Character Sketch of
Robert Baldwin
Percival Wilde's One Act Play, The Hour of Truth, is
an intense psychological study of the corrupting influence of money, on people.
Robert Baldwin is an honest and upright man who wants to go
to his grave clean.
Mr. Robert Baldwin was the secretary of a powerful bank
Owner Mr. John Gresham. They knew each other for the last thirty-five years.
Mr. Gresham is accused of misappropriating the bank's money,
which in turn, hurts the clients of the bank.
As a result of the arrest, Gresham begs Mr. Baldwin to simply
say three words during the trial. He just needs to say just three words, "I
don't remember “, when important questions are asked.
As a reward, he offered him a hundred thousand dollars, an amazing
amount of money.
When Mr. Baldwin rejected it Mr. Gresham showed no surprise,
as he knew Baldwin well and nothing could take him away from an honest life.
Baldwin takes it as a compliment.
Once again, money changes everything. Once again, money
changes everything. It is his family who suddenly changes from being virtuous,
respectable and honest, to greedy, selfish and dishonest, and asking Robert
to tell a lie against his values.
When they hear about the bribe, which Gresham calls a
payment; they insist that maybe Robert should consider saying "just those
three words".
Baldwin never thought that his family would think of such a
thing. He is upset and angry.
Yet, it is Robert Baldwin what brings the hope back into the
story.
He simply cannot accept a bribe but, most importantly, he
cannot bear telling a lie even if it is just three words.
For this reason, he respectfully rejects the offer.
This action left Mr. Gresham ashamed of himself, which led
him to confess his crime.
The end of the story is positive because Robert Baldwin's
honesty and integrity landed him a job in The Third National Bank.
His reputation as a decent, dignified and honest man is
spread out by Mr. Gresham himself.
He decides to confess and take the punishment.
He knows that Robert is a very honest man and nothing can
change him.