The Silver Box
The Silver Box Summary
The Silver Box was written by John Galsworthy in 1906 and first performed on September 25, 1906, at the Royal Court Theatre in London. It was later published in 1906 as part of a collection titled Plays in Three Series: First Series.
This play marked Galsworthy’s debut as a playwright and was the beginning of his career in social realism. It is one of his many works that focus on class struggles, justice, and morality, themes he explored throughout his literary career. The play was well-received for its sharp criticism of the British legal system, exposing the double standards in justice for the rich and the poor.
The play The Silver Box by John Galsworthy is a social drama that highlights the differences in justice for the rich and the poor. It tells the story of two thefts—one committed by a privileged young man and the other by a poor worker—and shows how society treats them differently.
The story begins in the wealthy Barthwick household, where John Barthwick, a politician, and his wife discuss politics and social issues while having breakfast. Their son, Jack Barthwick, comes in late, suffering from a hangover after a night of drinking. A letter arrives, revealing that Jack had written a bad cheque, which his father had to cover. Jack, however, seems unconcerned about his actions. Meanwhile, their butler, Marlow, reports that a woman has come to see Jack. The woman, who remains unnamed, claims that Jack took her purse while drunk the previous night. Jack does not remember anything, but the woman insists she needs her money back to pay her rent. Eventually, Barthwick, embarrassed, gives her money to make her leave quietly.
Later, they realize that a silver cigarette box is missing from the house. Suspicion falls on Mrs. Jones, the charwoman, who cleans for the Barthwicks. She had been working there that morning, and Marlow saw her alone in the room where the box was kept. When Barthwick questions her, she denies stealing it but appears nervous. He orders an investigation, and Detective Snow is sent to her home.
In the second act, the scene shifts to the poor Jones household. Mrs. Jones returns home with a small amount of food after a half-day of work. Her husband, James Jones, is unemployed, bitter, and angry at society. He complains about how hard it is to find work and how the rich live comfortably while men like him suffer. Mrs. Jones, tired and hopeless, listens quietly. She tells him that they owe rent, and their landlord is demanding money.
Jones, who is drunk, suddenly pulls out a red silk purse and a silver cigarette box from his pocket, revealing that he has stolen them. His wife is shocked and begs him to return them, knowing it will ruin their lives if discovered. Jones, however, is stubborn and claims he took the box out of spite after drinking whisky with a rich young man—Jack Barthwick. Before they can decide what to do, Detective Snow arrives and arrests Mrs. Jones for the theft. Jones, furious, tries to stop the arrest, assaulting the officer in the process, which leads to his arrest as well.
The third act takes place in a police court where Mrs. Jones and James Jones are on trial. The magistrate first deals with another case involving two young girls whose mother has abandoned them, showing the harsh realities of poverty. Then, the Joneses’ case begins. The butler, Marlow, and Detective Snow testify, confirming that the box was found in their home and that Jones was violent during his arrest.
Jack Barthwick is called as a witness. He claims he does not remember much from that night because he was drunk. Jones, however, insists that Jack invited him inside, offered him whisky and cigars, and told him to take whatever he liked. Jack denies this, and his wealthy father, concerned about their reputation, whispers to their lawyer, Roper, urging him to keep Jack’s theft of the purse out of the case.
The magistrate then declares Mrs. Jones innocent, saying it is unfortunate that her husband’s actions have ruined her life. She is free to go but now has no job and no home. Jones, on the other hand, is sentenced to one month of hard labor. As he is dragged away, he shouts angrily about how unfair the system is, pointing out that Jack also stole something but faced no punishment because of his wealth.
As the court adjourns, Barthwick rushes to leave, afraid of scandal. Mrs. Jones, now completely helpless and desperate, silently pleads with him for help. However, he ignores her and walks away, proving that the rich can escape justice while the poor suffer. The play ends with a sense of deep injustice, highlighting how society protects the wealthy and punishes the poor.
