1. Who is the author of The Silver Box?
a) George Bernard Shaw
b) John Galsworthy
c) Oscar Wilde
d) Henrik Ibsen
(Answer: b) John Galsworthy
Explanation: John Galsworthy (1867–1933) was an English novelist and playwright best known for his works that explored themes of social justice, class inequality, and moral hypocrisy. The Silver Box (1906) was his first play, marking his transition from fiction to drama. The play established him as a writer concerned with exposing societal injustices, particularly the biases of the legal system. Unlike Shaw, Wilde, and Ibsen—who also tackled social themes—Galsworthy focused on realism and legal inequality.
2. When was The Silver Box first performed?
a) 1895
b) 1906
c) 1910
d) 1925
(Answer: b) 1906
Explanation: The Silver Box was first performed on September 25, 1906, at the Royal Court Theatre in London. This was a significant moment in Galsworthy’s career, as it introduced his dramatic style to the public. The play was later published as part of Plays in Three Series: First Series. The timing of its release was crucial, as the early 20th century saw growing social awareness about class struggles, legal bias, and wealth inequality, all of which are central themes in the play.
3. What is the central theme of The Silver Box?
a) Romantic love
b) Social justice and class inequality
c) War and patriotism
d) Fantasy and imagination
(Answer: b) Social justice and class inequality
Explanation: The central theme of The Silver Box is social justice and class inequality. The play contrasts the legal treatment of a wealthy young man (Jack Barthwick), who commits theft, and a poor man (James Jones), who also steals but faces severe punishment. Galsworthy critiques the British legal system, demonstrating how wealth and influence protect the rich from consequences while the poor are condemned. The play’s focus on justice, hypocrisy, and double standards makes it a powerful work of social realism.
4. What does the silver box symbolize in the play?
a) Wealth and corruption
b) Love and fidelity
c) Political power
d) Family unity
(Answer: a) Wealth and corruption
Explanation: The silver box is a powerful symbol of wealth and corruption. It represents privilege, inequality, and the selective nature of justice. Although both Jack Barthwick and James Jones commit theft, only Jones is punished, illustrating the corrupt legal system that favors the rich. The box, a seemingly trivial object, exposes the deeper flaws of society—just like wealth, it is attractive and valuable but also tainted by injustice. The contrast between its material worth and the suffering of the poor is a key theme.
5. What crime does Jack Barthwick commit?
a) He steals a silver box
b) He robs a bank
c) He writes a bad cheque and steals a purse
d) He murders someone
(Answer: c) He writes a bad cheque and steals a purse
Explanation: Jack Barthwick, a privileged young man, commits two offenses—he writes a bad cheque and steals a woman’s purse while drunk. His actions demonstrate his recklessness and lack of accountability. Despite his crimes, his wealthy father protects him from any consequences, highlighting the play’s critique of legal and social inequality. The injustice is further emphasized when James Jones, a poor man, is harshly punished for a similar crime, while Jack faces no repercussions.
6. Who is accused of stealing the silver box?
a) Jack Barthwick
b) Mrs. Jones
c) Marlow
d) Wheeler
(Answer: b) Mrs. Jones
Explanation: Mrs. Jones, the wife of James Jones, is wrongfully accused of stealing the silver box. She works as a charwoman (cleaning lady) in the Barthwick household, and since the box goes missing on the same day she was working there, suspicion falls on her. This reflects how the justice system is biased against the poor, often making them easy scapegoats. In reality, it was her husband, James Jones, who stole the box, but Mrs. Jones suffers the consequences.
7. Who actually steals the silver box?
a) Jack Barthwick
b) James Jones
c) Detective Snow
d) Mrs. Barthwick
(Answer: b) James Jones
Explanation: James Jones, an unemployed and desperate man, steals the silver box out of frustration and resentment towards the wealthy. His act is partly symbolic revenge against a system that keeps him oppressed. Unlike Jack Barthwick, who also stole but was protected, James is quickly caught and severely punished. This demonstrates the play’s key message about legal double standards—the rich escape justice while the poor suffer disproportionate penalties for similar or lesser crimes.
8. How does Jack Barthwick react when accused of theft?
a) He confesses immediately
b) He denies remembering anything because he was drunk
c) He apologizes and returns the purse
d) He runs away
(Answer: b) He denies remembering anything because he was drunk
Explanation: When confronted about stealing a purse, Jack Barthwick denies any memory of the incident, claiming that he was too drunk to remember. His lack of remorse and indifference highlight his privileged upbringing, where he is not held accountable for his actions. This also serves as a contrast to James Jones, who is not given the same opportunity to evade justice. Jack’s father even bribes the victim to keep quiet, further proving how wealth can manipulate the legal system.
9. How does Mr. Barthwick handle Jack’s crime?
a) He reports him to the police
b) He pays off the woman to keep quiet
c) He scolds him but does nothing else
d) He sends him away to another country
(Answer: b) He pays off the woman to keep quiet
Explanation: Rather than allowing Jack to face justice, Mr. Barthwick secretly pays off the woman whose purse was stolen, ensuring that his son faces no legal repercussions. This act of covering up wrongdoing is a direct critique of how the wealthy use money to manipulate justice. Mr. Barthwick’s actions expose the moral hypocrisy of the upper class—they speak about law and order in public, yet protect their own at all costs in private.
10. Where is The Silver Box primarily set?
a) A courtroom
b) The Barthwick household and the Jones household
c) A factory
d) A school
(Answer: b) The Barthwick household and the Jones household
Explanation: The play takes place primarily in two contrasting settings—the wealthy Barthwick household and the poverty-stricken home of the Jones family. This sharp contrast in living conditions visually reinforces the theme of class inequality. The third act moves to a police courtroom, where the injustice is fully exposed. By using these settings, Galsworthy emphasizes the disparities between rich and poor, making the injustice in the legal system even more apparent.
