He says it when the Intruder demands to know about his life, pretending the Intruder is genuinely interested in his story.
He is sarcastic, as he knows the Intruder only wants information for his criminal plan, not to listen sympathetically.
2. Why does the Intruder choose Gerrard as the man whose identity he wants to take on?
The Intruder chooses Gerrard because he's a mystery man who lives alone, rarely sees tradespeople, phones orders, and travels unpredictably—habits that suit the Intruder's need to evade the police after killing a cop.
3. "I said it with bullets."
Who says this?
What does it mean?
Is it the truth? What is the speaker's reason for saying this?
Gerrard says this.
It means he used violence (bullets) to resolve a situation, implying he's dangerous.
It's not the truth; Gerrard lies to make the Intruder doubt his plan, suggesting Gerrard's identity is risky because he's wanted by the police.
4. What is Gerrard's profession? Quote the parts of the play that support your answer.
Gerrard is a playwright. Evidence: "Sorry I can't let you have the props in time for rehearsal, I've had a spot of bother—quite amusing. I think I'll put it in my next play."
5. "You'll soon stop being smart."
Who says this?
Why does the speaker say it?
What according to the speaker will stop Gerrard from being smart?
The Intruder says this.
He says it because he's annoyed by Gerrard's calm, witty responses, which undermine his control.
The Intruder believes threatening Gerrard with a gun and making him "crawl" will stop his smart attitude.
6. "They can't hang me twice."
Who says this?
Why does the speaker say it?
The Intruder says this.
He says it to justify planning to murder Gerrard, as he's already wanted for murder, so another killing won't increase his punishment.
7. "A mystery I propose to explain." What is the mystery the speaker proposes to explain?
Gerrard proposes to explain why he's a mystery man—living alone, rarely seeing tradespeople, and traveling unpredictably—hinting his identity is tied to criminal activity, which he uses to mislead the Intruder.
8. "This is your big surprise."
Where has this been said in the play?
What is the surprise?
The Intruder says this when revealing his plan to Gerrard.
The surprise is that the Intruder intends to kill Gerrard and assume his identity to escape the police.
Thinking about Language
1. The (site, cite) of the accident was (ghastly/ghostly).
Site, ghastly
2. Our college (principle/principal) is very strict.
Principal
3. I studied (continuously/continually) for eight hours.
Continuously
4. The fog had an adverse (affect/effect) on the traffic.
Effect
5. Cezanne, the famous French painter, was a brilliant (artist/artiste).
Artist
6. The book that you gave me yesterday is an extraordinary (collage/college) of science fiction and mystery.
Collage
7. Our school will (host/hoist) an exhibition on cruelty to animals and wildlife conservation.
Host
8. Screw the lid tightly onto the top of the bottle and (shake/shape) well before using the contents.
Shake
What the author says
What he means
Why, this is a surprise, Mr—er—
He pretends the Intruder is a welcome social visitor, hiding his fear.
At last a sympathetic audience!
He sarcastically implies the Intruder cares about his life story, when he's only after information.
A trifle sudden isn't it; you've not been invited.
He mocks the Intruder's plan to live as him, implying it's rude and absurd.
You're not particularly decorative.
He sarcastically insults the Intruder's appearance, suggesting he won't easily pass as Gerrard.
A little harsh, isn't it?
He understates the Intruder's murder plan, mocking its severity to stay calm.
Speaking
1. Imagine you are Gerrard. Tell your friend what happened when the Intruder broke into your house.
Dear friend, you won't believe what happened! A flashy chap, dressed in an overcoat and soft hat, barged into my cottage, waving a revolver. He spoke with an American twang, calling me a "wise guy" and demanding details about my life. His plan? To kill me and steal my identity—Vincent Charles Gerrard—to dodge the police after murdering a cop. He thought my mysterious habits, like phoning orders and sudden trips, were perfect for his escape. But I kept cool, tossing witty remarks to rattle him. When the phone rang, I tricked him into checking a cupboard, claiming the police were coming. As he peeked, I shoved him in, locked it, and grabbed his gun. The police arrived, and I'm safe—might even write a play about it!
2. Enact the play in the class. Pay special attention to words given in italics before a dialogue.
This is a class activity. Practice the play, noting italicized stage directions like "(pleasantly)" or "(with heavy sarcasm)" to guide tone, movements, and expressions for an authentic performance.
Writing
Which of the words below describe Gerrard and which describe the Intruder? Write a paragraph each about Gerrard and the Intruder to show what qualities they have.
Gerrard: Smart, humorous, clever, cool, confident, witty, nonchalant
Gerrard is a smart and witty playwright who stays cool under pressure. When an Intruder threatens him, his confident, nonchalant responses, like "A little harsh, isn't it?" show his clever humor. He outwits the Intruder by staying calm, using irony, and tricking him into a cupboard, proving his sharp mind and composure.
Intruder: Flashy, confident
The Intruder is a flashy criminal, dressed in an overcoat and soft hat, exuding confidence in his plan to kill Gerrard and steal his identity. His brash, "I'm the top of the class" attitude reveals his bold but reckless nature, which Gerrard exploits to foil his scheme.
Convert the play into a story (150-200 words). Provide a suitable title to it.
The Clever Disguise
In a quiet Essex cottage, Vincent Gerrard, a witty playwright, was packing when a flashy Intruder, revolver in hand, barged in. The criminal, wanted for murder, planned to kill Gerrard and assume his identity to escape the police. "You'll soon stop being smart," he sneered, but Gerrard's cool retorts, like "A trifle sudden, isn't it?" kept him off balance. The Intruder, thinking Gerrard's mysterious lifestyle—rare visitors, sudden trips—was perfect, demanded details. Gerrard, sensing opportunity, spun a tale of being a criminal himself, hinting his identity was risky. When the phone rang, Gerrard claimed the police were near, luring the Intruder to check a cupboard. With a swift push, Gerrard locked him inside, grabbed the gun, and called the police. "I'll put this in my next play," he chuckled. Gerrard's cleverness turned a deadly surprise into a triumph, proving brains outshine brawn. (150 words)