# Justice explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A darkly satirical poem about Justice Jack Doe, who murders his rival Dick Roe in a grotesque manner, is tried, and is acquitted on grounds of extemporary insanity, mocking the absurdity of the legal system.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Revenge

The poem critiques the perversion of justice, where a murderer is acquitted through a legal technicality.

### Political Satire

The absurd trial and verdict mock the corruption and hypocrisy within the judicial system.

## Character check-ins

### Justice Jack Doe

The murderer who kills his rival and is acquitted due to insanity.

## Key lines

> Justice Jack Doe met Dick Roe, whose wife he loved, And said: 'I will get the best of him.' So pulling a knife from his boot, he shoved It up to the hilt in the breast of him.

Justice Jack Doe, motivated by love for Dick Roe's wife, murders Roe by stabbing him deeply.

_Sets up the motive and brutal act of murder._

> The case was tried and a verdict found: The jury, with great humanity, Acquitted the prisoner on the ground Of extemporary insanity.

The jury, showing misplaced compassion, acquits the murderer by ruling he was temporarily insane.

_Highlights the satirical critique of the legal system's absurdity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/justice
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters