How does Galsworthy use Falder's death scene in "Justice" as a vehicle to make a social point? Discuss.

   "Justice" by John Galsworthy   is, no doubt, a successful social propaganda that was much effective to "strike a crushing blow at a custom which continues to darken our humanity and good sense" of Galsworthy's time.  "Justice" was not written by him in any 'wanton spirit'. "It has been nothing but pain from beginning to end." Galsworthy wants to show the burning problems of contemporary society and he uses the death scene of Falder as a vehicle to make a social point.

    In Act iv of the play, we see that Falder is released from the prison and comes to the solicitors' office to get a job. But Detective Sergeant Wister comes here to arrest him because "he's failed to report himself lately." In shame & despair & agony of the coming tortures in the jail, "he throws up his head and goes out of the outer office" and commits suicide by jumping down the stairs -- "There are sounds of footsteps descending the stone stairs : suddenly a dull thud...." and a "dead silence" rounds up the situation.

    Galsworthy uses this death scene to show the problems of law and justic, legal as well as social,,  problem of social & economic rehabilitation of a former convict. The  the most burning problem of the then time is the problem of justice. Falder is accused of forgery which he has done in "a momentary solace" but Mr. Cleaver considers it as "one of the most serious known to our law" and yhe Judge also says that "The crime you have committed is a very serious one."

    Though, Mr. Frome pleads to jufge him not as 'a criminal' but as 'a patient', he is imprisoned for thtee years. Galsworthy's criticism is vivid here as he says through the dialogue of Mr. Frome that "Men, like the prisoners are destroyed daily under our law for want of that human insight." Frome also considers justice "as a machine when someone has once given it the starting push, rolls on of itself." He also says, "the rolling of the chariot wheels of justice over this boy began when it was decided to prosecute him."

    Finally he has to face his tragic end. His death proves true the prediction of Mr. Frome i.e. "Imprison him as a criminal and I affirm to you that he will be lost." Not only that, but also Falder's death proves that "once a criminal, forever a criminal" in the eye of justice & law. Though he becomes "penitent" for his work, society cannot accept him as a perfectly good person. The stigma of criminality stands as a bar to his security that leads him ultimately to his death.

    Thus this death scene introduces sensational elements into the play, making it a story of society, story of social probl,,  story of unfortunate crime & disproportionate punishment, rather than conventional high tragedy.