61. What was The Silver Box primarily about?

a) A love story between two classes

b) The hypocrisy and injustice of the legal system

c) The struggles of war

d) The beauty of aristocratic life

(Answer: b) The hypocrisy and injustice of the legal system

Explanation: The Silver Box is a critique of the legal system’s double standards. It tells the story of two thefts—one by a wealthy man and one by a poor man—and highlights how the rich escape punishment while the poor suffer severe consequences. Unlike many plays of its time that focused on romantic or historical themes, The Silver Box was a sharp social commentary on class inequality, exposing the corruption and bias of the justice system.

62. Which theme is NOT present in The Silver Box?

a) Class inequality

b) Social justice

c) Supernatural horror

d) Hypocrisy of the wealthy

(Answer: c) Supernatural horror

Explanation: The Silver Box is firmly rooted in social realism, dealing with themes of class inequality, injustice, and the hypocrisy of the wealthy. Supernatural horror, however, is completely absent. Unlike Gothic literature or mystery dramas, this play does not involve ghosts, supernatural forces, or elements of horror. Instead, Galsworthy relies on realistic and thought-provoking storytelling to expose societal corruption.

63. What does the silver box symbolize in the play?

a) Innocence

b) Wealth, corruption, and double standards in justice

c) Freedom

d) True love

(Answer: b) Wealth, corruption, and double standards in justice

Explanation: The silver box is a powerful symbol of wealth, corruption, and legal hypocrisy. Its material value is insignificant compared to what it represents—the stark contrast between how the rich and poor are treated under the law. While both Jack Barthwick and James Jones commit theft, only James is punished, showing that justice is not blind but influenced by social status. The box itself is a metaphor for the legal system—polished on the surface but corrupt underneath.

64. How does The Silver Box highlight class injustice?

a) The rich escape punishment while the poor suffer

b) The poor are given more privileges than the rich

c) Both rich and poor are treated equally

d) The play suggests that justice is always served

(Answer: a) The rich escape punishment while the poor suffer

Explanation: The Silver Box exposes class injustice by showing how the rich escape punishment while the poor suffer. Jack Barthwick, the son of a wealthy politician, steals but faces no consequences, whereas James Jones, an unemployed worker, is sentenced to hard labor for a similar crime. This contrast illustrates the corruption of the legal system, reinforcing the idea that laws protect the privileged while oppressing the disadvantaged.

65. Which literary movement does The Silver Box belong to?

a) Romanticism

b) Social Realism

c) Modernism

d) Surrealism

(Answer: b) Social Realism

Explanation: The Silver Box is an example of Social Realism, a literary movement that focuses on realistic portrayals of everyday struggles, particularly those of the working class. Unlike Romanticism (which idealizes emotions and nature), Modernism (which experiments with form and style), and Surrealism (which explores dreamlike and illogical elements), Social Realism is grounded in reality and highlights the injustices of society. Galsworthy uses realistic characters and situations to criticize the legal system and class inequality.

66. How does John Galsworthy criticize the legal system in The Silver Box?

a) By portraying all lawyers as corrupt

b) By showing how wealth influences justice

c) By focusing on political corruption

d) By presenting a utopian legal system

(Answer: b) By showing how wealth influences justice

Explanation: Galsworthy exposes the influence of wealth on justice by contrasting the legal treatment of Jack Barthwick and James Jones. While Jack, a wealthy politician’s son, is protected and avoids punishment for theft, James, a poor man, is arrested and sentenced harshly. This stark difference emphasizes the class bias in the legal system, proving that justice is not truly impartial. Instead of outright condemning all legal professionals, Galsworthy criticizes the system that favors the privileged over the disadvantaged.

67. What is the historical significance of The Silver Box?

a) It was the first British play to be performed in America

b) It exposed early 20th-century class divisions and legal bias

c) It promoted romantic ideals in the modern era

d) It was a propaganda piece for British imperialism

(Answer: b) It exposed early 20th-century class divisions and legal bias

Explanation: The Silver Box is historically significant because it boldly exposed class divisions and legal bias in early 20th-century Britain. The play premiered in 1906, a time when social inequality and injustice were rampant. It was one of the first plays to openly critique the double standards of the legal system. Unlike many works of its time that romanticized aristocratic life or ignored social issues, The Silver Box made audiences confront uncomfortable truths about class privilege and legal corruption.

68. What impact did The Silver Box have on Galsworthy’s career?

a) It established him as a major playwright of social realism

b) It led to his imprisonment for political views

c) It was a failure and discouraged him from writing further

d) It made him famous as a romance writer

(Answer: a) It established him as a major playwright of social realism

Explanation: The Silver Box was Galsworthy’s first major success as a playwright and established him as a leading figure in social realism. His unflinching portrayal of class-based injustice gained him recognition as a writer willing to challenge the status quo. The play’s success encouraged him to continue writing about social issues, leading to later plays such as Justice (1910). Instead of romantic or escapist literature, Galsworthy focused on real-life struggles, particularly those of the working class.

69. How does Galsworthy portray the upper class in The Silver Box?

a) As generous and kind

b) As hypocritical and selfish

c) As victims of false accusations

d) As hardworking and humble

(Answer: b) As hypocritical and selfish

Explanation: Galsworthy portrays the upper class as hypocritical and self-serving, particularly through John Barthwick, a politician who preaches justice but protects his own son from it. The Barthwick family’s double standards are clear—they call for law and order but manipulate the system to avoid personal consequences. This portrayal aligns with Galsworthy’s critical view of the privileged elite, showing how they maintain their power at the expense of the working class.

70. How does The Silver Box differ from other plays of its time?

a) It focuses on supernatural elements

b) It directly criticizes the British justice system

c) It avoids any political themes

d) It glorifies the rich and powerful

(Answer: b) It directly criticizes the British justice system

Explanation: Unlike many plays of its time, The Silver Box openly criticizes the British justice system. While other plays often focused on romance, adventure, or historical themes, Galsworthy deliberately addressed the class struggles and legal corruption of contemporary society. His willingness to confront social issues head-on made The Silver Box a pioneering work in social realism, setting it apart from escapist dramas that avoided political controversy.