41. What is the social status of the Barthwick family?

a) Aristocratic

b) Wealthy middle class

c) Poor working class

d) Royalty

(Answer: b) Wealthy middle class

Explanation: The Barthwick family belongs to the wealthy middle class, which means they are financially comfortable but not part of the aristocracy or nobility. John Barthwick, a politician, enjoys prestige and influence, allowing him to protect his son from legal consequences. The family’s wealth gives them access to legal protection and societal privileges, which is a stark contrast to the struggles of the working-class Jones family. Galsworthy uses this class disparity to highlight social injustice.

42. What does Jack Barthwick’s father fear the most?

a) Losing his wealth

b) Public scandal

c) His son’s imprisonment

d) Losing his political seat

(Answer: b) Public scandal

Explanation: John Barthwick’s greatest fear is public scandal, as it threatens both his political career and social standing. Despite his liberal political views, he is more concerned with maintaining appearances than ensuring justice. Instead of allowing his son to face consequences, he covers up Jack’s crime, ensuring that his reputation remains intact. This hypocrisy reinforces Galsworthy’s critique of the upper class, showing how they prioritize image over integrity.

43. What crime does James Jones commit apart from theft?

a) Fraud

b) Assaulting an officer

c) Murder

d) Kidnapping

(Answer: b) Assaulting an officer

Explanation: In addition to stealing the silver box, James Jones assaults a police officer when he is confronted. His anger and frustration stem from the injustice he experiences, as he sees wealthy criminals go unpunished while the poor suffer harsh consequences. His violent reaction seals his fate, as the court immediately condemns him without sympathy. This act, though impulsive, reflects the desperation and helplessness of the working class, who feel trapped in an unfair system.

44. What is the reaction of the court to Jack Barthwick’s involvement in the case?

a) He is arrested

b) He is asked to pay a fine

c) His actions are ignored due to his status

d) He confesses and takes responsibility

(Answer: c) His actions are ignored due to his status

Explanation: Despite Jack Barthwick’s crime, the court completely ignores his involvement because of his wealthy background. His father’s political influence ensures that Jack is never held accountable, reinforcing the play’s critique of class-based legal bias. Meanwhile, James Jones, a poor man, is severely punished for a lesser crime, showing how the justice system operates on privilege rather than fairness. This highlights Galsworthy’s theme of legal hypocrisy.

45. What does Mrs. Jones try to do when she discovers her husband stole the silver box?

a) She hides it

b) She plans to return it

c) She sells it for money

d) She denies knowing about it

(Answer: b) She plans to return it

Explanation: Mrs. Jones is an honest woman who immediately wants to return the stolen silver box upon discovering it. However, her good intentions do not matter, as she is wrongly accused of theft anyway. Her situation reflects how justice is often denied to the poor, as society assumes guilt based on class rather than evidence. Mrs. Jones’s plight demonstrates the powerlessness of the working class, reinforcing Galsworthy’s central theme of social inequality.

46. How does the play The Silver Box portray the legal system?

a) As fair and just

b) As biased towards the rich

c) As outdated and ineffective

d) As corrupt but improving

(Answer: b) As biased towards the rich

Explanation: The play portrays the legal system as biased in favor of the wealthy. While Jack Barthwick escapes punishment for theft, James Jones is severely penalized for stealing the silver box. The court system in the play serves as a tool of the rich, ensuring that those with influence remain untouchable while the poor suffer. Through this depiction, Galsworthy argues that justice is not based on fairness or morality, but on wealth and class privilege.

47. What does Jack Barthwick’s theft suggest about his character?

a) He is reckless and irresponsible

b) He is brave and honest

c) He is remorseful and apologetic

d) He is a victim of circumstance

(Answer: a) He is reckless and irresponsible

Explanation: Jack Barthwick’s actions demonstrate recklessness and irresponsibility. He steals a woman’s purse while drunk, but instead of taking responsibility, he laughs off his crime and denies memory of it. His privilege allows him to be careless, as he knows that his father will protect him from legal consequences. Jack’s character is a critique of the wealthy elite, showing how privilege shields them from accountability, while the poor suffer for much less.

48. What is the role of Roper in the play?

a) He is the judge

b) He is the lawyer for the Barthwicks

c) He is a journalist covering the case

d) He is a detective investigating the theft

(Answer: b) He is the lawyer for the Barthwicks

Explanation: Roper is the Barthwick family’s lawyer, and his role is to protect their interests at all costs. His job is not to seek justice, but to ensure that the family’s reputation remains intact. He represents the corrupt legal professionals who prioritize power and wealth over fairness. Through Roper’s character, Galsworthy highlights how the legal system is manipulated by the wealthy, ensuring that the rich avoid consequences while the poor bear the full weight of the law.

49. What does the play suggest about the treatment of women like Mrs. Jones?

a) They are given fair opportunities

b) They suffer more because of poverty and social status

c) They are respected despite their hardships

d) They have the same rights as wealthy women

(Answer: b) They suffer more because of poverty and social status

Explanation: The Silver Box portrays working-class women like Mrs. Jones as extremely vulnerable. She is wrongly accused, loses her job, and is left helpless because of her low social status. Unlike wealthy women, who have protection through their family’s influence, working-class women suffer injustice without any support. The play highlights how poverty and gender inequality intersect, making women like Mrs. Jones even more susceptible to social and legal oppression.

50. Who is Jack Barthwick?

a) A judge

b) A politician

c) A wealthy and irresponsible young man

d) A poor worker

(Answer: c) A wealthy and irresponsible young man

Explanation: Jack Barthwick is the spoiled, careless son of John Barthwick. As a wealthy and irresponsible young man, he indulges in reckless behavior, including stealing a purse while drunk. However, because of his privileged background, he faces no legal consequences. Jack serves as a symbol of upper-class impunity, as he is never held accountable for his actions. His character contrasts sharply with James Jones, who is punished harshly for a lesser crime, highlighting the unfair justice system.