Class 10 English - PUNJAB
Supplementary: A Question of Trust
Supplementary: A Question of Trust by Victor Canning tells the gripping story of Horace Danby, a meticulous and respectable 50-year-old lock maker who commits one safe robbery a year to finance his expensive hobby of collecting rare and expensive books. The narrative takes an ironic turn when he breaks into a country house and encounters a clever young woman posing as the mistress of the house, who outwits him by making him open the safe for her. This chapter is vital for the PSEB Class 10 board exams as it tests students' comprehension, character analysis, and ability to infer moral themes of irony and deception.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Irony of the Thief
The story centers on a major situational irony: Horace Danby, an experienced thief who prides himself on his professionalism, is easily outsmarted and robbed by another, more cunning thief.
Horace Danby's Character
Horace is generally considered an honest and respectable citizen in his community, yet he secretly commits one carefully planned robbery every year to buy rare books.
The Clever Young Lady
A charming woman in a red dress pretends to be the wife of the house owner, convincing Horace to break open the safe for her under the false promise of letting him go.
Theme of Trust
The title highlights the breakdown of trust among thieves; Horace trusts the young woman's word, ultimately leading to his arrest because his fingerprints are all over the safe.
Allergies as a Plot Device
Horace suffers from a severe allergy to pollen, which causes him to sneeze repeatedly, leaving crucial clues and disrupting his otherwise flawless burglary plan.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Punjab (PSEB) Class 10 English board examination, this supplementary chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Questions generally include short answer questions testing character traits, plot comprehension, and long-answer questions exploring the theme of irony and moral lessons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Horace Danby steal only once a year?
Horace steals once a year because he only needs enough money to buy rare and expensive books, and stealing in small amounts helps him avoid getting caught easily.
How did the young woman trick Horace Danby?
She acted very calmly, pretended to be the owner of the house, and threatened to call the police unless he opened the safe for her to retrieve her lost jewels.
Why was Horace Danby eventually arrested?
Horace was arrested because he took off his gloves to open the safe and his bare fingerprints were left all over the room, easily identifying him to the police.
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