A Question of Trust by Victor Canning: Ultimate Guide

Dive into the intriguing story A Question of Trust by Victor Canning, which explores themes of trust, deception, and irony. This post provides a concise summary, word meanings for better comprehension, and common questions with answers to aid understanding. Ideal for students preparing for exams or anyone exploring the story‘s deeper meanings.

Summary of A Question of Trust by Victor Canning

The story A Question of Trust by Victor Canning revolves around Horace Danby, a respectable man who appears to lead an honest life. However, he secretly steals once a year to support his love for rare books. This time, his plan to rob a house goes awry when he encounters a charming woman who claims to be the owner of the house. Trusting her words, Horace agrees to open the safe for her, only to later realise she was a clever thief herself.

The irony in the story is striking as Horace, a thief himself, falls victim to another thief. The tale emphasises how appearances can be deceptive and how misplaced trust can lead to one’s downfall. Through sharp twists and an unexpected conclusion, the story keeps the readers hooked, making them question the boundaries of morality and trust.

Word Meaning of A Question of Trust by Victor Canning

Word	Meaning
Respected	Admired and regarded highly
Rare	Uncommon or unusual
Charming	Pleasant and attractive
Irony	A situation with an unexpected outcome
Deception	The act of misleading or tricking
Burglar	A thief who breaks into buildings
Safe	A secure lockable box for valuables
Clever	Quick to understand or devise plans
Trust	Reliance on someone’s honesty
Misplaced	Wrongly positioned or judged

Comprehension Questions from Textbook

READ AND FIND OUT

1. What does Horace Danby like to collect?

Horace Danby liked to collect rare and expensive books, which he purchased through the money obtained from his yearly thefts.

2. Why does he steal every year?

Horace stole once a year to buy rare books that were otherwise beyond his financial means.

3. Who is speaking to Horace Danby?

A clever woman, who pretended to be the owner of the house, was speaking to Horace Danby.

4. Who is the real culprit in the story?

The real culprit is the woman who tricked Horace into opening the safe and stole the jewels herself.

THINK ABOUT IT

1. Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realise this, and how?

Yes, suspicion arose when the woman’s behaviour seemed too composed and manipulative for someone in her situation.

2. What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that something is wrong?

The lady’s confident attitude, knowledge of the house, and calm demeanour deceived Horace. He trusted her due to her convincing performance.

3. “Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest”. Why do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorised as a typical thief?

Horace was respectable and only stole for his passion for books, not for greed or malice, making him different from a typical thief.

4. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?

Horace failed because he trusted the woman blindly and didn’t verify her identity, exposing himself to deception.

TALK ABOUT IT

1. Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished, or that he deserved what he got? Horace deserved his punishment as his actions, though not entirely selfish, were illegal and driven by poor judgement.
2. Do intentions justify actions? Would you, like Horace Danby, do something wrong if you thought your ends justified the means? Do you think that there are situations in which it is excusable to act less than honestly? Intentions may influence moral judgement, but they cannot fully justify actions. Acting dishonestly, even for a good cause, often has consequences and can be questioned ethically.

FAQs from A Question of Trust

1. Who was Horace Danby, and what was his secret hobby?
   Horace Danby was a respected man who secretly stole once a year to buy rare books.
2. Why did Horace decide to rob the house?
   He wanted to collect enough money to purchase expensive rare books.
3. What precautions did Horace take before the robbery?
   He studied the house’s layout and ensured no one was home during the robbery.
4. Who did Horace meet inside the house?
   He met a charming woman who pretended to be the owner of the house.
5. Why did Horace agree to open the safe for the woman?
   He believed her story and wanted to help her retrieve important documents.
6. What was ironic about the story’s ending?
   Horace, a thief, was tricked and robbed by another thief.
7. What does the story reveal about trust?
   It shows that misplaced trust can lead to one’s downfall.
8. How does the woman convince Horace to help her?
   She acts confident and manipulates him by appealing to his emotions.
9. What happens to Horace after the robbery?
   He gets caught by the police because his fingerprints were found on the safe.
10. What is the central theme of the story?
    The theme revolves around deception, irony, and the consequences of blind trust.

A Question of Trust Analysis

Victor Canning’s A Question of Trust masterfully combines suspense and irony to weave a tale that explores human tendencies. The story delves into the duality of Horace Danby’s character—a man admired for his outward respectability yet guilty of periodic theft. The detailed portrayal of his preparations for the robbery reflects his meticulous nature but also hints at his overconfidence. The unexpected twist involving the clever woman thief underscores the irony that even an experienced thief like Horace can fall victim to deception. Through crisp storytelling, Canning prompts readers to ponder deeper questions about morality and trust.

A Question of Trust Theme

The primary theme of A Question of Trust revolves around deception and the fragile nature of trust. The narrative highlights how individuals, regardless of their moral standing, can easily be misled by appearances. Horace’s misplaced trust in the woman reflects human vulnerability when faced with convincing manipulation. The story also subtly critiques societal notions of respectability by juxtaposing Horace’s thievery with his love for rare books—a hobby that ironically requires dishonest means to sustain. Ultimately, the story underscores that deception can come from the most unexpected quarters, leaving even the most cunning individuals vulnerable.

A Question of Trust Character Sketch of Horace Danby

Horace Danby is a man of contradictions. Outwardly, he is a respected individual, known for his honesty and good behaviour. However, beneath this facade lies a thief who meticulously plans annual robberies to fund his passion for rare books. Horace’s love for books reveals his cultured side, while his calculated approach to stealing showcases his intelligence and careful nature. Despite his cunning, he is naive enough to be outwitted by a clever woman. This duality in his character makes him both relatable and intriguing, as readers empathise with his downfall yet recognise his flaws.

A Question of Trust Plot

The plot of A Question of Trust is a rollercoaster of suspense and irony. It begins by introducing Horace Danby as a respectable yet secretive man with a peculiar hobby—stealing once a year to buy rare books. His latest plan involves robbing a house, but things take an unexpected turn when he meets a charming woman who claims to be the homeowner. Convinced by her story, Horace opens the safe for her, only to discover later that she was a thief who outsmarted him. The story ends with Horace being caught by the police, leaving readers pondering the irony of his fate.

A Question of Trust Irony

Irony forms the backbone of A Question of Trust. The most striking irony is that Horace Danby, a skilled thief, becomes the victim of a more cunning thief. His trust in the woman’s fabricated story leads to his downfall, highlighting the unpredictable nature of human interactions. Furthermore, the irony extends to Horace’s respectability—despite being admired by society, he engages in criminal activities to satisfy his personal desires. This layered use of irony not only enhances the story’s appeal but also invites readers to reflect on the complexities of trust and deception.

A Question of Trust Symbolism

The story employs symbolism subtly yet effectively. The safe symbolises security and secrecy, yet it becomes a tool for betrayal and irony when Horace opens it for the woman. Horace’s love for rare books symbolises his dual nature—a refined taste that relies on immoral acts for fulfilment. The woman’s charm and fabricated story symbolise the deceptive allure of appearances, warning readers about the dangers of superficial trust. Through these symbols, Victor Canning weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

A Question of Trust in Hindi

लेखक: विक्टर कैनिंग

कहानी “A Question of Trust” एक चोर के जीवन की दिलचस्प और अप्रत्याशित घटना पर आधारित है। यह कहानी ईमानदारी, धोखा और विश्वास के विचारों को उजागर करती है।

मुख्य पात्र

• होरास डैनबी: 50 साल का एक सम्मानित व्यक्ति जो दिखने में सज्जन और भरोसेमंद है। वह फर्नीचर बनाने का काम करता है, लेकिन चोरी करके अपना शौक (दुर्लभ किताबें खरीदने का) पूरा करता है।
• रहस्यमय महिला: एक चालाक महिला जो होरास को धोखा देती है।

कहानी का सारांश

होरास डैनबी अपनी साफ-सुथरी छवि के पीछे एक कुशल चोर है। वह हर साल एक चोरी करता है ताकि अपनी किताबों का शौक पूरा कर सके। कहानी की शुरुआत में, वह एक अमीर घर की चोरी की योजना बनाता है। वह सावधानीपूर्वक अपनी योजना बनाता है और सुनिश्चित करता है कि घर खाली हो।

जब होरास चोरी करने घर में घुसता है, तो वह दस्ताने पहनकर काम करता है ताकि कोई उंगलियों के निशान न छोड़े। वह तिजोरी खोलने की तैयारी कर रहा होता है तभी एक महिला की आवाज सुनाई देती है।

यह महिला खुद को घर की मालकिन बताती है और होरास को आश्वासन देती है कि वह पुलिस को नहीं बुलाएगी। वह उससे कहती है कि तिजोरी खोलकर उसके अंदर से गहने निकालने में मदद करे, क्योंकि वह अपनी शादी की पार्टी के लिए गहने पहनना चाहती है। होरास, महिला पर विश्वास करके, उसकी बात मान लेता है।

चौंकाने वाला अंत

कुछ दिनों बाद, पुलिस होरास को गिरफ्तार कर लेती है। उसे पता चलता है कि महिला घर की मालकिन नहीं थी बल्कि एक चोर थी। उसने चालाकी से होरास का इस्तेमाल किया और तिजोरी खाली कर दी।

प्रमुख विषय

1. विश्वास और धोखा: कहानी दिखाती है कि कैसे विश्वास का गलत इस्तेमाल किया जा सकता है।
2. अपराध और नैतिकता: होरास का अपराध सिर्फ अपने शौक को पूरा करने के लिए था, लेकिन कहानी का अंत उसके लिए एक सीख बन जाता है।
3. चतुराई और चालाकी: महिला की चालाकी और होरास की मासूमियत कहानी में ट्विस्ट लाती है।

कहानी का संदेश यह है कि कभी-कभी सबसे चतुर व्यक्ति भी धोखा खा सकता है। यह एक हल्की-फुल्की और मजेदार कहानी है जो सोचने पर मजबूर करती है।

A Question of Trust in Urdu