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I. Answer these questions. 1. “At last a sympathetic au... - Beehive
I. Answer these questions.
1. “At last a sympathetic audience.”
(i) Who says this?
(ii) Why does he say it?
(iii) Is he sarcastic or serious?
2. Why does the intruder choose Gerrard as the man whose identity he wants to take on?
3. “I said it with bullets.”
(i) Who says this?
(ii) What does it mean?
(iii) Is it the truth? What is the speaker’s reason for saying this?
4. What is Gerrard’s profession? Quote the parts of the play that support your answer.
5. “You’ll soon stop being smart.”
(i) Who says this?
(ii) Why does the speaker say it?
(iii) What according to the speaker will stop Gerrard from being smart?
6. “They can’t hang me twice.”
(i) Who says this?
(ii) Why does the speaker say it?
7. “A mystery I propose to explain.” What is the mystery the speaker proposes to explain?
8. “This is your big surprise.”
(i) Where has this been said in the play?
(ii) What is the surprise?
1. “At last a sympathetic audience.”
(i) Gerrard says this.
(ii) He says it because the Intruder asks him to talk about his life.
(iii) He is being sarcastic.
2. Why does the intruder choose Gerrard as the man whose identity he wants to take on?
The Intruder chooses Gerrard because they are similar in physical build. Also, Gerrard lives in a lonely cottage, is a bit of a mystery man who doesn't see many people, and often disappears suddenly, making it easy for the Intruder to take his place without being noticed.
3. “I said it with bullets.”
(i) Gerrard says this.
(ii) It means that he used a gun to kill someone.
(iii) No, it is not the truth. Gerrard says this to convince the Intruder that he is also a dangerous criminal on the run, so that the Intruder won't kill him and take his identity.
4. What is Gerrard’s profession? Quote the parts of the play that support your answer.
Gerrard is a playwright or someone involved in the theatre.
Supporting quotes:
"This is all very melodramatic, not very original..."
"In most melodramas the villain is foolish..."
"I can’t let you have the props in time for rehearsal."
5. “You’ll soon stop being smart.”
(i) The Intruder says this.
(ii) He says it because Gerrard is acting cool and making witty remarks instead of showing fear.
(iii) According to the speaker, the threat of being shot or hurt will stop Gerrard from being smart.
6. “They can’t hang me twice.”
(i) The Intruder says this.
(ii) He says it because he has already committed one murder. He believes that even if he kills Gerrard, the punishment (death penalty) will remain the same.
7. “A mystery I propose to explain.” What is the mystery the speaker proposes to explain?
The mystery is why Gerrard lives in such a secluded place, has very few visitors, and leaves suddenly on business. Gerrard makes up a fake story that he is a criminal who is also hiding from the police to explain his mysterious lifestyle.
8. “This is your big surprise.”
(i) Gerrard says this to the Intruder towards the end of the play.
(ii) The surprise is Gerrard's fake claim that he is also a murderer on the run, and that the police are about to raid his house. He uses this "surprise" to trick the Intruder into the cupboard.