How Does Galsworthy Finally Satirize Earthly Justice Through the Play Justice?

Human civilization and earthly justice are two integral parts, and every part of the civilization has to go through this judicial procedure. But, the million-dollar fact is the judgment may sometimes appear appreciable or not appreciable. Moreover, no accessible ways are available for humans to deny it. In short, there is no escape route from the judicial clutches. John Galsworthy’s famous play Justice also deals with that judgment, legal as well as social.

The play reveals the horrible impacts of the stern enforcement of legal justice. Furthermore, it highlights how the destitution of social justice is crippling in the modern community. The famous social tragedy boldly portrays a significant irony to demonstrate how an unintentional offender faced severe punishment for a minor crime. In reality, it satires earthly justice.

The theme of John Galsworthy’s problem play ‘Justice’ relates to the unfortunate forgery crime committed by a nervous clerk, Falder, and the severe punishment inflicted on him. Yes, Falder is the hero of the tragic play. He commits forgery to save a woman, Ruth, from her brutal husband. He perpetrates the crime in a moment of weakness. In short, Falder is an unintentional offender.

Now, as per law, he faces a court trial. And the Trial Scene in the play unfolds the actual story. It pinpoints the problem of legal justice explicitly. In short, the entire Court Scene emerges with extreme importance as the playwright invents a necessary dramatic treatment to make the scene the lifeblood of the play.

The playwright intentionally introduces a unique dramatic treatment to the scene to address a significant fundamental problem regarding earthly justice. Two essential parts, the defence counsel and the Judge, play the final roles in assessing the gravity of the said fundamental issue. Galsworthy uses the defense counsel to expose the adverse impacts of a strict, cold legal justice system. On the other hand, the author employs the Judge to maintain a robust judiciary system to retain stability and discipline in society.

The two contrary views leave no choice for Falder but to accept severe punishment for the crime he committed to save a human life. However, the judiciary isn’t ready to listen to that cry of human conscience, and justice appears severely unbearable for Falder. He prefers to escape the stiff clutch by ending his life. And an intentional fatal jump ends his life.

The judiciary may even remain unmoved by this tragic end of Falder. However, humans with a conscience must be shocked to see the dreadful demise. Robert Cokeson, the managing clerk of the specific firm where Falder was a staff, is one of the selected persons to possess that conscience. He describes Falder’s death as gruesome and undesirable.

With a solid and courageous view, Cokeson doesn’t hesitate to say, “No one’ll touch him now! Never again! He’s safe with gentle Jesus!”

Robert Cokeson’s words show that he feels severe pain to see the acute suffering that Falder, the offender, had to go through. His remarks define the bitter truth that death has finally brought the ultimate relief for the ill-fated youth.

With his demise, Falder has now crossed all clutches and boundaries of the law. No legal justice can chase and hunt him now. Moreover, no threats of law and so-called ethics or morality can frighten him any more. Even no prison administration any longer catches and confines him. He has at last overcome the fret of his painful life and found endless rest in eternal peace through death. In a word, he is now above all earthly justice. No more earthly prosecution is waiting for him.

With the dying end, the ill-fated youth has ultimately secured rest in the all-merciful Jesus. In short, an eternal peace bathed with the Almighty’s mercy is now the only identity of the bereaved heart.

Cokeson’s profound observation emerges with a robust revelation of a deep, bitter, unthinkable tragedy. His utterance uncovers how the hero of the tragic play attains his only solace on the cold, silent lap of demise.

Some critics opine that the life and final destiny of Falder echo John Galsworthy’s own criticism regarding the existing legal justice system. It even unfolds the author’s view about the brutal prison administration. Galsworthy’s portrayal of Falder and the justice system uncovers the bitter aspect that the legal process is always ready to punish. It doesn’t have the time or will to see things from a humanistic approach. It treats even the unfortunate offenders as severe criminals.

The viewpoint of Mr. Frome, the defence counsel, also confirms the possession of a complex mentality through his assertion that takes place in the crucial trial scene. His viewpoint can read his mind that people like Falder require treatment for their flaws and weaknesses.

Now, besides these viewpoints, one undeniable truth is that every word of Cokeson reflects a minute observation about earthly justice, and simultaneously, a thin line of satire is prevailing. The remark exposes a hollowness of the cruel, cold, and callous social order. And the unfortunate victims are, no doubt, the easy prey of this cruelty.