Perception of Justice in Jasper Jones Essay Example

The story of Jasper Jones is filled with intrigues that challenge the readers' perception of justice. Set in a hot summer of min-1960s, the small mining town of Corrigan has more than the natural heat to contend with. There is an ongoing war in Vietnam and the locals have used this, together with other combined factors, to vent their frustrations towards anyone they perceive to be an outsider throughout the novel. Their frustrations are aired out in an unfair manner that brings to the fore the underlying themes of prejudice and injustice towards the intended victims. Their are the characters of Jasper Jones, a mixed race rebel; and that of the Vietnamese Lu family who are at the receiving end of the justice served in the town (Silvey, 2009). The character of Charlie Bucktin also aids the author to give the reading audience a different perspective of justice.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Our perception of justice is challenged throughout the story of Japser Jones through the character of Charlie. Despite being an intelligent young writer with a passion for literature, he is subjected to repetitive instances of bullying at school that points towards injustice and unfairness. He is naive with all the innocence of a teenager who is oblivious of the injustices that go on around him. His upbringing and personality are a deeply embedded moral fabric that make him blind to the twisted sense of justice taking place in the small mining town he calls home. Due to his naivety, the readers easily forgive his character that cannot fully comprehend how acts of injustice and wrongdoing can occur through humanity. It is ironic, however, that social injustices have led him to hide his friendship with his best friend Jeffrey Lu due to his Vietnamese roots.

Despite having an elaborate legal mechanism, Corrigan's residents prefer to seek justice by shifting their frustrations towards the people they perceive to be outsiders. Born to a white father and an Aboriginal mother, Jasper Jones becomes an easy target for accusations flying around the town. His troubles begin when his girlfriend, Laura Wishart, is found dead in mysterious circumstances that thrust Jasper into the cross hairlines of the residents. Everyone suspects him for the murder due to his bad boy image and perceived outsider status. There is a sense of injustice in being presumed guilty even before the proper legal mechanism is followed. The author notes, 'Because a girl goes missing in this town, and it's Japser Jones who is held, and threatened, and belted for days' (Silvey, 2009). Jasper decides to bypass the judicial process as it is not just and goes out of his way to try and find Laura's killer with the help of Charlie Bucktin.

Corrigan residents also direct their sense of injustices towards the Lu family, thus piling even more unfairness and unjust towards an already messed justice system. Their Vietnamese heritage does not help in softening the hearts of the residents, especially in the wake of the Vietnam war that has claimed casualties some of whom are relatives of the Corrigan residents. Instead of pursuing justice and remuneration from the relevant authorities, the woman whose son was killed in the war is quick to vent her anger towards Mrs. Lu with a tone full of unjust and racist slurs. The author states that, 'After Sue finally attacks Mrs. Lu with hot water, Charlie doesn't think Sue's sons being drafted is justification. "That doesn't make it right....that's got nothing to do with Mrs. Lu! It's not fair!" - confused, petulant tone; narrative voice' (Silvey, 2009). There is injustice where Mr. Lu's garden is attacked and at the cricket game where Jeffrey is told; "Fuck off Cong".

The author also gives readers a different perspective of the justice meted out throughout the Jasper Jones novel. As far as the innocent character of Charlie is concerned, adhering to the laid down legal channels is the ideal way of attaining justice for both the perpetrator and victim of any given crime. This is a contrasting perspective to the opinions held by Jasper Jones regarding justice. Being the wiser of the two teenagers, Jasper knows only too well that things in Corrigan are not as black and white as they seem as they always tend to become complicated, including justice. He understands that although there is a legal mechanism for pursuing justice, the system does not always end up serving the intended justice. This view is further complicated by the fact that the law enforcement agents are required to trust the rebellious character of Jasper Jones who the Corrigan community already dislikes.

Conclusion

Jasper Jones investigative efforts reveal that Laura was frequently raped and pregnant before she met her death. This pursuit of justice outside the justice system leads Eliza Wishart to commit arson through an episode of rage as a retribution to her father's incestuous and murderous actions towards her dead sister, Laura. Even Charlie has changed his perception of pursuing justice the legal way because he describes Eliza's action of arson as being right as far as justice is concern yet she is literally breaking the law. Eliza's father, seen as an upright member of the Corrigan society, has not only raped his daughter Laura on regular basis, but also had the nerve to shift the blame towards Jasper Jones for his own wrongdoings (Silvey, 2009). That is why the author creates a sense of relief, fairness, and justice among the readers by ensuring that he is punished through Eliza's actions.

Reference

Silvey, C. (2009). Jasper Jones. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Publishing.