Learning Objective: Understand the themes of trust, betrayal, education, morality, poverty, friendship, and character development in "The Thief's Story" to confidently answer exam questions.

Key Concepts & Exam Tips:

• Trust and Betrayal: The story explores how trust is built between the narrator and the thief, and how betrayal impacts their relationship. Notice the narrator’s decision not to accuse the thief immediately, showing complex human emotions.
• Education and Character Development: The narrator teaches the thief writing skills, which symbolizes hope and transformation. Education acts as a catalyst for change in the thief’s attitude.
• Morality and Human Behaviour: The narrator’s moral dilemma when the watch is stolen highlights themes of forgiveness and understanding human flaws.
• Poverty’s Influence: Poverty is shown as a driving force behind the thief’s actions, explaining but not justifying his theft.
• Friendship and Social Differences: Despite social gaps, a genuine friendship develops, affecting the story’s outcome positively.
• Symbolism: The stolen watch symbolizes trust, not wealth. Its loss triggers the story’s climax and moral reflection.
• Character Motivations and Changes: The thief’s initial motive is survival, but his attitude changes due to the narrator’s kindness and teaching.

Exam Tips:

1. When answering theory questions, always link your points to the story’s themes and characters’ emotions.
2. Use examples from the story to explain moral dilemmas and character changes.
3. For MCQs and True/False questions, remember key symbolic meanings and character traits.
4. Practice sequencing events and matching characters with traits to improve recall.