short Summary of the Play: If I Were You
The play begins with Gerrard, a playwright, talking on the phone in his cottage. Suddenly, an intruder with a revolver enters. The intruder plans to kill Gerrard and live under his identity, thinking that Gerrard’s mysterious lifestyle will help him hide from the police.
However, Gerrard stays calm and turns the tables. He cleverly pretends to be a criminal himself, saying he too is wanted by the police and is about to flee. To convince the intruder, Gerrard shows him a disguise outfit and a packed bag. When the telephone rings, Gerrard uses the chance to trick the intruder into inspecting a cupboard, pushes him inside, locks it, and calls the police. The play ends with Gerrard victorious, showing that intelligence is stronger than violence.
If I Were You Summary
The play “If I Were You” is a clever one-act drama full of suspense, humour, and intelligence. It revolves around two main characters: Gerrard, a smart and witty playwright, and an intruder, a dangerous criminal who tries to take Gerrard’s identity.
The story begins in Gerrard’s small, lonely cottage in the countryside. Gerrard is talking on the telephone about some urgent work and then starts packing his bag, as if he is about to go somewhere. Suddenly, an intruder quietly enters the cottage with a gun in his hand. He is dressed in flashy clothes and has a confident but threatening attitude. Gerrard is surprised but does not panic. Instead, he remains calm and talks to the intruder in a polite and humorous way.
The intruder reveals his plan that he is a criminal wanted for murder, and he intends to kill Gerrard and live under his identity. He has chosen Gerrard because he looks similar to him in build and appearance. He believes Gerrard’s lifestyle, living alone, not meeting many people, and making mysterious phone calls, will help him hide from the police.
Gerrard, realising the danger, uses his presence of mind and intelligence to outsmart the intruder. He pretends to be a criminal himself and tells the intruder that he too is wanted by the police because he has killed someone. Gerrard explains that he often changes his location and identity to avoid being caught. He even shows the intruder a bag packed with clothes and a disguise outfit, including false moustaches, to make his story believable.
The intruder begins to trust Gerrard’s words. Just then, the telephone rings, and Gerrard pretends that it is a warning that the police are coming. He quickly asks the intruder to follow him through a door leading to a supposed garage to escape. When the intruder moves to inspect the door, Gerrard pushes him inside a cupboard, locks it from outside, and picks up the intruder’s gun.
Calmly, Gerrard then calls the police and informs them that he has caught a criminal. The play ends on a witty note when Gerrard remarks that he might use this strange incident as the plot of his next play.
View all Chapter: Class 9th English Summary
Main Themes and Message
- Presence of Mind and Intelligence: Gerrard’s quick thinking saves his life.
- Crime and Punishment: The intruder’s clever plan fails because of his overconfidence.
- Humour and Wit: Even in danger, Gerrard uses humour, showing how confidence can overcome fear.
Moral of the Story
The play teaches that presence of mind, confidence, and cleverness are powerful tools that can help a person face even the most dangerous situations. Bravery does not always mean using force; sometimes, intelligence is the greatest strength.
