The title of the play "Justice" is ironical as it relates the story of social injustice in the name of real justice. "Justice" is a heart-rending tragedy, its central theme being the suffering caused to individuals by the administration of criminal law. Falder the hero of the play committed an act of forgery to save his beloved Ruth who was continuously tortured by her husband. As her very life is in danger, and moved as much by pity as by love, he plans to elope with her to South America. As he has no money, he commits the crime. He is branded as a criminal though it was his first crime. Neither the employers nor the law gave him a chance for purification. He is sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonmen.  His spiritual agony during his term of solitary confinement is vividly and realistically depicted.

                 Justice is one of the most powerful of the problem plays produced in recent times, and in it the playwright has focussed on a number of social problems of his day. The main problem is the problem of the administration of justice. The problem is what society should do with a criminal like Falder who violates the laws of society by altering a cheque of his employers amd misappropriating some money? When Walter asks his father James to let Falder go "for the sake of his future", James sarcastically replies" According to you, no one would ever be prosecuted. To break the law like that- in here...Nothing for it. Prosecute." At last Falder come out from jail and he forges a reference for securing a job and is re-arrested, and commits suicide.

       The title is very much appropriate because it demonstrated the fallibility of the legal system of the land. The has no doubt about the play that tells the story of the life, suffering and death of Falder, but there are uncountable Falders in society who suffer similarly and meet a similar fate. For all these crucial reasons we may conclude that the title of the play appropriate and suggestive.          

   "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.                     
                
            

Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher in his famous book, "Poetics" deduces the qualities of a tragic hero. From his point of view, ideal tragic hero "must be an intermediate kind of person, a man not pre-eminently virtuous and just, whose misfortune, however, is bought upon him not by vice or depravity but by some error of judgement." This "error of judgement" is termed as 'hamartia'. He also asserts, the tragic hero must occupy a position of lofty eminence in society. According to him, "Higher the state the greater the fall that follows." This fall evokes the pity and fear in the mind of the audience.


            "Justice", a notable problem play and social tragedy by Galsworthy is the result of Galsworthy's grim experience after visiting the convict prison of Dartmoor in September, 1907. In this play, Folder is the tragic hero, but he is not conventional. In some places, he distinguishes from the conventional or Aristotlian tragic hero.


             Falder, the tragic protagonist of the play, is a clerk in the firm form of solicitors. Whereas the heroes of the Greek or the Shakespearean are grand, sublime in conception, Titanic and superhuman in vigour and force, gigantic and mammoth in dimensions, Falder belongs to the common rank of humanity. He does not occupy any eminent place. Here he deviates from the concept of conventional tragic hero like Oedipus, Macbeth, Hamlet.


              Falder is not a person who is too good or too bad. He is an intermediate kind of person. And he does not face his tragedy because of some 'hamartia' or 'tragic flaw' or 'error of judgement'. He only makes the offence of forgery from nine to ninety. But he has done it not because of any bad intention,  but because he wants to save Ruth from the torture of her brutal husband. But before his flight with Ruth, his crime is discovered and he is arrested. From this point of time, his tragedy begins as Mr. Frome, the defence counsel says in the Trial Scene, "The rolling of the chariot wheels of justice over this boy began when it was decided to prosecute him."


             Galsworthy is a realistic writer and he shows the problems of society and law through the tragedy of Falder. In the Trial Scene, Mr. Frome considers Falder as 'a patient' and not a criminal and compares 'justice' to a "machine that when someone has once given it the starting push rolls on of itself." He also considers 'justice' as a 'chariot' and the "chariot wheels of justice" finish the life of Falder. According to him, "Men, like the prisoners are destroyed daily under our law for want of that human insight."


             A conventional tragic hero suffers from his "tragic flaw". But in the case of Falder, he is not dominated by any flaws. He does not work in a "momentary solace", in a "moment of aberration." Falder is a weak-willed character as Mr. Frome says to the Judge, "bred and born with a weak character." He is a victim of the maligned force of society. Though Mr. Frome pleads to judge him from the humanitarian point of view, Mr. Cleaver considers it as "one of the most serious known to our law" and the Judge asserts, "The crime you have committed is a very serious one." And finally he is sentenced to imprisonment.


              Through the "Mute Scene", Galsworthy shows the deep rooted agony of a prisoner during the time of his solitary confinement. Though the scene is without any dialogue, it is capable enough to arouse pity for Falder Calder and fear for the system of prison administration. However, after two years he has been released from the prison, but he is ordered to report in the police station regularly. But he does not do this. So he is again found by the Detective Sergeant Wister. And finally he "throwd up his head and goes out through the outer office" and surrenders to death and a "dead silence" swallows the situation.


         Thus though Falder does not occupy any eminent place or higher state, his death occurs pity and fear in the mind of of us and helps in bringing out the catharsis of these emotions. Falder is not a conventional tragic hero, but he is an impo8

Galsworthy, "The humanitarian moralist" is very careful about the delineation of his characters as he thinks that character is the most important element of his dramatic technique. According to him, character is the foundation of the plot. He feels that the plot is subservient to character. He opines, " The perfect dramatist rounds up his characters and facts within the ring fence of a dominant idea which fulfils the craving of his spirit..... Take care if character......with take care of themselves." At another place, he says, "The dramatist who hangs his characters to his plot, instead of hanging his plot to his characters is guilty of cardinal sin."



               Galsworthy draws characters from his observation of persons around him. "Justice", one of the most remarkable social tragedies and problem plays, is the exact specimen of this. In it, he also draws characters from common place like home, office, law court etc. "Justice" is the result of Galsworthy's grim experience when he visited the convict prison of Dartmoor in September, 1907. In this play, Cokeson plays a very important role to establish Galsworthy's tragic outlook on society.



              Cokeson is the man of "sixty, wearing spectacles, rather short, with a bald head and an honest pug-dog face." He is a man full of humanity, sympathy, a strong sense of justice, a timid impartiality and generosity. Cokeson is a law abiding and disciplined person. He says about himself ---- "I'm a plain man -- never set myself against authority." His honesty is shown in the 'Trial Scene', where he does not use any single word of his own, rather he quotes the exact words told by Ruth i. e. "It's a matter of life and death."



              Here in the play, "Justice", Cokeson plays the role of the chorus. He is the character who introduces the most important two characters of the play, Ruth and Falder. He acts as the mediator and connects the characters of the play with the audience or the reader. In this serious play, Cokeson is the only person who provides fun and humour. The chief source of his humour is the misuse of words and their wrong pronunciation. He uses the word 'eurotic' for 'neurotic'. He uses the Latin phrase "Quite compos", but originally it is "noncompos mentis". He also uses "sign quanonne" for "some qua non" and "prime facey" for "prima facie".



            Through  the character of Cokeson,  Galsworthy also shows the problems of the then society. Firstly, when Ruth comes to visit Falder, Cokeson firmly asserts, "It's all against the rules" and "we don't allow private callers here." And when Falder kisses Ruth, he says "This isn't right" and "It's an improper use of these premises." Here he shows the hard rules of the solicitors' office. Again, in Act IV, after the release of Falder from prison, when he comes to the office for a job, Cokeson requests to James that,  "I'm bound to tell you all about it. He's quite penitent. But there's prejudice against him...."Actually, Galsworthy here very authentically shows the problem of social and economic rehabilitation of the prisoners after their release from the jail.



             Thus, Cokeson's character is too important to avoid. Without Cokeson , the plot of the play is not build up and the theme is not established. He is the character who gives start to the play and it ends with his remark ---- "No one'll touch him now! Never again! He's safe with gentle Jesus." Though he is a round character and remains same from beginning to end  "under the stress of circumstances" (Skemp), Cokeson is an omnipotent character to fulfil Galsworthy's ambition.

These words of Cokeson at the end of Galsworthy's famous problem play, "Justice"(1910) shows his sane and sympathetic attitude toward Falder. He has genuine affection and love for Falder. He visits the prison to see the poor condition of him. He has pleaded for reinstatement of Falder, so that he may get a chance to lead a decent normal life.

             But finally Falder has to  face the biggest punishment i. e. death and Ruth cries out,"No, no! No, no!", Cokeson's heart melts with pity and is full of sorrow at the harrowing sight of Falser dead and Ruth is bending over his body calling, "pretty", "dear". Cokeson utters these words which bring out his warm- hearted humanity. Falder has been hunted out of life by the blood-hounds of law. He is now beyond the rich of law ans Society. They cannot touch him now.

             Cokeson becomes philosophical in his speech. He means to say that Jesus is the savior of all man. Jesus can save him from injustice which has meted out to Falder in the name of justice in human society. Jesus gives shelter to all- the virtuous and the vicious. He is merciful and loving. Cruelties of so-called justice have completely crushed him. By committing suicide Falder has gone to heaven and will get the love,  mercy and shelter if he kind- hearted Jesus.

In Galsworthy's famous problem play, "Justice" Falder is accused of forgery from nine to ninety and Frome is the defence counsel and pleads to the Judge for mercy by bringing in the story of love between Falder and the married woman, Ruth Honeywill and her distress under the torment of her husband. He emphasizes the emotional background under which he has acted this forgery. He says that Falder has done this under the "temporary insanity caused by the violent distress."

                  But the Judge tells Falder about his crime and law before giving the final judgement. He says that, "I have to consider on the one hand the grave nature of your offence, the deliberate way in which you subsequently altered the counterfoil, the danger you caused to an innocent man - and that to my mind is a very grave point - and finally I have to consider the necessity of deterring others from following your example." He then defines law as "a majestic edifice, sheltering all of us, each stone of which rests on another."

             According to the Judge, law is not a cage but a magnificent building that has been erected through ages by the efforts of civilized man. It is a system that shelters all from vices and corruption. Those who violate the rules and principles of civilized life, and thus threaten the order and security of social life and punished by law. The Judge as a custordian of law, has thus the sacred responsibility not only to Falder, 'but to the community', to the administration with right spirit of reason and mortality.

         The Judge through this concepttion of law takes an orthodox conservative view of morality and law. He considers Falder's crime as 'a very serious one' and he does not agree with Frome to release him because it is quite harmful to the society, according to the Judge.

In Galsworthy's famous problem play, "Justice"(1910), Falder, the young fellow has been arrested for the offence of forgery, but in Act IV, we see that he has been released from the prison and comes to the solicitor's office to join the job again. He says to Cokeson, "I just want a chance, Mr. Cokeson. I've paid for that job a thousand times and more."

               Cokeson appeals to James to give Falder the job back by saying that "he's quite penitent" and "he's had his lesson". Though first James does not agree with Cokeson, but after sometime, he is quite melted and gives Falder two conditions. The 1st one is, "It's no good coming here as a victim" and the 2nd one is that " this woman you are mixed up with - you must give us your word, you know, to have done with that: There's no chance of your keeping straight if you're going to begin your future with such a relationship."

           But Falder refused to dissociate himself from Ruth because "it's the one thing" he "looked forward to all that time." He also says, "I couldn't give her up. I couldn't. .......I'm all she's got to look to. And I'm sure she's all I have got." He adds that, "There's been nothing between us". He promised James that they will keep apart till the affair of divorce is over. But he cannot fully depart from her at any cost.

            Here his deep attachment with Ruth is clearly suggested. His loyalty, his deep and intense love is indicated in his words. He is quite serious in this matter and he does not leave her because she is in a helpless condition.

This is told by Ruth Honeywill, an unhappy married woman of twenty six years, to Cokeson, the managing clerk of solicitors' office in John Galsworthy's famous problem play, "Justice".

              Ruth wants to visit Falder because of some 'personal matter', but Cokeson does not permit her to meet with him. He says sternly that "we don't allow private callers here" because "it is all against the rules". He also says that if one of the employers come then it becomes a matter of problem Ruth "mustn't take up his time in office hours". But Ruth is obstinate to meet with Falder and makes this remark.

                Through this short but significant remark, Galsworthy shows a problem of the then society - the problem of the livelihood of those women whose marriage prices unhappy and troublesome. Here he uses the character of Ruth as the representative of those women. She is tortured everyday by her husband, cruel and brutaland it has gone to the extreme limit as "he tried to cut" her "throat last night". She comes to Falder to settle the matter of their elopement. She has come with her children with readiness to leave her husband's house. If Cokeson does not allow her. to meet it will be unfortunate for her.This remark also has an ironical suggestion. She does not know what is waiting for her. The phrase "life and death" indicates the coming misfortune of both Ruth and Falder.

In Galsworthy's play, "Justice", a social tragedy, Falder, the hero of the story has been arrested for the crime of forgery from nine to ninety. Frome, the councel for the defence gives his evidences to make Falder free. He pleads to judge him as 'a patient' and not as 'a criminal' because he is a young fellow and he has done this act of forgery in 'a momentary solace', in 'a moment of aberration'.

              He first compares justice to 'a machine', then with a cage out of which no body comes out unhurt when one has fallen into it. Then he says that, "the rolling of the chariot wheels of justice over this boy began when it was decided to prosecute  him." The contention of Frome is that the 'wheels' of justice have been crushing and trampling Falder for the last two months. He means to say that he has already suffered in the prison. When he was prosecuted and handed over to the police, his misery began. The metaphor used here is that justice moves on in a chariot as it were and its wheels roll on over the criminal and crush them at the end. In Falder, the wheels of justice have already began to roll and he must be finished, if he does not make himself free.

              Goldsworthy is a realistic writer who writes plays with the deliberate purpose to protest against the problems of society. Here he makes a campeign against the system of justice, law, prison administration, particularly of solitary confinement. Here Galsworthy is trying to elaborate the real meaning of justice and he wants to make his readers understand that a man commits a crime 'out of a moment' but he has to pay all throughout his life. This metaphor of 'wheel' strikes "a crushing blow at a custom which continues to darken our humanity and good sense" of Galsworthy's time.