Summary- The Justice of the Peace – Hilaire Belloc

The Justice of the Peace – Hilaire Belloc

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 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 to minor cases. Ironically in front of the magistrate the speaker justifies 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 as lord benign, has fifty hundred acres of fat land. The division of their possessions indicates the inequality they face in the society.  Having such a vast land is sited as his rights by the speaker.

When the speaker tries to justify his rights for the property, he fails to do so. It forces him to leave it as simply as his rights. He orders the addressee to be calm and good; may be not to complain about the division of the things. He comments him to obey 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 to 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 feels 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 he wanted to resist the economical and social inequality, he satirises his society through this poem.