Class 10 English - MP
Supplementary: A Question of Trust
Supplementary chapter A Question of Trust from the MPBSE Class 10 English curriculum tells the intriguing story of Horace Danby, a meticulous and respectable fifty-year-old lock smith who secretly commits one safe robbery a year to finance his expensive hobby of collecting rare and expensive books. The narrative explores the ironies of crime and trust when Horace meets a clever young woman posing as the owner of the house he is trying to rob, who ultimately outsmarts him. For MPBSE board exams, questions focus on character analysis, theme of trust among thieves, and plot comprehension.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Horace Danby's Dual Personality
Horace is respected as an honest, law-abiding citizen and successful businessman, yet he is secretly a professional thief who plans his robberies meticulously once a year.
The Passion for Rare Books
Horace’s only motive for stealing is his deep love for rare and costly books, which he buys through agents, showing that even criminals can have cultured tastes.
The Clever Lady in Red
A young woman posing as the homeowner catches Horace in the act. She cleverly manipulates him into opening the safe for her under the false promise of letting him go.
Irony of the Story
The ultimate irony is that Horace, an expert safe cracker, is easily tricked by another, much smarter thief, leading to his arrest. This proves there is no honor among thieves.
Theme of Trust
The title A Question of Trust highlights how Horace blindly trusts the young woman, believing she is the owner, which ultimately becomes the cause of his downfall.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Madhya Pradesh (MPBSE) Class 10 English board examination, supplementary reader chapters like A Question of Trust typically carry around 3 to 5 marks. Questions mostly include short-answer type questions about the plot, character sketches of Horace Danby, or long-answer questions discussing the moral and title of the story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Horace Danby steal only once a year?
Horace steals only once a year because he wants to steal enough money to last for twelve months to buy rare and expensive books, which are his passion.
Who was the real owner of the house at Shotover Grange?
The real owner of the house was a fifty-year-old woman, whereas the young, beautiful lady in red who tricked Horace was actually another thief.
How was Horace Danby finally arrested?
Horace was arrested because he opened the safe without wearing gloves at the insistence of the lady in red, leaving his fingerprints all over the room.
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