What Are the Main Lessons from "A Question of Trust"?
Explore the captivating story of “A Question of Trust Summary” from the CBSE Class 10 English book Footprints without Feet. This lesson provides a detailed summary, character sketch, explanation, and word meanings to help Class 10 students understand the central ideas and moral lessons. Read on for a complete guide that aids your learning journey and strengthens your grasp of this intriguing chapter.
A Question of Trust Summary with Explanation for Class 10
A Question of Trust Summary introduces us to Horace Danby, a man who appears honest but leads a double life as a skilled burglar. Despite being renowned for making locks, Horace commits one well-planned robbery each year to indulge his passion for rare books. This time, when he attempts a theft at Shotover Grange, he unexpectedly meets a clever woman who outsmarts him, making this crime his last.
The lesson explores whether there really is any honor among thieves. The story delivers a powerful message about trust, deception, and how overconfidence can lead to unexpected downfall. Students studying this chapter will develop a deeper understanding of character motives and story structure, which are essential elements in learning English literature. For more tips on how to write story summaries, see How to Write a Summary.
Horace Danby’s Double Life: Outwardly honest and respected, Horace maintains a secret habit of committing annual thefts to buy books he deeply loves.
The Planned Robbery: He carefully plans an operation at Shotover Grange, but his encounter with the “lady of the house” leads to his arrest.
Betrayal and Irony: The woman, not the owner but a thief herself, manipulates Horace—an ironic twist highlighting the lack of honor among thieves.
Footprints without Feet Summary
A Question of Trust Class 10: Character Sketch and Central Theme
Horace Danby is the pivotal character in “A Question of Trust Summary Class 10.” At fifty, he appears trustworthy and skilled, respected for his work in lock-making. However, beneath this façade, he methodically breaks the law. His only real passion is his book collection. The story’s central theme revolves around trust, deception, and the irony of expecting honesty among criminals themselves.
The woman in the story is equally clever, disguising herself as the homeowner to manipulate Horace. This adds suspense and depth to the plot. Students can further explore similar character analyses in The Necklace Summary and The Midnight Visitor Summary, which offer rich examples of unexpected plot twists.
Main Characters: Horace Danby (lock-maker, secret thief), mysterious woman (another thief).
Central Idea: The story illustrates that those who deceive others can also be deceived themselves.
Moral: Honesty is always the best policy, and overconfidence may lead to downfall.
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Line by Line Explanation and Difficult Word Meanings
To fully understand “A Question of Trust Summary in English,” let’s break down key events and vocabulary. Horace Danby’s yearly thefts are meticulously planned—he learns every detail about his target house, from servant routines to alarm wiring. However, he is tricked when the woman convinces him to open the safe for her. After leaving fingerprints behind, Horace is caught and punished, turning from a lock-maker to a jail librarian.
Key Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Respected: Admired for one’s abilities or qualities.
- Façade: An outward appearance that hides a true self.
- Pivotal: Of great importance; central.
- Manipulate: Control or influence someone cleverly.
- Irony: An event happening in a way opposite to what is expected.
For more word meanings and English vocabulary, visit English Vocabulary and Word Meaning on Vedantu.
A Question of Trust Summary in 100, 150, and 200 Words
Short Summary (100 words): “A Question of Trust” is about Horace Danby, a respectable man with a criminal habit—every year he commits a burglary to buy rare books. When he breaks into Shotover Grange, he is fooled by a clever woman who pretends to be the owner. She persuades him to open the safe, but she herself is a thief. Horace leaves evidence behind and is arrested, realizing too late that there is no true honor among thieves.
Mid Summary (150 words): In Victor Canning’s “A Question of Trust,” Horace Danby, respected for his honesty and skill as a lock-maker, secretly plans annual burglaries to fund his love for rare books. This time, he targets Shotover Grange, meticulously learns about the house, and confidently enters. However, he meets a sharp woman who pretends to be the lady of the house and asks him to open the safe. Horace helps her, thinking he will escape easily, but she turns out to be a thief herself. He forgets to wear gloves and leaves fingerprints, leading to his capture. Horace is left feeling betrayed, understanding firsthand the irony and implications of misplaced trust among thieves.
Detailed Summary (200 words): “A Question of Trust Summary Class 10” tells a fascinating story about Horace Danby, a fifty-year-old lock-maker who is outwardly admired for his honesty. Secretly, Horace has a passion for collecting rare books, and each year he commits a well-planned theft to support this habit. This summer, he chooses Shotover Grange as his target, spending two weeks studying every aspect of the house, from the garden to the alarm wiring. On the day of his heist, Horace manages to break into the house undetected. However, he encounters a woman who claims to be the owner's wife. She asks Horace to open the safe as she has forgotten the code. Wanting to avoid trouble, Horace agrees and opens the safe for her, failing to realize she is a thief herself. Leaving fingerprints behind, he is caught days later by the police, feeling cheated by one of his own. The story highlights the themes of deception, irony, and the flawed idea of honor among thieves, making it a compelling lesson for students.
Bholi Summary
A Question of Trust Word Meanings Table
| Word | Meaning | Usage in Context |
|---|---|---|
| Suspicion | A feeling or belief that something is wrong or illegal | The woman aroused no suspicion in Horace’s mind. |
| Hay Fever | An allergy causing sneezing, often from pollen | Horace suffered from hay fever during the robbery. |
| Impersonate | To pretend to be someone else | The woman impersonated the owner’s wife. |
| Deceive | To trick or mislead someone | Horace was deceived by another thief. |
| Foil | To prevent from succeeding | The woman foiled Horace’s plan. |
Understanding these words helps build a stronger vocabulary and clearer comprehension of literary texts. Practice more word meanings at Difficult Words on Vedantu.
Other Related Summaries for Class 10 English
Students exploring “A Question of Trust Summary” can also refer to other Class 10 English chapters for improved literary skills. Popular summaries like The Making of a Scientist Summary, The Necklace Summary, and The Midnight Visitor Summary provide a wide range of narrative styles and moral teachings.
For those interested in a question of trust summary short, summaries in Hindi or Assamese, or seeking concise versions, Vedantu offers helpful learning pages. Students are encouraged to read various chapter summaries to compare character development and themes, which supports better exam preparation and deeper understanding of English literature. To improve your English and communication skills, you can also practice with Grammar Exercises and Adjectives List on Vedantu.
The Necklace Summary: Realism and Consequences of Choices
The Making of a Scientist Summary: Curiosity and Success
Footprints without Feet Summary: Mystery and Science
Bholi Summary: Courage and Transformation
CBSE Class 10 English Grammar Notes
“A Question of Trust Summary” from Footprints without Feet explores the consequences of misplaced trust and overconfidence through the character of Horace Danby. This topic page includes a clear summary, detailed explanation, character analysis, and essential word meanings. By reading similar chapter summaries and using Vedantu’s learning resources, students can enhance their English skills and understand literature’s deeper lessons.
FAQs on Summary of "A Question of Trust"
1. What is the summary of ‘A Question of Trust’?
‘A Question of Trust’ is a story about a thief named Horace Danby who prides himself on being clever, but is ultimately outwitted by a cunning woman during a burglary attempt.
- Horace Danby is a locksmith who steals once a year for extra income.
- He targets a wealthy house with a safe full of jewels.
- He is deceived by a woman posing as the owner’s wife, loses his loot, and gets caught.
- The story explores themes of trust, deception, and irony.
2. What is the main theme of 'A Question of Trust'?
The main theme of ‘A Question of Trust’ is the irony within human relationships and trust.
- The story shows how even a clever thief like Horace Danby can be deceived.
- It highlights that trust is easily broken and everyone is vulnerable to betrayal.
- The narrative encourages readers to question appearances and be cautious about whom they trust.
3. Who is Horace Danby in 'A Question of Trust'?
Horace Danby is the protagonist, portrayed as a middle-aged, unmarried locksmith who secretly commits burglaries.
- He is known for being careful and methodical.
- He steals once a year to fund his love for books.
- Despite his intelligence, he becomes a victim of deception in the story.
4. Why did Horace Danby rob only once a year?
Horace Danby robbed only once a year to minimize risk and avoid getting caught by law enforcement.
- He committed thefts to buy expensive books for his personal library.
- By stealing infrequently, he ensured he would not attract suspicion.
5. How did the woman outsmart Horace Danby in the story?
The woman outsmarted Horace Danby by pretending to be the owner’s wife and convincing him to open the safe for her.
- She manipulated Horace by acting distressed and claiming to have forgotten the safe's combination.
- After he opened the safe, she took the jewels and left, revealing her actual intention.
- Horace was left to take the blame when the real owner reported the theft.
6. What is the irony in 'A Question of Trust'?
The irony in ‘A Question of Trust’ is that a thief who prides himself on his cleverness is successfully deceived by another thief.
- Horace trusts the woman, believing her story, but is tricked.
- The title itself is a play on who can truly be trusted, especially among dishonest people.
7. What lesson does 'A Question of Trust' teach us?
‘A Question of Trust’ teaches that one should be careful about whom to trust because outward appearances can be misleading.
- It warns that those who deceive others might eventually become victims themselves.
- The story underscores the importance of honesty and the consequences of crime.
8. Describe the character sketch of Horace Danby.
Horace Danby is presented as an intelligent, middle-aged, unmarried man with a passion for rare books and a talent for lock-making.
- He appears honest in daily life but leads a secret life as a thief.
- Confident in his skills, yet naive in his trust.
- Ultimately, his overconfidence and misplaced trust cause his downfall.
9. What happened to Horace Danby at the end of the story?
At the end of the story, Horace Danby is arrested, suffering the consequences of being outsmarted during the burglary.
- He is blamed for the theft and imprisoned.
- The story ends with Horace reflecting on his experience, regretting his misplaced trust.
10. Why is the story called ‘A Question of Trust’?
The title ‘A Question of Trust’ refers to the central conflict of trust between thieves and the unpredictable nature of trustworthiness.
- Both main characters rely on deceiving others as part of their motives.
- The plot revolves around misplaced trust, making the title appropriate and meaningful.
