What is the primary theme explored in John Galsworthy's play The Silver Box?

Correct option is B

Explanation:

In The Silver Box, John Galsworthy addresses the theme of social justice and legal hypocrisy. The play explores how the legal system, which is supposed to be impartial and just, can sometimes favor the rich and powerful while neglecting the poor and disadvantaged. This theme is central to the plot, which revolves around two characters, John Barclay, a wealthy man, and Jackie, a working-class man.

The conflict in the play arises when John Barclay is caught stealing a silver box and is able to avoid serious punishment due to his wealth and status. On the other hand, Jackie, who is from a poor background, is sent to prison for a similar crime. Through this, Galsworthy critiques the inherent bias in the legal system that favors the upper class while treating the lower class unfairly, highlighting the hypocrisy of justice when wealth and social status come into play.

The contrast between the two characters and their fates under the law raises important questions about fairness, privilege, and the true meaning of justice.

Information Booster:

John Galsworthy (1867-1933) was a British novelist and playwright, well-known for his insightful critique of society, especially the legal and social systems.

His most famous work is The Forsyte Saga, a series that delves into the lives of a wealthy family, but his plays, including The Silver Box, also explore themes of social injustice, class inequality, and moral dilemmas.

Galsworthy’s writing often addresses the moral failings of society, particularly within the institutions that are meant to serve the public, such as the legal system. His works are deeply concerned with social reform, making them highly relevant in the context of early 20th-century English society.

Summary of The Silver Box:

• The Silver Box is a one-act play that focuses on two men from different social classes, John Barclay and Jackie, who are both involved in the same crime: the theft of a silver box.
• While John, the wealthy man, is able to avoid serious punishment due to his social standing, Jackie, the poor man, is harshly sentenced.
• The play exposes the hypocrisy and inequities of the justice system, which treats people differently based on their class, wealth, and status.
  
• The moral dilemma of the play is centered around the unfairness of the legal system, and Galsworthy uses this story to challenge audiences to think critically about how justice is administered.
  
• Galsworthy’s The Silver Box is a social drama that critiques the systemic issues within society, particularly the legal system.
• It is a realistic portrayal of class injustice, and the characters represent the divisions between the working class and the upper class in early 20th-century England.