51. What is the role of James Jones in the play?

a) A butler in the Barthwick household

b) A politician’s friend

c) A poor and unemployed man who steals the silver box

d) A judge who oversees the case

(Answer: c) A poor and unemployed man who steals the silver box

Explanation: James Jones is a struggling, unemployed worker who steals the silver box out of desperation and frustration. His poverty and status as a working-class man make him vulnerable to harsh legal consequences. Unlike Jack Barthwick, who also commits a crime but escapes punishment, James is quickly arrested and sentenced to hard labor. His character serves as a critique of social inequality, demonstrating how the poor suffer disproportionately under an unfair legal system.

52. How is Mrs. Jones portrayed in the play?

a) A greedy and cunning thief

b) A hardworking, suffering woman

c) A wealthy aristocrat

d) A strict lawyer

(Answer: b) A hardworking, suffering woman

Explanation: Mrs. Jones is portrayed as a hardworking and suffering woman who endures both economic and social hardship. She works as a charwoman (cleaner) for the wealthy Barthwicks but is falsely accused of theft when the silver box is stolen. Despite her innocence, she becomes a victim of systemic injustice, losing her job and home. Her tragic situation emphasizes the vulnerability of poor working-class women, who suffer not only due to financial struggles but also because of their lower status in society.

53. Who is John Barthwick?

a) A Liberal MP who represents the hypocrisy of the upper class

b) A working-class man fighting for justice

c) A police officer investigating the theft

d) A journalist exposing corruption

(Answer: a) A Liberal MP who represents the hypocrisy of the upper class

Explanation: John Barthwick is a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) who outwardly supports justice and equality but contradicts his principles through his actions. His political stance does not align with his behavior, as he protects his son from punishment while allowing an innocent working-class woman to suffer. His character represents upper-class hypocrisy, highlighting how many political figures promote fairness in public but manipulate the system to serve their personal interests.

54. What does Detective Snow do in the play?

a) Helps James Jones escape

b) Investigates the theft and arrests Mrs. Jones

c) Defends Mrs. Jones in court

d) Lies in court to protect Jack

(Answer: b) Investigates the theft and arrests Mrs. Jones

Explanation: Detective Snow is responsible for investigating the case and making arrests. However, his actions reveal the biases of law enforcement—he quickly arrests Mrs. Jones despite her innocence, while ignoring Jack Barthwick’s crimes. This reinforces the theme of legal injustice, as the police target the poor and vulnerable while shielding the wealthy from consequences. Snow’s role in the play serves to critique the partiality and prejudice within the legal system.

55. How does Mrs. Barthwick view the working class?

a) She sympathizes with their struggles

b) She believes they should remain in their place and not seek more

c) She fights for their rights

d) She ignores them completely

(Answer: b) She believes they should remain in their place and not seek more

Explanation: Mrs. Barthwick embodies the upper-class attitude of entitlement and social superiority. She firmly believes that the working class should remain in their designated place and not demand more rights or opportunities. This elitist mindset reinforces the rigid social structure of the time, where the wealthy felt justified in their privileges while dismissing the struggles of the poor. Mrs. Barthwick’s character helps emphasize how wealth often fosters ignorance and prejudice toward the lower class.

56. What does Jack Barthwick do when confronted about stealing the purse?

a) He confesses and apologizes

b) He denies remembering anything because he was drunk

c) He runs away from home

d) He blames Mrs. Jones

(Answer: b) He denies remembering anything because he was drunk

Explanation: Jack Barthwick refuses to take responsibility for his actions, claiming that he does not remember stealing the purse because he was drunk. This reaction shows his irresponsibility, privilege, and lack of accountability. Instead of facing the consequences, he hides behind his father’s wealth and influence, knowing that he will be protected. This moment underscores the central theme of legal hypocrisy, where wealthy criminals escape punishment while the poor suffer harsh consequences.

57. How does James Jones justify his theft of the silver box?

a) He claims it was given to him

b) He says he stole it because the rich steal without punishment

c) He denies stealing it

d) He blames his wife

(Answer: b) He says he stole it because the rich steal without punishment

Explanation: James Jones argues that his theft is no worse than the crimes of the wealthy, who steal in different ways but never face punishment. His words reflect his frustration with a society that protects the rich while punishing the poor. Although his theft is morally wrong, it serves as an act of defiance against an unjust system. His argument aligns with Galsworthy’s central critique—that justice is not truly impartial but is influenced by wealth and class privilege.

58. What was the setting of the first performance of The Silver Box?

a) The Globe Theatre

b) The Royal Court Theatre, London

c) The Lyceum Theatre

d) Broadway, New York

(Answer: b) The Royal Court Theatre, London

Explanation: The play premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London, which was known for staging socially relevant and experimental works. The Royal Court Theatre was a hub for early modern drama, featuring plays that focused on realism and social issues. This venue was fitting for The Silver Box, as it allowed audiences to engage with its critique of class injustice. The play’s success at this theatre helped establish Galsworthy’s reputation as a playwright.

59. In which year was The Silver Box first published?

a) 1905

b) 1906

c) 1910

d) 1912

(Answer: b) 1906

Explanation: The Silver Box was both performed and published in 1906. The publication helped spread its social message to a wider audience, allowing readers to critically engage with its themes. By publishing the play alongside its performance, Galsworthy ensured that its impact extended beyond the stage, reaching scholars, critics, and reformers who were interested in class struggles and legal inequalities.

60. The Silver Box was part of which of Galsworthy’s collections?

a) Plays in Three Series: First Series

b) The Forsyte Saga

c) Man and Superman

d) Pygmalion

(Answer: a) Plays in Three Series: First Series

Explanation: The Silver Box was included in Galsworthy’s collection, Plays in Three Series: First Series. This collection focused on realistic dramas that addressed social issues, including class discrimination and the flaws in the justice system. The Forsyte Saga (option b) was Galsworthy’s most famous novel series, but it was unrelated to The Silver Box. Options (c) and (d)—Man and Superman and Pygmalion—were written by George Bernard Shaw, not Galsworthy.