2.3.1 - The Justice of Peace by Hillaire Belloc

Book Back Questions

1. Write a critical appreciation of the poem.

The poem “The Justice of Peace” is written by Hilaire Belloc. The poem talks about the unfair thinking in society about wealth and poverty. The rich believe that property and money are natural rights and nobody should question them. The speaker shows irony by telling the poor tenant not to envy the rich man’s estate. The poem criticizes how society looks down on poor people and thinks they deserve suffering. It also shows how hard work of poor workers is not valued. The poet sadly presents a world where the rich become richer and the poor become poorer. The poem is a strong criticism of economic inequality.

2. Explore the ideas in the poem.

The poem explores ideas about property rights, poverty, and social injustice. The rich strongly believe that the state will protect their possessions like money, yachts, and estates. They feel nobody should question their wealth. At the same time, society judges poor people even for small comforts like cars, phones, or a drink. The poem shows how poor people work hard to survive, but their labour is not respected. It also highlights that minimum wage workers cannot easily support a family without government help. The poem criticizes the belief that poverty happens only because of poor choices. It exposes unfair attitudes and growing economic inequality.

3. What are the main themes that run throughout the poem?

The main themes in the poem are economic inequality, social injustice, and class conflict. The poem shows how rich people think wealth is their natural right and cannot be questioned. It also highlights how poor people are judged for trying to enjoy small pleasures. Another theme is the lack of value given to the hard work of ordinary workers like cleaners, taxi drivers, and grocery workers. The poem also discusses how society believes that if someone is poor, they deserve it. Overall, the poem presents a sad picture where the rich continue to grow richer while the poor struggle more.

4. What is the conflict in the poem?

The conflict in the poem is between the rich and the poor. The rich speaker owns a small estate and looks down on his tenant. He tells the poor man that it is illogical to fight against economic force and fate. The poor struggle to live, while the rich enjoy property and comfort. Society supports the rich and blames the poor for their condition. Poor people work hard but are still unable to afford basic needs. This creates tension and injustice. The poem shows the unfair system where the rich protect their wealth and the poor are expected to suffer.

5. Does the poet resign himself to a system built on economic inequalities and social injustices?

No, the poet does not fully resign himself to such a system. Instead, he criticizes the economic inequalities and social injustices strongly. Through irony, the poem shows how the rich justify their wealth and blame the poor. The poet questions the belief that property rights are natural and that poor people deserve their suffering. He exposes the harsh attitude of society towards beneficiaries and minimum wage workers. The poem sadly describes a world where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, but it clearly condemns this unfair system rather than accepting it quietly.