Poem Analysis - Justice

Introduction: A Bitter Observation on Justice

Langston Hughes's "Justice" is a short, potent indictment of the American justice system from the perspective of Black individuals. The poem carries a tone of weary cynicism, born from repeated experiences of injustice. Its brevity amplifies its impact, delivering a stark message about the disparity between the ideal of blind justice and the reality faced by African Americans. The poem shifts from a seemingly accepted axiom to a deeply disturbing revelation about the nature of that "blindness."

Historical Context: Jim Crow America

Langston Hughes was a prominent voice of the Harlem Renaissance, a period of flourishing African American art and literature in the 1920s and 30s. This poem, although undated, reflects the pervasive racial inequality of that era, particularly the era of Jim Crow laws in the American South. These laws enforced segregation and disenfranchisement, making a mockery of the idea of equal justice under the law for Black citizens. This historical reality provides a crucial lens through which to understand the poem's bitterness.

Theme: The Illusion of Impartiality

One central theme is the illusion of impartiality in the justice system. The opening line, "That Justice is a blind goddess," initially presents a widely accepted symbol of fairness. However, Hughes immediately subverts this notion. The "bandage" that symbolizes impartiality is revealed to be a cover-up, concealing something far more sinister. The bandage doesn’t represent neutrality but instead a deliberate blindness that allows injustice to fester.

Theme: Wounds of Injustice

Another key theme is the wounds inflicted by systemic injustice. The image of "two festering sores" is particularly powerful and visceral. These sores, located where the goddess's eyes "once perhaps were," suggest that justice was once capable of seeing and acting fairly, but now has been corrupted. The "festering" implies a chronic, unhealed wound, representing the enduring pain and suffering caused by racial discrimination in the justice system. This imagery evokes a sense of decay and moral corruption at the heart of the legal system.

Theme: Loss of Innocence

A subtle but significant theme is the loss of innocence and the forced wisdom of the Black community. The phrase "to which we black are wise" suggests that the Black community has been forced to understand the true, corrupt nature of justice through their own experiences. They are "wise" not because they are inherently more insightful, but because they have been repeatedly subjected to injustice. This knowledge, however, is not a source of pride but a mark of profound disillusionment.

Symbolism: The Corrupted Goddess

The poem's central symbol is the "blind goddess" of Justice herself. The transformation of the traditional symbol into a figure with "festering sores" is a powerful critique. The sores symbolize the deep-seated corruption and bias within the system. The fact that they were "once perhaps were eyes" implies a past where justice was more equitable, but now, that hope is gone, replaced by a festering wound. This image leaves the reader with a disturbing question: Can justice ever be truly restored, or is it permanently damaged?

Conclusion: A Lasting Indictment

In conclusion, "Justice" is a poignant and biting commentary on the broken promise of equal justice in America. Through powerful imagery and a shift from acceptance to disillusionment, Hughes exposes the deep-seated racial biases that plague the justice system. The poem's enduring relevance lies in its unflinching portrayal of the Black community's forced awareness of this injustice, making it a timeless indictment of a system that fails to live up to its ideals. It is a reminder that true justice cannot be blind to the suffering it inflicts.