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people for his selfish gains. But his wickedness cannot
sustain him for long.

The intruder is a criminal who had been eluding the police
ever since he killed a cop. Having no remorse for the crime he
has committed, he is further sinking in the mire of criminal
activities. Over confidence makes him feel that he has brilliant
plan of murdering Gerrard and escaping the law by
impersonating him.

However, he is soon out- witted by Gerrard and he
unsuspectingly walks into the latter’s trap. All his tall claims
about his intelligence prove to be hollow. This heartless and
hardened criminal meets a befitting punishment.

2. Gerrard

Gerrard, the protagonist of “If I were You” is portrayed as a
man of many virtues. He is endowed with brilliant wit, a sharp
mind, smart thinking, and a sense of humour. All these
qualities, combined with a cool temperament enable him to
handle even a life threatening situation very successfully and
easily.

Gerrard is associated with the theatre, He writes, acts and
provides props for plays. He is refined and cultured man, who
keeps his cool even in the most difficult situations. The sight
of an intruder doesn’t ruffle him and he talks to him very
courteously and pleasantly. His sense of humour irritates the
intruder many times. Even when acting funny, he keeps his
presence of mind and lays a trap for the intruder.

Everything comes so naturally and spontaneously to him that
the intruder walks into the trap unsuspectingly. Gerrard’s
intelligence not only outwits the intruder and saves his own
life, but also helps the police in nabbing a wanted criminal. In
fact, Gerrard with his un-agitated, composed mind stands as a
foil to the cruel and villainous intruder

NCERT (to be written in class work notebook)

Answer these questions.
1. “At last a sympathetic audience.”
(i) Who says this?