Key Points of the Story
- The play begins in a small cottage where the main character, Gerrard, is making a phone call.
- While Gerrard is packing a bag, an intruder enters the cottage with a revolver and threatens him.
- The intruder demands information from Gerrard and reveals that he wants to kill Gerrard and take on his identity.
- Gerrard remains calm and uses his wit to engage the intruder in conversation.
- Throughout their dialogue, Gerrard discovers that the intruder is a criminal on the run, wanted for murder.
- Gerrard cleverly convinces the intruder that he too is in trouble and needs to escape from the police.
- Gerrard offers the intruder a way out by suggesting they leave together in Gerrard’s car.
- As the intruder is distracted, Gerrard manages to push him into a cupboard and locks him inside.
- Gerrard then calls the police, indicating that he has outsmarted the intruder.
- The play ends with Gerrard calmly discussing the situation on the phone, showing his resourcefulness and intelligence.
Detailed Summary
The scene starts in a small, cosy cottage. There are two doors: one at the back and another on the left. The furniture is simple, with a small table, a couple of chairs, and a divan on the right side of the stage. On the table, there is a telephone. As the curtain rises, we see a man named Gerrard. He is talking on the phone. Gerrard is of medium height and wears glasses. He is dressed in a nice suit and a great coat, and he speaks in a cultured voice.
Gerrard is making a phone call, asking the person on the other end to call someone directly because he needs to know something important. After finishing his call, he goes to the divan, where he starts packing a travelling bag. Suddenly, another man enters the cottage. This man looks quite similar to Gerrard in build, but he is dressed in flashy clothes and carries a revolver. He makes a noise when he bumps into the table, and Gerrard quickly turns to look at him.
The intruder is not friendly. He tells Gerrard that he is glad to see him but that Gerrard will not be pleased for long. He orders Gerrard to raise his hands. Gerrard responds calmly, suggesting that this situation is quite dramatic but not very original. The intruder wants to know some information from Gerrard, who is trying to stay calm and uses clever words to engage the intruder. The intruder is aggressive and demands answers about Gerrard’s life.
Gerrard plays along with the intruder’s questions. He tells the intruder that he lives alone and pretends to be cooperative. The intruder accuses him of lying about having a car, but Gerrard cleverly turns the conversation back to the intruder’s own identity, asking questions about him instead. This makes the intruder frustrated because he wants to be in control.
The intruder reveals that he is a criminal who specializes in stealing jewels and plans to take Gerrard’s car. Gerrard sarcastically points out that there are not many jewels in his quiet area of Essex. The intruder then reveals his plan to kill Gerrard, which he thinks will allow him to take over Gerrard’s identity and escape from the police. However, Gerrard challenges this idea by asking why the intruder would want to commit murder, suggesting that it is a foolish decision.
As their conversation continues, Gerrard cleverly manipulates the situation. He tells the intruder that he is not just an ordinary man but also a criminal who has had trouble with the law. He pretends that he is also running away from the police and suggests that they could work together. Gerrard even shows the intruder a packed bag that he claims is a disguise, hoping to convince him that they could escape together.
At this moment, Gerrard takes advantage of the situation. He tricks the intruder by pretending to be scared and suddenly pushes him into a cupboard, locking him inside. Gerrard then picks up the intruder’s gun and goes to the phone to call for help. He humorously talks on the phone about the situation, saying it was quite amusing and that he will include it in his next play.
This scene shows Gerrard as a clever and quick-thinking character. He manages to outsmart the intruder and take control of the situation. The play ends with Gerrard waiting for the police to arrive, having successfully handled a dangerous situation.
Try yourself:
What is the main reason Gerrard convinces the intruder that he is also a criminal and wanted by the police?
- A.Gerrard wants to scare the intruder into leaving him unharmed.
- B.Gerrard wants to make the intruder feel sympathetic towards him.
- C.Gerrard wants to trick the intruder into revealing his true identity.
- D.Gerrard wants to confuse the intruder and distract him.
View Solution
Theme
The theme of the play emphasises the need to retain one’s presence of mind and a cool head in situations of crisis. Panic complicates matters but a cool temperament can help one escape from any tight comer with ease. Criminals, who mastermind most well-thought-out crimes, can also be outwitted because they are fearful of the law and of getting caught. Hence, tactful planning and handling of a situation can trap even ‘experienced’ criminals.
Difficult Words
- Divan: A type of bed with a thick base and mattress
- Count on: To depend on someone or something
- Flashily: In a way that looks bright, cheap and showy
- Bumps: To hit something
- Intruder: Someone who enters a place illegally
- Melodramatic: Behaving or reacting in an exaggerated way
- Nonchalant: Behaving in a calm and relaxed way
- Sympathetic: Someone who is kind, caring, and concerned about others
- Inflection: The way in which the sound of your voice changes during speech
- Greengrocer: A person who sells vegetables
- Tradespeople: People whose job involves selling goods
- Modest: Not talking too much about one’s own abilities
- Plenty: More than enough
- The wilds: An area where few or no people live
- Trifle: Slightly
- Fancy: To suddenly start to like someone
- Sarcasm: The use of remarks which mean the opposite of what someone says
- Grave: Seriously bad
- Hunted: To try to find somebody
- Gratuitous: Unnecessary
- Melodrama: A story or film in which the characters show strong emotions than real people do
- Posh: Fashionable
- Pantomime: An act of expressing thoughts through movements rather than speech
- Elude: To not be caught by anyone
- Dodge: To move quickly and suddenly to avoid somebody
- Luckiest break: Fortunate and unexpected turn of events
- Cloak: To cover or hide something
- Clear off: To go away
- Disguise: To change the appearance
- Slam: To shut something with a lot of force, making a loud noise
- Rattle: Sharp knocking sounds
- Sergeant: Refers to a police officer
- Cultured: Well-educated and able to understand and enjoy art, literature, etc.
- Lounge suit: A man’s formal suit, consisting of jacket and trousers, worn during business hours
- Horn-rimmed: Horn-rimmed specs have a thick dark plastic frame
Try yourself:
What is the main theme of the play “If I Were You”?
- A.Love and romance
- B.Identity and deception
- C.Friendship and loyalty
- D.Adventure and exploration
View Solution