Theme Of Justice In The Underground Railroad

Upon reading this novel The Underground Railroad, it is clear that there is a central theme of justice. Despite justice being a very loosely defined term, a sense of right and wrong is a common element in the plot of this story. Justice, though the idea is clear to a person when they hear it, that person’s idea of it is always different from another. This is a fact that hints at the idea that justice could come in more than one form. Though commonly righteous, to some rightful justice would be revenge. An eye for an eye, and that is where the controversy resides.

As an example of controversy, if one had the chance to kill someone whom had been trying to kill them for some time now, should they take it? For some reason this person despises …show more content…
It has done nothing but cause suffering and bring misfortune. If the idea of justice is so corrupt, why have it? The answer is simple, it is because even though there are far too many people in this world who have misconstrued the meaning of justice, there are so many more that do not. Those who would deliver an appropriate for a crime but with the intent to help them if possible. The ones who chose not to shot the aslant chasing them. Those are the a few people who have a more compassionate view of justice and with all the hate going around, a little compassion would be refreshing. Hate as primitive as racial profiling and stereotypes. Despite what is seen on social media, not every police officer is racist or abuses their power. Not every black guy from the city is a thug and not every white person from the south is a hick. Unfortunately, these are the typical stereotypes in society that are believed so heavily that people once again feel justification for hatful actions towards one another. Sadly, it seems that the ones who believe such stereotypes are always put in a position of power to bestow a form of “justice” on one who may be innocent. It does not happen often, but it certainly does occur more time than if ever should have to. For instance, the death penalty is grave punishment that is sometimes carried out under false pretenses, as well as could be influenced by social and racial …show more content…
Showing what people truly feel in a necessary punishment. Considering outside factors like social stereotypes and even racism. Finally, coming to an understanding that, yes, the idea of justice is very controversial however, it does not have to be. Delivering an appropriate punishment to a criminal can be accomplished without allowing certain irrelevant factors to pursue the decision is something that is very possible. By simply seeing justice though a more compassionate eye, perhaps it would be possible to give justice a meaning. No longer would it merely be an idea of what some random person believes is right. With morals and ethics intact, then people would be free from any guilt that should come with being responsible for the death of an innocent man and the escape of a guilty one. As long as those in the positions of power do not abuse their influence but rather, act with compassion for others in their hearts. The choice to either help the ill-minded or give a fitting punishment to those who deserve it does not matter. If a person does not have to compromise their morals or beliefs for the sake of so called justice, then justice will always have a true