The Hour Of Truth
2. Why didn ’t Baldwin explain his position to the papers?
Baldwin did not explain His position to the papers because he did not think it necessary to tell them.
3. What was the change in the attitude of the members of the family when they came to know the amount of the bribe? The amount of the bribe was huge, 100,000 dollars. When the family members came to know the amount was such a huge one, they were all looking for excuses to make Baldwin do as Gresham wanted him to do. So far they were all honest people. But when the big temptation came, they were willing to compromise their principles.
4. How did Baldwin react to the opinion of his family?
He told them that by accepting the bribe he would be doing a dishonourable thing. Even if outsiders may not know about it, the four of them will know. And once a dishonourable thing is done how can they be sure that they will be honest with each other? If he takes the money he will be a sham, a liar, a hypocrite and a thief. If he does a bad act it will stink to the Almighty Heaven.
5. Was Baldwin disloyal to Mr Grisham? Quote the relevant sentences to support your answer.
He was not disloyal to Mr Gresham. Supporting somebody’s misdeed is not part of loyalty. Baldwin told Gresham he would not lie. Gresham “was not surprised. He’s known me for thirty-five years, and, well anybody who’s known me forthirty five year does not expect me to haggle with my conscience.” Baldwin further says, “He is desperate – he does not know what he is doing – or he wouldn’t have offered the money.”
Activity I (Analysis)
Prepare a write up on the opening and ending of the play:
The play opens very beautifully with a fine description of the weather which is hot and sultry. We see the Baldwin family anxiously waiting for the return of its head. It obviously shows there is some trouble. Martha, Evie and John are worried why Baldwin has not returned home. Through this opening, the readers are made ready to receive some bad news that will bring in suspense and mystery.
The play ends settling all the questions that were raised in the beginning and through the events of the story. The good man is rewarded. Marshall, the President of the Third National, a huge prestigious bank comes with an offer of a good position for Baldwin. Baldwin feels happy that he does not have give evidence against his friend Graham as he has confessed his guilt. There is all round happiness. With his new job, the Baldwin family can have better days. Honesty is the best policy.
Activity III (Character sketch)
character sketch of Baldwin.
Robert Baldwin is the protagonist of this play. He lives in a trim little cottage with his wife Martha and his son John and daughter Evie. He is working as the governor of a bank owned by John Gresham. His salary is very low, 60 dollars a week. His son John earns only 30 dollars a week. With this limited income they live reasonably happily.
Suddenly there is a problem in their lives. John Gresham has misappropriated bank money and he is in jail. The bank is closed and Baldwin will have no job. Only Baldwin is the witness for the misappropriation. If he gives his true testimony, John Gresham will definitely go to jail for a long period. Baldwin is honest and he has taught his family the importance of honesty.
When Baldwin returns home after the arrest of John Gresham, his wife and children rush to him to know the latest news. Initially his wife and the children tell him that he should say the truth during the trial even if it means jail term for Gresham. But when they come to know that Gresham has offered him a bribe of 100,000 dollars just to say ‘I don’t remember’ when some incriminating questions are asked in the court, they change their stance. They try to find out all kinds of loopholes to make Baldwin accept the bribe. Martha, John and Evie do their best to make Baldwih’dhange his mind. But he asserts that he wants to go to his grave clean.
He does love Gresham. He even named his son after him. Even now he remembers how he worked with him for so long. They were boys together. They worked side by side. All this is true, but he is not willing to tell a lie to save his friend and employer even when he is offered a colossal sum of 100,000 dollars.
Baldwin’s honesty is repaid abundantly. Even Gresham is proud of him and he recommends him to Mr Marshall, the President of the Third International. At the end of the play we see Marshall coming to the house of Baldwin and offering him a job at the Third International. We see Baldwin crying in the end. He must have been crying for two reasons – his friend Gresham has confessed his guilt and he will surely be punished. Secondly he is shedding tears of joy in gratitude to God who has amply repaid his honesty. Honesty, Baldwin proves, beyond an iota of doubt, is the best policy.
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