11. What is the profession of James Jones?

a) He is a lawyer

b) He is unemployed

c) He is a politician

d) He is a businessman

(Answer: b) He is unemployed

Explanation: James Jones is a poor, unemployed man who struggles to provide for his family. His lack of stable income forces him into a desperate situation, leading him to steal the silver box. His unemployment is a critical element of the play, as it reflects the economic struggles of the working class in early 20th-century Britain. The play shows how poverty and lack of opportunities can push people into crime, yet the legal system punishes them harshly instead of addressing the root causes of their struggles.

12. Who is Detective Snow?

a) A corrupt police officer

b) The butler of the Barthwick family

c) The officer who arrests Mrs. Jones

d) A wealthy judge

(Answer: c) The officer who arrests Mrs. Jones

Explanation: Detective Snow is the police officer responsible for investigating the missing silver box. He ultimately arrests Mrs. Jones, despite her innocence. Snow’s character represents the cold and mechanical nature of law enforcement, which focuses on evidence and appearances rather than fairness. His role in the play highlights the systemic bias in policing, where those in poverty are automatically suspected, while wealthy criminals like Jack Barthwick are ignored.

13. How does the play end?

a) Jack is punished for his crimes

b) James Jones and Mrs. Jones both go free

c) James Jones is sentenced, and Mrs. Jones is left homeless

d) The silver box is never found

(Answer: c) James Jones is sentenced, and Mrs. Jones is left homeless

Explanation: The play ends with James Jones being sentenced to hard labor, while Mrs. Jones is released but left completely helpless. This tragic conclusion emphasizes the play’s main theme—class-based injustice. While Jack Barthwick, a privileged young man, faces no consequences for his crimes, James Jones is severely punished for stealing something of far less value. Meanwhile, Mrs. Jones, despite her innocence, loses her job and home, showing how the poor suffer even when they are blameless.

14. What does Jack Barthwick’s behavior in the play represent?

a) The responsibility of the upper class

b) The carelessness and privilege of the wealthy

c) The intelligence of young men

d) The bravery of the rich

(Answer: b) The carelessness and privilege of the wealthy

Explanation: Jack Barthwick embodies the carelessness and privilege of the wealthy. He is irresponsible, reckless, and indifferent to the consequences of his actions. He steals a woman’s purse, writes a bad cheque, and shows no remorse. However, because he comes from a wealthy and influential family, he faces no punishment. His character serves as a contrast to James Jones, who is punished harshly despite being driven by desperation. This stark difference in treatment exposes the hypocrisy of the justice system.

15. What role does Marlow, the butler, play in the story?

a) He defends Jack in court

b) He testifies against Mrs. Jones in court

c) He helps Mrs. Jones escape

d) He confesses to stealing the silver box

(Answer: b) He testifies against Mrs. Jones in court

Explanation: Marlow, the Barthwick family’s butler, plays a key role in testifying against Mrs. Jones, despite knowing that she is likely innocent. His actions reinforce the power dynamics between the wealthy and their servants. Marlow’s testimony further strengthens the false case against Mrs. Jones, showing how loyalty to the rich often comes at the expense of justice. His role also highlights how servants in wealthy households were forced to align with their employers, even when it was morally questionable.

16. What is the significance of the courtroom scene?

a) It highlights the fairness of the justice system

b) It shows the double standards of justice for the rich and poor

c) It serves as a climax where all crimes are solved

d) It is used for comic relief

(Answer: b) It shows the double standards of justice for the rich and poor

Explanation: The courtroom scene is the most significant moment in the play, as it fully exposes the hypocrisy of the legal system. James Jones is found guilty and punished harshly, while Jack Barthwick is protected by his family’s wealth and influence. The scene demonstrates how the justice system favors the rich, treating them with leniency, while severely punishing the poor for lesser crimes. This moment serves as the ultimate critique of class inequality, reinforcing Galsworthy’s social message.

17. What does Mrs. Jones fear the most when she is arrested?

a) Losing her job and home

b) Being separated from her husband

c) Going to prison for life

d) Being recognized by the Barthwicks

(Answer: a) Losing her job and home

Explanation: Mrs. Jones’s greatest fear is losing her job and home, as it would leave her and her children completely destitute. Despite her innocence, she knows that her reputation will be ruined because of the false accusation. Unlike James Jones, who is more vocal in his anger, Mrs. Jones quietly endures her suffering, making her a tragic symbol of working-class women who bear the burden of poverty and injustice. Her fears highlight the dire consequences that legal bias has on the poor.

18. How does James Jones justify his theft?

a) He claims he was invited to take what he wanted

b) He says he was drunk and didn’t know what he was doing

c) He argues that the rich also steal but never face punishment

d) He claims he needed money for his sick child

(Answer: c) He argues that the rich also steal but never face punishment

Explanation: James Jones justifies his theft by arguing that the rich also steal, but they never face punishment. He sees his crime as an act of defiance against a system that has denied him opportunities. Unlike Jack Barthwick, who steals without consequences, Jones is immediately caught and punished. His argument exposes the fundamental unfairness of the justice system—if a rich person steals, they are protected, but if a poor person does the same, they are condemned.

19. How does Mr. Barthwick react to Mrs. Jones’s silent plea for help at the end?

a) He gives her money

b) He ignores her and leaves

c) He apologizes for accusing her

d) He offers her a job back at the house

(Answer: b) He ignores her and leaves

Explanation: In one of the most heartbreaking moments of the play, Mrs. Jones silently pleads with Mr. Barthwick for help, but he ignores her and walks away. This moment symbolizes the complete indifference of the upper class toward the suffering of the poor. Mr. Barthwick, a politician, should represent justice and fairness, yet he chooses to abandon an innocent woman instead of helping her. His lack of compassion reinforces the play’s theme of class cruelty.

20. What does The Silver Box ultimately criticize?

a) The kindness of the rich

b) The loyalty of servants

c) The corruption and hypocrisy of the justice system

d) The power of love

(Answer: c) The corruption and hypocrisy of the justice system

Explanation: The Silver Box is a direct critique of the corruption and hypocrisy of the justice system. It exposes how laws that claim to be impartial actually favor the wealthy while punishing the poor. Through the parallel crimes of Jack Barthwick and James Jones, Galsworthy demonstrates that justice is not applied equally. The symbolic silver box represents the tainted legal system, which protects the privileged while crushing the powerless. The play serves as a powerful call for reform.