Question

“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?

Answer 1

“Horace Danby was good and respectable − but not completely honest”. This description is apt for Horace. He was about fifty years old. He robbed only from rich people.His purpose of stealing money was only to buy rare and expensive books. He stole only once every year. His intention to use the booty in buying books was good. However, the fact that he stole to achieve this intention showed that he was not completely honest. He cannot be categorized as a typical thief because he did not steal to eat or drink and was not a regular offender. He did not harm anybody during the act. He had a house. He made locks, had two people to help him, and was successful in his business. He only stole enough money to buy the books. For a couple of days, he even kept his promise to the lady he met at Shotover Grange by not stealing or planning any robbery.

Answer 2

The description of Horace Danby as "good and respectable — but not completely honest" suggests that while he may have positive qualities and intentions, he is not entirely truthful or ethical in his actions. This description is apt for Horace because of the nature of his crime and his character as depicted in the story "The Blue Cross" by G.K. Chesterton.

Horace Danby is a burglar who steals for noble reasons — to build a private library and improve his mind. He is meticulous in his planning and execution, and he targets only wealthy individuals who are insured, so as not to cause them financial harm. These aspects of his character suggest that he is not motivated by greed or malice, unlike a typical thief.

However, Horace's actions are still dishonest and illegal. Despite his noble intentions, he is breaking the law and violating the rights of others by stealing from them. This complexity in his character, where he exhibits both positive and negative traits, makes him more nuanced than a typical thief who steals purely for personal gain.

In summary, Horace Danby's description as "good and respectable — but not completely honest" is apt because it captures his complex character, which combines positive qualities with dishonest behavior. He cannot be categorized as a typical thief because his motivations and actions are driven by a desire for self-improvement rather than selfishness or malice.