Long Questions and Answers
1. Horace was clever but the lady in red was cleverer. Do you agreed with this statement? Justify your answer.
Answer: Yes, I agree with this statement. Horace was clever, as he planned the robbery carefully, studied the target, took the proper tools and also took his gloves, to ensure leaving no fingerprints. But the young lady in red had all the necessary information, and posing as the mistress of the house, exploited Horace’s fear on being discovered, tricked him into cracking open the safe and handing her the jewels. She even ensured that Horace left his fingerprints at the site, as she distracted him by picking up a cigarette which Horace offered to light after removing his gloves. Thus the lady outwitted (deceived) him.
2. Would you do something wrong (i.e., commit a crime) if you thought that the ends justify the means? Do you think that there are certain situations you can be excused for acting dishonestly?
Answer: Yes, intentions do justify actions. If something wrong is done unintentionally, it may be pardoned. However, it cannot be excused if it is carried out even when knowing it is wrong. As Horace had the intention to rob the safe by breaking it open, his crime is intentional. Although he had good intentions in helping the lady (who he thought was the mistress of the house), his crime cannot be excused. Breaking open the safe cannot be justified at all. There may be certain situations when you can be excused for acting dishonesty, but this is not so in Horace’s case. Horace had robed one safe every year to buy books, yet he was a good and respectable person in public view, but it is not completely honest. So, in the same manner, if we do the same, it may look good in others’ eyes but cannot be pardoned at all, as a crime is always a crime. And guilty has to be punished.
3. Horace was a successful thief because he carefully planned his robberies. Should we call him a successful thief and still appreciate his work? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes, as a thief, Horace is successful because he carefully planned his robberies and completes them well. Before robbing at Shotover Grange, he had studied the house for two weeks, looked at the electric writing, its path and its garden. He wore a pair of gloves so that no fingerprint was left. He had studied everything minutely except the people living in the house. Besides, he had a faith in the saying “Honour among the thieves.” He was living his life as a good and honest citizen. However, the wealth he gathered due from his successful robberies did not belong to him. By stealing other people’s valuables, he may have become successful but he is actually a criminal. He may be efficient in conducting his crimes so that he is successful, but we still cannot appreciate his work.