Summary of The Justice of the Peace by Hilaire Belloc
The Justice of the Peace – Summary
The poem “The Justice of the Peace” is written by a French- Anglican poet Hilaire Belloc. He is a famous writer and historian. In many of his poems, he satirises his society. This poem in particular talks about the economical inequalities and injustices of his society.
The poem is written in the form of dramatic monologue: that is dramatic in quality and a speaker is addressing the listener/listeners. Here the speaker is trying to convince someone of something by not telling the whole truth. In spite of it what the speaker does not say is revealed to the readers.
The title of the poem refers to a magistrate who hears minor cases. Ironically in front of the magistrate, the speaker justifies the economical inequalities and social injustices of his society.
The speaker distinguishes between two things; which he and the addressee possess. The addressee has a shirt, a brimless hat, a shoe and half a coat. It shows that expect his outfit, the addressee does not possess anything more; Whereas the speaker, who calls himself lord benign, has fifty hundred acres of fat land. The division of their possessions indicates the inequality they face in society. Having such a vast land is cited as his right speaker.
When the speaker tries to justify his rights to the property, he fails to do so. It forces him to leave it as simple as his rights. He orders the addressee to be calm and good; maybe not to complain about the division of things. He comments he obeys the laws, which might be in favour of the rich. He again warns the addressee to remember his lower position and not to fight against him because he may get hurt. Through this, the speaker exposes his economical power which made him be a hypocrite.
The speaker states that he does not feel jealous of the addressee’s possessions such as his coat, hat and shoe. Then why should the addressee feel jealous of the speaker’s property? Further, he threatens that it is illogical to fight with economical power. If his fate is to live in poverty, why should he fight against it?
Finally, he reveals his cruel nature by indicating that he has got the upper hand. Through this he tries to mean that the addressee should accept his position without fighting; otherwise, he has to face the worst result.
Even though the title of the poem “The Justice of the Peace” gives hope for justice, the whole poem depicts injustice faced by the poor. Hilaire Belloc as who wanted to resist economical and social inequality satirises his society through this poem.