Welcome, aspiring literary explorers, to a journey into the profound depths of Rita Joe’s powerful poem, “Justice.” This piece invites us to consider the multifaceted nature of fairness and its often elusive presence in our world. Prepare to sharpen your analytical skills as we uncover the layers of meaning, emotion, and masterful poetic craft woven into this essential work.
Justice seems to have many faces,
It does not want to play if my skin is not the right hue,
or correct the wrong we long for,
Action hanging off balanceJustice is like an open field
We observe, but are afraid to approach
We have been burned before
Hence the broken stride
And the lingering doubt
We often hideJustice may want to play
if we have an open smile
And offer the hand of communication
To make it worthwhileJustice has to make me see
Hear, feel.
Then I will know the truth is like a toy
To be enjoyed or broken.
Understanding the Poem “Justice” by Rita Joe
Rita Joe’s “Justice” is a poignant and incisive exploration of the concept of fairness, particularly from the perspective of those who have experienced systemic marginalization. The poem does not present justice as a universally accessible or inherently good force, but rather as a conditional and often prejudiced entity. It serves as a critical examination of how justice is perceived and dispensed, revealing its susceptibility to external factors such as appearance and social standing.
The Poem’s Core Message and Central Idea
The central idea of “Justice” revolves around the notion that fairness is not an absolute or impartial principle, but rather a fluid concept shaped by societal biases and power dynamics. The poem powerfully conveys that justice often operates with a selective gaze, favoring some while neglecting others based on superficial characteristics. It highlights the profound disillusionment and fear experienced by those who have repeatedly sought redress only to be met with indifference or further harm. Ultimately, the poem suggests that genuine justice requires empathy, understanding, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, rather than merely adhering to superficial gestures.
Noteworthy Knowledge for All Readers
This poem resonates deeply because it speaks to a universal human desire for fairness, while simultaneously exposing the painful reality of its absence for many. It encourages readers to question the impartiality of systems and to recognize the impact of historical injustices on contemporary experiences. The poem’s stark imagery and direct language make it accessible, yet its themes are complex and invite profound reflection on societal inequality, the fragility of trust, and the true cost of seeking justice.
In Depth Analysis of “Justice”
Exploring the Initial Stanza: The Many Faces of Justice
The poem immediately establishes a tone of skepticism and disillusionment with its opening declaration:
Justice seems to have many faces,
It does not want to play if my skin is not the right hue,
or correct the wrong we long for,
Action hanging off balance
The phrase “Justice seems to have many faces” suggests that justice is not a singular, unwavering ideal, but rather a chameleon like concept, shifting its appearance and application depending on the circumstances or, more critically, the individual involved. This immediately challenges the conventional understanding of justice as blind and impartial. The subsequent lines directly introduce the theme of racial discrimination: “It does not want to play if my skin is not the right hue.” Here, justice is personified as a child refusing to engage, highlighting its arbitrary and prejudiced nature. The speaker’s skin color becomes a barrier to receiving fair treatment, underscoring how superficial characteristics can dictate access to fundamental rights. The longing for correction, “or correct the wrong we long for,” emphasizes a deep seated desire for resolution and equity that remains unfulfilled. The stanza concludes with the powerful image of “Action hanging off balance,” which vividly conveys a state of instability, unfairness, and unresolved grievance. This line suggests that the scales of justice are not level, but rather tilted against those who are marginalized, leaving their pleas for fairness suspended and unheard.
The Metaphor of the Open Field: Fear and Hesitation
The second stanza introduces a compelling metaphor that illuminates the psychological impact of past injustices:
Justice is like an open field
We observe, but are afraid to approach
We have been burned before
Hence the broken stride
And the lingering doubt
We often hide
Comparing “Justice” to “an open field” initially suggests accessibility and freedom. An open field is typically a place where one can move freely, unhindered. However, the subsequent lines immediately subvert this expectation. The speaker reveals a profound reluctance: “We observe, but are afraid to approach.” This fear transforms the seemingly open field into a daunting, even dangerous, space. The reason for this apprehension is explicitly stated: “We have been burned before.” This powerful imagery of being “burned” signifies past experiences of harm, betrayal, and injustice, which have left deep scars. These past traumas manifest in physical and emotional consequences, described as “the broken stride” and “the lingering doubt / We often hide.” A “broken stride” suggests a hesitant, faltering approach to seeking justice, indicative of a spirit that has been wounded and is no longer able to move forward with confidence. The “lingering doubt” speaks to a profound lack of trust in the system, a skepticism born from repeated disappointment. This stanza masterfully conveys the cyclical nature of injustice, where past hurts create a pervasive fear that prevents individuals from even attempting to seek fairness, perpetuating their marginalization.
A Conditional Engagement: The Price of Acceptance
The third stanza offers a stark, almost cynical, perspective on how justice might be attained, suggesting a transactional rather than an inherent right:
Justice may want to play
if we have an open smile
And offer the hand of communication
To make it worthwhile
Here, the personification of justice as something that “may want to play” reinforces its capricious nature. It implies that justice is not a given, but a privilege that must be earned through specific behaviors. The conditions for its engagement are revealing: “if we have an open smile / And offer the hand of communication.” These actions suggest a need for conformity, appeasement, and a willingness to engage on terms dictated by the dominant power structure. An “open smile” could be interpreted as a facade of contentment or non threat, while “the hand of communication” might imply a willingness to negotiate or compromise, even on fundamental rights. The phrase “To make it worthwhile” is particularly poignant, suggesting that justice itself requires an incentive to act. This implies that the pursuit of justice is not based on merit or inherent fairness, but on a strategic performance designed to gain favor. This stanza critiques a system where genuine grievances are overlooked unless presented in a palatable, non confrontational manner, effectively placing the burden of making justice “worthwhile” on the very individuals who have been wronged.
Truth as a Fragile Toy: Disillusionment and Vulnerability
The final stanza delivers a powerful and unsettling conclusion, revealing a profound disillusionment with the nature of truth and justice:
Justice has to make me see
Hear, feel.
Then I will know the truth is like a toy
To be enjoyed or broken.
The opening lines, “Justice has to make me see / Hear, feel,” emphasize a deep seated need for tangible, sensory evidence of justice. The speaker demands a visceral experience of fairness, suggesting that abstract promises or legal pronouncements are insufficient. There is a yearning for justice to manifest in a way that is undeniable and personally felt. However, the revelation that follows is profoundly unsettling: “Then I will know the truth is like a toy / To be enjoyed or broken.” This analogy is striking and deeply cynical. A toy is something that can be played with, manipulated, and ultimately, discarded or destroyed. By comparing truth to a toy, the poem suggests that truth is not an immutable, sacred entity, but something fragile and vulnerable to manipulation. It can be “enjoyed” by those who benefit from its selective application or “broken” by those in power who wish to suppress or distort it. This final image leaves the reader with a sense of profound disillusionment, implying that truth, and by extension justice, is not a steadfast pillar of society but a precarious plaything, easily controlled and ultimately disposable in the hands of those with power.
Literary and Poetic Devices at Play in “Justice”
Rita Joe masterfully employs various literary and poetic devices to imbue “Justice” with its profound emotional resonance and critical insight. Understanding these techniques enhances appreciation for the poem’s artistry and its message.
Analyzing Literary Devices
- Personification: Justice is repeatedly personified throughout the poem, giving it human like qualities and actions. For example, “Justice seems to have many faces,” “It does not want to play,” and “Justice may want to play.” This device makes the abstract concept of justice more tangible and allows the poet to critique its behavior as if it were a flawed individual, highlighting its biases and inconsistencies.
- Metaphor: The poem’s central metaphor, “Justice is like an open field,” is particularly effective. It initially suggests accessibility but quickly reveals the underlying fear and danger associated with approaching it. This metaphor powerfully conveys the psychological barrier created by past injustices. Another potent metaphor is found in the final stanza: “the truth is like a toy / To be enjoyed or broken.” This comparison underscores the fragility and manipulability of truth in the face of power.
- Imagery: Rita Joe skillfully uses vivid imagery to evoke strong emotions and create memorable mental pictures. Examples include “skin is not the right hue,” which immediately brings racial discrimination to mind, and “action hanging off balance,” which visually represents instability and unfairness. The “broken stride” paints a picture of physical and emotional injury, while “burned before” conveys intense past suffering.
- Irony: A subtle yet pervasive irony runs through the poem. The very concept of “justice,” which should imply fairness and impartiality, is presented as conditional, biased, and easily manipulated. The idea that one must “have an open smile / And offer the hand of communication / To make it worthwhile” for justice to engage is deeply ironic, suggesting that genuine grievances are secondary to superficial appeasement.
Examining Poetic Devices
- Free Verse: The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter. This choice allows for a natural, conversational, and direct tone, mirroring the raw and unfiltered emotions expressed by the speaker. The absence of traditional poetic constraints gives the poet freedom to emphasize specific words and phrases for dramatic effect, enhancing the poem’s impact and immediacy.
- Enjambment: Rita Joe frequently employs enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause. This technique creates a sense of flow and urgency, drawing the reader swiftly through the lines and often creating a momentary suspense before the full thought is revealed. Consider the lines: “Justice has to make me see / Hear, feel.” The thought extends across the line breaks, emphasizing the cumulative demand for sensory experience. Another example is “the lingering doubt / We often hide,” where the enjambment connects the internal feeling directly to the act of concealment.
- Repetition: While not always overt, the poem uses repetition to reinforce its central themes. The repeated focus on the word “Justice” itself, particularly in its personified and conditional forms, underscores its problematic nature. The thematic repetition of past harm and its lingering effects, such as being “burned before” leading to “broken stride” and “lingering doubt,” emphasizes the cyclical nature of injustice and its profound psychological toll.
- Caesura: The strategic use of pauses within lines, or caesura, also contributes to the poem’s rhythm and emphasis. For instance, “Hear, feel.” The comma creates a brief pause, giving each sensory verb individual weight and impact, highlighting the speaker’s demand for a complete and undeniable experience of truth.
Notable Quotes for Reflection
Justice seems to have many faces,
It does not want to play if my skin is not the right hue,
or correct the wrong we long for,
Action hanging off balance
This opening stanza powerfully encapsulates the poem’s central critique of justice. It immediately establishes the idea of justice as a subjective and prejudiced entity, unwilling to engage with those who do not fit a prescribed mold. The imagery of “action hanging off balance” vividly portrays the instability and inherent unfairness within systems that claim to be just, setting the stage for the poem’s exploration of disillusionment and the struggle for equity.
Then I will know the truth is like a toy
To be enjoyed or broken.
These concluding lines offer a stark and memorable commentary on the fragility of truth and its vulnerability to manipulation. The comparison of truth to a “toy” suggests that it is not an inviolable principle but something that can be played with, used for amusement, or deliberately destroyed by those in power. This quote leaves a lasting impression of profound cynicism, challenging readers to consider how easily truth, and by extension justice, can be distorted or discarded in society.
Conclusion: The Enduring Power of “Justice”
Rita Joe’s “Justice” stands as a compelling and essential poem, offering a critical lens through which to examine the often complex and painful realities of fairness in our world. Through its vivid imagery, poignant metaphors, and direct language, the poem challenges us to look beyond superficial notions of justice and confront the deep seated biases that often dictate its application. It is a call to recognize the enduring impact of past wrongs, the psychological toll of systemic inequality, and the profound disillusionment that arises when truth is treated as a mere plaything. By exploring the conditional nature of justice, the poem urges readers to cultivate empathy, demand genuine accountability, and strive for a society where fairness is not a privilege, but an undeniable right for all. Its powerful message continues to resonate, making “Justice” a vital piece for anyone seeking to understand the ongoing struggle for equity and human dignity.