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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 9 If I Were You

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 9 If I Were You covers the thrilling one-act play by Douglas James, the theme of identity and quick thinking, and important questions and answers.

Overview of Topics & Subtopics (Click to Jump)

1. Story/Play Summary

Short Note:

• The play is set in the house of Gerrard, a writer, who is alone at home when an escaped criminal breaks in, intending to take over Gerrard's identity to escape the police.

• The intruder plans to kill Gerrard, assume his appearance and identity using plastic surgery contacts, and live as him, since he believes no one knows Gerrard well enough to notice the switch.

• Gerrard cleverly keeps the intruder talking, gathers information about his plans and criminal past, and eventually manages to outwit him by locking him in and calling the police, turning the tables completely.

2. Character Sketch

Short Note:

• Gerrard: A calm, intelligent and quick-witted writer who, despite the danger, uses his presence of mind and conversational skill to trap the criminal.

• The Intruder: An escaped criminal, dangerous and desperate, who underestimates Gerrard's cleverness and reveals too much information about his plan.

3. Theme & Message

Short Note:

• The play highlights the power of presence of mind, quick thinking and courage in overcoming a life-threatening situation without physical confrontation.

• It also explores themes of identity, deception and the tension of a tightly plotted thriller confined to a single setting.

Reading With Insight (Textbook Questions)

Q1: What was the intruder's plan when he broke into Gerrard's house?
Answer: The intruder, an escaped convict, planned to kill Gerrard, take over his identity and appearance through surgery, and live in his house and life, using this as a way to escape recognition by the police.
Q2: How did Gerrard manage to save himself from the intruder?
Answer: Gerrard remained calm and used clever conversation to keep the intruder engaged, extracting details about his crimes and plan, and eventually convinced him to demonstrate how he would impersonate Gerrard, which allowed Gerrard to trap and overpower him before calling the police.
Q3: What does the play suggest about presence of mind in a crisis?
Answer: The play suggests that intelligence, calmness and clever strategy can be more powerful than physical strength or aggression when facing a dangerous situation, as Gerrard's wit alone saves his life.

Extract-Based / Short Answer Questions

Q4: Why is the title 'If I Were You' significant?
Answer: The title reflects the intruder's plan to literally become Gerrard by taking his identity, while ironically it is Gerrard's presence of mind, not the intruder's plan, that determines the final outcome, making the title deeply ironic.
Q5: What kind of play is 'If I Were You', and how does its setting contribute to the tension?
Answer: It is a tense one-act thriller set entirely within Gerrard's house, and this single, closed setting heightens the suspense as the audience feels the immediate danger and confinement experienced by the characters.
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Class 9 › English › If I Were You
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Topics in this chapter: Story/Play SummaryCharacter SketchTheme & Message