Notes For All Chapters English Beehive Class 9
About the Story
Author: Douglas James
The story is set in a small, lonely cottage in Essex, England.It is a suspenseful one-act play about a clever playwright named Gerrard who lives alone.One day, a criminal intruder enters his house with a revolver.The intruder plans to kill Gerrard and live using his identity to escape from the police.Using his intelligence, calmness, and presence of mind, Gerrard outwits the intruder and locks him in a cupboard.The story teaches that clever thinking and courage can save us even in dangerous situations.
Main Characters
1. Gerrard
- A playwright (dramatist) who lives alone in a cottage.
- Smart, witty, calm, and confident even in danger.
- Uses his quick thinking to trick the intruder.
- Pretends to be a criminal to confuse the intruder.
- Represents intelligence, bravery, and presence of mind.
2. The Intruder
- A criminal and murderer who breaks into Gerrard’s house.
- Wants to kill Gerrard and live as him to hide from the police.
- Overconfident, proud, and foolish.
- Thinks he is very smart but gets trapped by Gerrard in the end.
Summary of the Story
Gerrard, a playwright, lives alone in a quiet cottage. One day, while he is talking on the phone and packing his bag, an intruder enters his house with a gun.
The intruder plans to kill Gerrard and take on his identity because Gerrard lives alone and looks similar to him. He believes this will help him escape from the police.
However, Gerrard remains calm and talks cleverly. He pretends to be a criminal himself and tells the intruder that he has also killed someone and is expecting trouble from the police that night.
Gerrard says he has a disguise and a packed bag ready to escape. When the phone rings, Gerrard uses the moment to push the intruder into a cupboard and locks it from outside.
Finally, Gerrard picks up the intruder’s revolver, calls the police, and jokes that he might use this incident in his next play.
Main Themes
1. Presence of Mind and Intelligence
Gerrard shows that calmness and quick thinking can overcome danger and violence.
2. Crime and Punishment
The intruder’s overconfidence leads to his failure and capture.
3. Deception and Identity
Both characters use lies – Gerrard to save himself and the intruder to hide his crime.
4. Courage and Wit
The play highlights how intelligence is more powerful than physical force.
Important Points
- Setting: Gerrard’s lonely cottage in Essex, England.
- Gerrard’s Profession: Playwright (dramatist).
- Intruder’s Plan: To kill Gerrard and live as him.
- Gerrard’s Trick: Pretends to be a criminal and traps the intruder.
- Ending: Gerrard locks the intruder in a cupboard and calls the police.
- Famous Line: “This is your big surprise.”
- Message: Intelligence, calmness, and courage are the best weapons against danger.
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