Question

Answer the following question in about 40-50 words:

Why does Horace Danby consider himself an honest man despite being a thief? How does this self-perception affect his decision in the story? 

(A Question of Trust) 

Answer 1

Horace Danby regards himself as “honest” because he steals only to fund his love of rare books, targets the wealthy, plans carefully, and avoids violence so he views his crimes as morally different from ordinary theft. This self-justification makes him complacent and trusting; he helps the woman and removes his gloves, leaving fingerprints that lead directly to his arrest.