Question

Explain the efforts taken by Tom to open the iron box? Did he succeed? Why?

Answer 1

Title: A Dilemma
Author: Silas Weir Mitchell
Characters: Tom, Prof. Clinch, Father Confessor, and the Collector.
Theme: ‘Take the risk or lose the chance’

After getting the box, Tom went on thinking about it. He went after people for their advice. He spent his spare time in the libraries. He imagined wild plans like dropping the box from a height to open it. He wanted to get the gems after the explosion. In all his attempts, he could not succeed.

He thought very hard in vain over weeks and months. His father confessor dismissed it that it was a cruel joke of his uncle. His doctor advised him to stop thinking about the box with precious gems as it would make him mad.

He tried to deposit it in the bank but withdrew it because he was afraid of burglary. He consulted Professor Clinch about his dilemma. He dismissed it as an incredible story. Thus Tom had to leave the box to the society for Preservation of Human Vivisection.

“Take the risk and drop the fear”

Answer 2

Tom inherited the iron box. He constantly thought about it. He went after people for their advice. He ransacked libraries. He imagined wild plans like dropping the box from a height to open it.

He wanted to get the gems after the explosion. He thought hard in vain for weeks and months. His father dismissed it as a cruel joke of his uncle. His doctor advised him to stop thinking about it. He tried to deposit it in the bank. He consulted Prof. Clinch about his dilemma. He dismissed it as an incredible story. Finally, Tom had to leave the box to the society for Preservation of Human Vivisection.

Answer 3

1. Tom always thought about the box
2. He asked many people to advise him
3. He imagined wild plans to open the box
4. He thought of getting the gems after the box’s explosion
5. Nothing worked out for his success
6. His father dismissed it
7. His doctor advised him to stop thinking about the box
8. He was afraid of deposit
9. His Professor Clinch dismissed it
10. Thus Tom left the box to the society for the Preservation of Human Vivisection.