Warm-up: Honesty and Character

Warm up

Question (a)

We judge people around us, based on their qualities and actions. We brand some people as good and some bad. What qualities, do you think, characterise a gentleman? Some of them may be merely external and some others internal

Question (b)

When we see a few coins scattered on the ground, we would probably pick them up on the sly or walk away ignoring them. What if it was an envelope full of 2000 bills? How are people likely to react in such a situation?

Discuss with a partner and share your views:

People may react differently. Reader’s Digest conducted an honesty test on the busy roads of major cities of India. They had obviously left a costly mobile in the middle of the pavement. A candid camera was taking video footage. Many tried to pocket it. One poor man tried to contact a policeman on the beat and hand it over to him. Recently in Saravana Bhavan hotel in Chennai, an old lady had left behind a yellow bag. There were 25 lakhs in the bag.

The old lady had come to buy jewels for her grand daughter’s wedding. One of the waiters who attended the lady and her family members passed on the bag to the manager, who in turn gave it in-person to Inspector, Mambalam Police station. Fortunately, a tear-filled lady and worried family members also reached the spot. The Inspector sent for the honest waiter and through him gave the money to the old lady.

Whether it is big money or small coins, one should not covet others’ wealth. The person who lost must be feeling the pain of loss. We should never think of enjoying life at the cost of the pain of others.

Textual Questions and Answers

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English The Hour of Truth (Play) Textual Questions

1\. Rearrange the following sentences in a meaningful sequence and write the summary of the play.

(a) Baldwin who returned home after meeting Gresham, informed his family that Gresham had offered a hundred thousand, if he would utter the words ‘I don’t remember’ in court, during the trial.

(b) The family members tried to justify Gresham’s act and enticed Baldwin into accepting the money.

(c) Thus ‘The Hour of Truth’ had dawned relieving Baldwin of the heavy burden and guilt.

(d) Baldwin was an honest and upright man, working under John Gresham, in a bank.

(e) To save Baldwin, Mr. Marshall, President of the Third National, visited him and informed him that Gresham had confessed his crime, in order to free him from betraying his trusted friend and testifying painfully against him.

(f) Gresham and Baldwin had been thick friends for over 30 years and Baldwin had even named his son after Gresham.

(g) Baldwin felt disgusted with himself and the attitude of his family members.

(h) Gresham had been arrested for misappropriation of money at the bank and Baldwin was to testify against him.

(i) Mr. Marshall also offered Baldwin a job in his Bank, to reward him for his honesty and integrity.

(j) The family members who were initially against Gresham, changed their mind on hearing the huge sum offered by him.

(f) Gresham and Baldwin had been thick friends for over 30 years and Baldwin had even named his son after Gresham.

(d) Baldwin was an honest and upright man, working under John Gresham, in a bank.

(h) Gresham had been arrested for misappropriation of money at the bank and Baldwin was to testify against him.

(a) Baldwin who returned home after meeting Gresham, informed his family that Gresham had offered a hundred thousand, if he would utter the words ‘I don’t remember’ in court, during the trial.

(b) The family members tried to justify Gresham’s act and enticed Baldwin into accepting the money.

(j) The family members who were initially against Gresham, changed their mind on hearing the huge sum offered by him.

(g) Baldwin felt disgusted with himself and the attitude of his family members.

(e) To save Baldwin, Mr. Marshall, President of the Third National, visited him and informed him that Gresham had confessed his crime, in order to free him from betraying his trusted friend and testifying painfully against him.

(c) Thus ‘The Hour of Truth’ had dawned relieving Baldwin of the heavy burden and guilt.

(i) Mr. Marshall also offered Baldwin a job in his Bank, to reward him for his honesty and integrity.

2. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each

(a) Why did Baldwin meet Gresham?

Baldwin met Gresham to talk about the money that was stolen from the bank. Baldwin was Gresham’s personal secretary.

(b) What made Martha withdraw her money from the bank?

Martha thought the bank was going to fail, so she took her money out.

(c) How is Martha’s strong conviction in Baldwin’s integrity revealed?

Martha firmly believed that her husband was honest and loyal to his duty. Even when she pressured him to take the bribe, Baldwin stayed honest and refused. This shows her strong belief in his integrity.

(d) What had Donovan told John?

Donovan told John that no one knew what was wrong with the bank. The bank’s collapse was very sudden. He had married because of his cashier job, and he said the crash could not have happened without Governor Baldwin knowing about it.

(e) John feels Gresham deserves punishment. Why?

John felt Gresham deserved punishment because Gresham was arrested for stealing money from the bank. He also tried to bribe John’s father even though Baldwin was honest. This made John feel Gresham deserved punishment.

(f) What was Baldwin’s advice to Gresham?

Baldwin advised Gresham to close the bank and make up for the losses.

(g) What did Gresham want Baldwin to do?

Gresham wanted Baldwin to take a bribe and say “I don’t remember” in court. But he soon realised it was impossible to persuade Baldwin.

(h) Explain the significance of the words ‘I don’t remember’.

“I don’t remember” were the three words Gresham wanted Baldwin to say in court when asked about the missing funds. Gresham offered him one hundred thousand dollars to say them. But Baldwin refused to do something so dishonest and dishonourable.

(i) Why does John turn wild on hearing that Gresham had offered his father money?

When John heard that Gresham had offered his father money, he became angry. He said that since he was named after Gresham, he would feel ashamed to carry the name of a criminal. He accused Baldwin of betraying his friend, but later regretted it.

(j) When would Baldwin part company with Gresham?

Baldwin was always loyal to Gresham. But if Gresham stopped being an honest man, Baldwin would part company with him.

(k) What does John consider ‘a technicality’?

John considers “a technicality” to be the small, unimportant detail of saying “I don’t remember” in court.

(l) Why was John filled with shame?

John was filled with shame because he was named after Gresham, and he would feel ashamed to carry the name of a criminal. He used this emotional pressure to try to make Baldwin let Gresham off the hook.

(m) How much did Gresham offer to pay Baldwin for saving his skin and how did he justify that?

Gresham offered to pay Baldwin one hundred thousand dollars to save him. He justified it by saying it was not wrong to tell a lie to help a friend, by answering “I don’t remember” in court.

(n) What was Mr. Marshall’s offer to Baldwin?

Mr. Marshall offered Baldwin a job at the Third National Bank.

(o) How was Baldwin’s honesty rewarded?

Mr. Marshall told Baldwin that Gresham had admitted his guilt because he knew Baldwin, being an honest and upright man, would never give false testimony. Mr. Marshall also offered Baldwin a job in his bank. Thus Baldwin’s honesty was rewarded.

3\. Based on your understanding of the play, complete the Graphic Organiser given below.

Paragraph Answers

4. Answer in a paragraph of about 150 words each

(a) Trace the bond of friendship between Baldwin and Gresham. Explain why Baldwin wished to attribute some credit to his friend.

Baldwin and Gresham were close friends for over 30 years. Baldwin even named his son after Gresham out of friendship. Baldwin worked under Gresham in his bank as a personal secretary and was very loyal and upright to him. Baldwin believed that Gresham had also been very honest like him, but Gresham misappropriated the money of depositors in the bank. So, Gresham was arrested by the police, and Baldwin was to testify against him as he was Gresham’s personal secretary. Meanwhile, Gresham tried to convince Baldwin by offering him a huge bribe of one hundred thousand dollars, but Baldwin did not accept it.

Gresham insisted that Baldwin say “I don’t remember” when the trial came to court. This made Baldwin angry, and he parted company with Gresham. However, Baldwin felt very sad about standing as a witness against his friend. He wished Gresham to be free rather than go to jail. Moreover, Gresham admitted his guilt because he knew that Baldwin, being an honest and upright man, would never give false testimony. So Baldwin respected their friendship as Gresham had voluntarily confessed his crime.

(b) How did Martha and John react when they came to know that Baldwin had rejected the generous offer made by Gresham?

Martha and John held a grudge against Gresham for having underpaid Baldwin for about two decades. They openly said that he deserved punishment. Initially, they condemned the bribe and claimed it was just a difference in the salary paid. John said that if he had been made a similar offer, he would have asked Gresham to go to the devil. Baldwin replied that having been a friend, he could not use such abusive language. Casually, John asked how much Gresham had offered. Baldwin said it was one hundred thousand dollars. Suddenly, Martha and John changed their attitude towards Gresham.

John felt it would be a shame if Gresham got indicted because he shared his name. Martha desperately tried to convince Baldwin not to testify against Gresham. John even suggested that Baldwin could say those three words “I don’t remember” as the depositors would not lose a cent. Baldwin felt miserable because his family members, whom he wanted to feel proud of his uprightness, wanted him to cross over to the side of corrupt practices because of the generous offer made by Gresham.

(c) Is Baldwin really honest or does he maintain his honesty fearing criticism? Why do you say so?

Percival Wilde’s play “The Hour of Truth” is an intense psychological study of the corrupting influence of money on people. The plot explores greed from different angles. Almost all individuals in this play are tempted by money except Robert Baldwin. It shows how easily people forget their moral values and principles. But at the end of the story, the reader realises that money only brings isolation, punishment, deception, frustration and endless shame. The story ends on a positive note when bad people get punished and good people get rewarded.

Though Mr. Baldwin works hard for a living, his salary is not enough to support his family. When Gresham was arrested for misappropriation of money in the bank, we lose confidence in his character, and the play teaches readers how badly money influences people. After the arrest, Gresham begs Baldwin to say three words at his trial — “I don’t remember”. As a reward, he offers him one hundred thousand dollars. At this offer, we see how his virtuous family members change their opinion and insist Baldwin accept the offer. It is at this time we see the moral level of Mr. Baldwin, who rejects the offer. Robert Baldwin’s honesty and integrity are rewarded in the end. It shows that Mr. Baldwin is really an honest man.

(d) Sketch the character of: (i) Robert Baldwin (ii) John Gresham.

(i) Robert Baldwin

Robert Baldwin is the central character around whom the whole one-act play revolves. He is a middle-class father who values honesty and loyalty to the organisation more than a 35-year-long friendship. He rises in the esteem of readers and theatre-goers when we realise that he wants to leave a legacy of honesty to his children, and not the ill-gotten one hundred thousand dollars which could give his family a life of comfort they did want to lead. Baldwin is really hurt by the three-sided attack — a war of words waged against his honesty by Martha, Evie and John. Even before the trial begins against Gresham, Baldwin is made to feel like a traitor.

His family members accuse him of letting down the honour of a close family friend who had made a very generous offer. The mental agony experienced by Baldwin is a hundred times more at home. He is elated initially as he had successfully forced Gresham, with a whip in hand (that is, honesty), to close the bank and make up the loss to the customers. But when he discloses the offer of one hundred thousand dollars as a private fortune without causing loss of a cent to depositors, he is made to experience hell by the emotional blackmail of his family members who knew very well how those three words “I don’t remember” would choke him. Baldwin holds on to honesty even at the prospect of losing both a 35-year-old friendship and the one hundred thousand dollars he had never had in his life.

(ii) John Gresham

John Gresham is a worldly-wise founder of a private bank. He values friendship and appoints his boyhood friend Robert Baldwin as the Governor in his bank. He is clever and very successful in running his bank profitably. In the meantime, he uses the deposits accrued in a way that enhances his own private fortune, of course without costing anything to the depositors. It is in fact a breach of trust. Nobody had any inkling that any malpractice was going on. Even Donovan the cashier claims that the closure of the bank came as a rude shock to him as he had married on the strength of the job and salary from the bank.

Martha claims she withdrew her money without telling Baldwin, who is very loyal to Gresham and would never have approved of it. After being found out, and when the trial against him on misappropriation of funds is in progress, he offers a bribe of one hundred thousand dollars from his private fortune. He knows that only Baldwin alone could help the law to nail him. But if he says “I don’t remember” in court, he would be let off the hook. If acquitted, he could make money even after the offer of one hundred thousand dollars. But he understands the body language of Baldwin. He realises it would be a painful thing for Baldwin to testify against him. He might be bad as a banker, but he values the feelings of Baldwin and his honesty. He confesses to avoid embarrassment to Baldwin and informs the ‘Third National’ chairman that Baldwin has not budged even after the offer of one hundred thousand dollars.

(e) Who do you think exhibits true friendship — Baldwin or Gresham? Justify your answer.

As far as the play “The Hour of Truth” is concerned, from the beginning till the end of the story, it shows the true friendship between Baldwin and Gresham. They had been thick friends for more than 30 years, even from their boyhood. Being an honest man by nature, Baldwin does not take any risk to exhibit his honesty. Moreover, as a protagonist, Baldwin seems to be a good person to the readers.

It is only because of his uprightness that he stands as a witness against his friend Gresham. But on the other hand, Gresham always misuses the money of the depositors in his bank. He seems to be an honest man, but he respects the friendship of Baldwin. When Baldwin comes to know that Gresham has ceased to be an honest man, he is ready to part from him. In order to tempt Baldwin, Gresham offers him a huge bribe of one hundred thousand dollars, but Baldwin does not accept it. At this point, Gresham understands that it is impossible to persuade Baldwin to accept the bribe. That is why Gresham admits his guilt, as he knew that Baldwin, being an honest and upright man, would never give false testimony. Therefore, it is clear that true friendship is exhibited by Mr. Gresham rather than Baldwin.

Additional Questions

Additional Questions

(a) Explain the significance of the words ‘I don’t remember’.

“I don’t remember” were the three words which Gresham wanted Baldwin to say when technical questions on misappropriation of funds were asked in the court. Gresham offered one hundred thousand dollars in hot cash to say them. But Baldwin did not want to do that dishonest and dishonourable thing. However, having been honest and earning just 60 dollars a week, Baldwin felt like choking. His children and wife persuaded him. Gresham understood that Baldwin would not say those words, though Baldwin did not say so openly. John told Baldwin it was a compliment that cost him one hundred thousand dollars. But Baldwin felt it was a compliment worth a hundred thousand dollars.

Idioms: Matching and Answers

5\. IDIOMS

Now match the idioms under column A with their meanings in column B:

Speaking Activity

Speaking Activity

(a) Pair work: Imagine you are Baldwin and your partner is Gresham. Try your best to persuade your partner to confess the truth. Build a conversation describing how both of you would react in such a situation.

BALDWIN : Gresham, we have been friends for over thirty years. I have always respected you, and I named my son after you. But now you have stolen the depositors’ money. Please, for the sake of our friendship, confess the truth. Do not make me stand in court and speak against you.

GRESHAM : Baldwin, please understand. If I confess, I will go to jail. My whole life’s work will be destroyed. Just say three simple words in court — “I don’t remember” — and I will give you one hundred thousand dollars. You can take care of your family comfortably. No depositor will lose a single cent.

BALDWIN : _(shaking his head sadly)_

Gresham, you are asking me to lie under oath. That is not a small thing. My honesty is not for sale. My children look up to me. What will I teach them if I take your money and betray the truth? You know me better than that.

GRESHAM : _(desperately)_

But Baldwin, think of your family! You earn only sixty dollars a week. This money could change your life. It is not wrong to help a friend. Just say you don’t remember. Nobody will know. The law cannot touch me if you say those words.

BALDWIN :_(firmly)_

No, Gresham. I will not do it. I would rather lose our friendship and your money than lose my honesty. If you truly value our friendship, you will confess your crime yourself. Face the truth like a man. Let the law decide your punishment, but do not drag me into your dishonesty.

GRESHAM :_(after a long pause, looking down)_

You are right, Baldwin. I have been a fool. I thought money could buy everything, even your honesty. But you have shown me what true integrity means. I cannot force you to lie for me. I will confess the truth myself.

BALDWIN : _(softly, with emotion)_

Thank you, Gresham. You have chosen the right path. I am sad that it has come to this, but I am proud that you have decided to be honest in the end. Our friendship may not survive this trial, but at least your conscience will be clear.

GRESHAM : _(nodding slowly)_

I understand. I will tell the court everything. And Baldwin… thank you for not giving in. You have reminded me what true friendship really means. It is not about saving each other from trouble — it is about helping each other stay honest.

Note for the pair: Baldwin remains firm, calm and principled throughout. Gresham starts by trying to tempt Baldwin with money, then becomes desperate, and finally accepts the truth after seeing Baldwin’s unwavering honesty. You can change the words, but keep the emotions and the ending the same.

(b) ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’. Does this hold good in all situations? Share your views with your class.

The saying “A friend in need is a friend indeed” is relevant only to those situations when both friends pursue their goals with justifiable means. In other words, true friendship should never come at the cost of honesty, morality, or professional duty.

A Story That Proves This Point

I read an interesting story written by O. Henry entitled “After Twenty Years”. Two boyhood friends, Bob and Jimmy, decided to pursue their dream careers and agreed to meet at Big Joe Brady’s Restaurant after twenty years.

Jimmy became a policeman, and Bob became a criminal and notorious robber. When they meet, Jimmy recognises the features of the most wanted criminal by the Chicago police in Bob.

As a friend, Bob’s need is to escape. But as a policeman, Jimmy’s duty is to arrest him. Jimmy faces a painful choice — his friendship pulls him one way, and his professional duty pulls him the other. In the end, duty consciousness wins, and Jimmy sends a plain-clothes man to arrest his old friend.

“When there is a debate with the conscience on moral grounds and professional ethics, one can’t continue to be a friend ‘in need’.”

Conclusion: The saying “A friend in need is a friend indeed” is not applicable on all occasions. True friendship must respect morality and duty. A friend who helps you do wrong is not a true friend at all.

About the Author

The Hour of Truth (Play) About The Author

Percival Wilde (1887 – 1953) was a prolific American author and playwright. He wrote many novels, short stories, and one-act plays. His plays were popular in the little theatre movement. He also authored a textbook on the theatre arts. He was a native of New York City, worked for a time as a banker. He began writing plays in 1912.

Percival Wilde chose to portray the values of life in his plays, throwing light on a specific trait of an individual. His one-act play The Hour of Truth is a testimony to his craftsmanship where the three classical unities of time, place, and action are observed.

The climax of the play develops rapidly and ends with a pleasant surprise

The Hour of Truth – Summary in English

The Hour of Truth

Percival Wilde · Summary in Simple English · Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi · 12th standard

Introduction

In The Hour of Truth, the honesty of Baldwin is the main quality around which the whole play is built. This one-act play shows the writer’s skill, as it carefully follows the classical unities of time, place, and action. The climax has an O. Henry-style twist, leading to a surprising ending.

Summary

Baldwin is a middle-class man earning sixty pounds a week. He works in a private bank for Mr. Gresham, and they have been close friends for over thirty years. Baldwin even named his son Gresham Baldwin. He leads a happy and contented life.

One day, Baldwin finds out that his boss has been cleverly stealing money from the bank. Technically, the depositors will not lose a single cent. But Baldwin forces Mr. Gresham to close the bank and settle the depositors’ accounts. Mr. Gresham promises to return the depositors’ money.

Gresham then offers Baldwin one hundred thousand dollars if he tells the enquiry officers that he has forgotten some important details. This would help Gresham escape safely. Baldwin is shocked by the offer.

He goes home and tells his wife Martha and his son Gresham Baldwin about the offer. On hearing about the huge amount, both his wife and son persuade him to take the money. They argue that it is just a technicality and the depositors will not lose anything. But Baldwin had believed that his family valued his honesty far more than money. When he learns that his own family is trying to convince him to take the bribe, he feels disgusted.

Just then, Mr. Marshall, the President of the Third National Bank, informs Baldwin that his boss Mr. Gresham has confessed to his crime. Gresham told Mr. Marshall that one hundred thousand dollars could not shake Baldwin’s integrity. He also said that he did not want Baldwin to suffer the pain of testifying against him in court. Hearing this, Baldwin cries tears of relief and joy. Mr. Marshall then offers him a position in his bank. This is the honour given to Baldwin for his honesty.

Conclusion

The playwright reflects the weaknesses of modern society, where people value riches more than honesty and integrity. In the end, he rewards honesty, reaffirming the common faith:

“Honesty is always rewarded.”

The Hour of Truth – Summary in Tamil

“The Hour of Truth” சுருக்கம்

பால்ட்வின் ஒரு நடுத்தர வகுப்பு ஊழியர்; வாரம் 60 டாலர் மட்டுமே சம்பாதித்தாலும், நேர்மையையே தன் வாழ்க்கையின் அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்டவர். அவர் பணிபுரியும் வங்கியின் உரிமையாளர் கிரெசாம், 30 ஆண்டுகளாக அவரது நண்பர். கிரெசாம் வாடிக்கையாளர்களின் பணத்தை நுட்பமாகக் கையாள்கிறார் என்பதைப் பால்ட்வின் கண்டறிந்ததும், வங்கியை மூடி வாடிக்கையாளர்களுக்குப் பணத்தைத் திருப்பிக் கொடுக்குமாறு வற்புறுத்துகிறார். கிரெசாம் அதற்கு ஒப்புக்கொள்கிறார்.

ஆனால் விசாரணை அலுவலர்களிடம் சில தகவல்களை மறைக்குமாறு கிரெசாம் பால்ட்வினுக்கு 1 லட்சம் டாலர் லஞ்சம் வழங்க முன்வருகிறார். இதைக் கேட்டு அதிர்ச்சியடைந்த பால்ட்வின், வீட்டில் மனைவி மார்த்தாவிடமும் மகன் கிரெசாம் பால்ட்வினிடமும் விவரத்தைச் சொல்கிறார். இருவரும் பணத்தைப் பெற்றுக்கொள்ளுமாறு தூண்டுகின்றனர்; வாடிக்கையாளர்களுக்கு இழப்பு ஏற்படாது என வாதிடுகின்றனர். ஆனால் பால்ட்வின் தன் குடும்பத்தினர் நாணயத்தைவிட பணத்திற்கு மதிப்பு கொடுப்பதைக் கண்டு வெறுப்படைகிறார்.

அப்போது மூன்றாவது தேசிய வங்கியின் தலைவர் மார்சல் வருகிறார். கிரெசாம் தன் தவற்றை ஒப்புக்கொண்டதாகவும், பால்ட்வினுக்கு எதிராகச் சாட்சி சொல்ல விரும்பவில்லை எனவும் தெரிவிக்கிறார். மேலும், அந்த 1 லட்சம் டாலர் பால்ட்வினின் சம்பளத்தில் குறைவாக வழங்கப்பட்ட தொகையே என்று கிரெசாம் கூறியதை மார்சல் மறுக்கிறார். இதைக் கேட்டு பால்ட்வின் கண்கலங்குகிறார். மார்சல் தன் வங்கியிலேயே பால்ட்வினுக்கு வேலை வழங்குகிறார்.

📜முடிவு

நேர்மை மற்றும் நாணயத்தைவிட பணத்தை மக்கள் மதிக்கும் நாகரீகச் சமுதாயத்தின் குறையை ஆசிரியர் சுட்டிக்காட்டுகிறார். இறுதியில் நேர்மைக்குக் கிடைக்கும் சன்மானமே உண்மையான வெற்றி என்பதை நாடகம் உணர்த்துகிறது.

Glossary: English and Tamil Meanings

The Hour of Truth (Play) Glossary