A Question of Trust - Long Answer Questions

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1. Describe Horace Danby's life and why he commits robberies.

Horace Danby is a fifty year old lockmaker who lives a respectable life with his housekeeper. Despite his outward appearance of honesty, he has a secret passion for rare books, which he funds through annual safe robberies. Each year, Horace meticulously plans his theft, ensuring he only takes enough to buy the books he loves. His careful preparation includes studying the target house and avoiding leaving fingerprints. This dual life reflects his deep love for literature and his willingness to engage in criminal activities to satisfy his passion.

2. Explain how the young woman deceives Horace Danby during the robbery.

The young woman deceives Horace Danby by pretending to be the homeowner's wife. She catches him off guard by addressing his hay fever and then calmly engaging him in conversation. She claims to have returned to retrieve her jewels but has forgotten the combination to the safe. Believing her story, Horace opens the safe for her without his gloves, leaving his fingerprints. This act of trust leads to his eventual capture, as the real homeowner, an older woman, denies any knowledge of the young woman.

3. What happens to Horace Danby after he is caught, and how does he feel about the situation?

After being caught, Horace Danby is arrested and convicted for the jewel robbery at Shotover Grange. He ends up working as an assistant librarian in prison, reflecting on his actions and the clever deception by the young woman who tricked him. Horace feels a mixture of anger and admiration when thinking about her, as she was in the same 'profession' and outsmarted him. The incident highlights the theme of trust and betrayal, and Horace’s realization that his criminal activities, driven by a love for books, have led him to an ironic fate.

4. Evaluate the character of Horace Danby. Do you think he is more of a victim or a villain?

Horace Danby is a complex character, both a victim and a villain. As a villain, he commits annual robberies to fund his passion for rare books, showing a clear willingness to break the law. However, he is also a victim of his obsession and the young woman's cunning deception. His desire to avoid imprisonment and his genuine plea to the woman reveal a vulnerable side. Ultimately, his actions and their consequences paint him as a flawed individual caught between his love for literature and the moral implications of his thefts.

5. Analyze the role of deception in the story. How does it affect the outcome?

Deception plays a crucial role in the story, driving the plot and determining the outcome. The young woman's deceitful charm and clever manipulation lead Horace to trust her, resulting in his capture. Her ability to convincingly pose as the homeowner's wife highlights her skill in exploiting Horace's weaknesses. This encounter underscores the theme of trust and betrayal, showing how easily trust can be misplaced. Horace's own deception, his dual life of respectability and crime, is ultimately undone by the woman's more effective deceit, leading to his downfall.

6. What lessons can be learned from Horace Danby's experience?

Horace Danby’s experience teaches several lessons about trust, deception, and the consequences of one’s actions. First, it underscores the danger of underestimating others, as Horace did with the young woman. His misplaced trust in her led to his capture. Second, the story highlights that crime, no matter how wellplanned, carries significant risks and consequences. Horace’s desire for rare books drove him to theft, but it also led to his downfall. Lastly, the narrative suggests that one's true passions can lead to both inspiration and ruin, urging caution in balancing desires with ethical behavior.

7. Discuss the theme of ‘honour among thieves’ as depicted in the story.

The theme of ‘honour among thieves’ is explored through Horace Danby’s experience with the young woman. Initially, Horace operates under a personal code, stealing only what he needs for his love of books. However, his encounter with the young woman shatters this notion, as she deceives him for her gain. This betrayal highlights the unreliable nature of trust among criminals. Horace’s subsequent anger when people mention ‘honour among thieves’ reveals his disillusionment. The story suggests that in the world of crime, even among those with shared interests, true honour and trust are often illusions, easily broken by selfinterest.