Class 10: A Question of Trust by Victor Canning

 A Question of Trust by Victor Canning

Central Idea: The story is about Horace Danby, a respectable man who secretly commits robberies once a year. However, when he is outsmarted by a woman posing as the owner of a house he breaks into, the story takes a sharp turn. The central idea revolves around trust, deception, and poetic justice—even thieves can be tricked, and crime never truly pays.

Themes:

1. Trust and Deception: The story highlights how appearances can be deceiving. Horace, though a thief, is misled by another thief, showing the irony of trust in a world of crime.
   
   
2. Crime and Consequences: The story underlines that no matter how smart a person thinks they are, crime leads to punishment eventually.
   
   
3. Irony and Justice: The concept of poetic justice is strong in this story. Horace, who deceives others, is himself deceived.
   
   
4. Appearances vs. Reality: People may not be what they seem—Horace appears respectable but is a thief; the woman appears to be the owner but is also a thief.

Message / Moral:

• Crime never pays—even clever criminals can be caught or tricked.
• Trusting people blindly based on appearances can be dangerous.
• Intelligence must be used for the right purpose, not for criminal acts.
• Deception leads to downfall, whether you are a small or big criminal.

Literary Devices:

1. Irony: Horace is a thief who prides himself on being careful but gets fooled by another thief.
2. Humour: The situation is lightly humorous, especially how Horace is duped by someone using the same tactics he uses.
3. Imagery: The house, the safe, the break-in – all are described vividly.
4. Foreshadowing: Horace’s overconfidence hints that something will go wrong.
5. Suspense: The story keeps the reader curious about what will happen next.

Narrative Perspective:

• The story is told in third-person limited, focusing mainly on Horace Danby’s thoughts and actions.
• This helps the reader understand Horace’s mindset and feel the irony when he is tricked.

Setting:

• The story is set in an English countryside, primarily inside a luxurious house named Shotover Grange where Horace plans the robbery.
• The house’s quietness and isolation add a mysterious and suspenseful tone.

Character Sketches:

1. Horace Danby:

• Age: About 50
• Profession: Locksmith, owns a small business
• Secret life: Steals once a year to buy rare books
• Personality Traits:
• Intelligent and careful, but overconfident
• Loves books more than money
• Weak-hearted (suffers from hay fever)
• Gets easily manipulated by appearances
• Development: From a confident thief to a jailed man – shows the consequences of crime.

2. The Woman (Fake Lady of the House):

• Identity: Another thief, pretending to be the owner
• Traits:
• Smart, confident, manipulative
• Uses charm and quick thinking to trick Horace
• Role: A twist in the story; represents how even criminals can become victims of smarter criminals.

Title Justification – "A Question of Trust": The title is highly appropriate and symbolic:

• Horace trusted the woman who pretended to be the owner.
• That misplaced trust leads to his downfall.
• It also hints at the irony that a thief expects honesty from others.
• In a world of deception, the story questions whom you can truly trust, even among criminals.
  
  

NCERT Questions

Q1: Did you begin to suspect the lady was not who Horace thought she was? When and how?

Answer:
Yes, suspicion arose due to her unusual calmness, confident manner, and lack of fear. Instead of alerting the police, she conversed casually, which was suspicious. Her familiarity with the house and specific instructions to Horace increased doubt. These behaviors were too calculated, revealing that she was deceptive. Her true identity became clear much before the end, as she cleverly tricked Horace into helping her steal.

Q2: How did the lady deceive Horace? Why didn’t he suspect her?

Answer: The lady used confidence, knowledge of the house, and ease with Sherry the dog to create a convincing impression. She even applied makeup calmly, behaving like a true homeowner. Horace, already nervous and scared of being caught, couldn’t think clearly. His anxiety and fear of exposure made him trust her blindly. Her well-acted manipulation distracted him from questioning her identity or motives.

Q3: Why is Horace called “good and respectable but not completely honest”?

Answer: Horace appeared respectable, ran a locksmith business, and lived a quiet life. However, he committed one robbery every year to buy rare books. Unlike typical thieves, he didn’t steal for greed or survival, but for personal satisfaction. His planned and non-violent approach set him apart. Still, his actions were unethical and illegal, showing he was not entirely honest. The description is accurate and ironic.

Q4: Where did Horace go wrong despite careful planning?

Answer: Horace’s mistake was not verifying the residents of the house. Though he knew the layout, alarm system, and even the dog’s name, he was unaware of who might be present. When the woman appeared, he panicked and trusted her falsely. He opened the safe without gloves, leaving fingerprints. His failure was due to overconfidence, fear, and ignoring a critical detail—who really owned the house.

 HOTS Question:

Q5. Horace Danby considered himself an honest man in some ways. Do you agree with his self-assessment? Justify your answer.

Answer:
Horace believed he was honest because he stole only once a year and used the money to buy rare books—not for luxury. However, this self-assessment is flawed. Stealing, regardless of the reason or frequency, is still a crime. His actions were dishonest, and the fact that he tried to justify them shows his moral weakness. True honesty cannot be selective. The story teaches us that rationalizing wrongdoing does not make it right.

VBQ (Value-Based Question):

Q6. What lesson about trust and honesty can young people learn from Horace Danby’s experience?

Answer : Horace’s experience teaches that trusting someone blindly can lead to betrayal, especially when dealing with strangers. It also shows that dishonesty, even when justified by personal interests, eventually leads to punishment. Young people can learn the importance of leading a life of integrity, and that short-term gains from dishonest acts are never worth the long-term consequences. The story emphasizes that honesty, self-discipline, and critical thinking are essential values for success and peace of mind.