The Council of Justice · Chapter
I: The Red Hundred explained
The chapter introduces the Four Just Men, a vigilante council that executes justice outside the law, and contrasts them with the Red Hundred, an anarchist organization holding its first international congress in London.
What happens
The chapter introduces the Four Just Men, a vigilante council that executes justice outside the law, and contrasts them with the Red Hundred, an anarchist organization holding its first international congress in London. The narrative follows the abduction of three German anarchist delegates by men impersonating police, and culminates in the Woman of Gratz's speech at the Phoenix Hall, where she reveals the Red Hundred's fear of the Four Just Men.
Themes in this chapter
Vigilante Justice vs. Legal System
The Four Just Men operate outside the law, executing justice through murder, which the narrator justifies as necessary for crimes the legal system cannot address.
Moral Ambiguity of Right and Wrong
The narrator questions whether the Four Just Men are criminals or heroes, highlighting the blurred line between justice and murder.
Anarchism and Political Terrorism
The Red Hundred congress and the Woman of Gratz's speech embody anarchist ideology, advocating violence and terror against oppressors.
Public Opinion and Media Influence
The narrator acknowledges that the Four Just Men are indifferent to public opinion, while the Red Hundred uses speeches and congresses to spread their message.
Characters to notice
- George Manfred
One of the Four Just Men, described as equally guilty or great depending on perspective.
- Leon Gonsalez
One of the Four Just Men, mentioned alongside Manfred and Poiccart.
- Poiccart
One of the Four Just Men, part of the Council of Justice.
- Superintendent Falmouth
Detective-Superintendent from Scotland Yard who writes to the assistant-commissioner about the Red Hundred congress and later enters the hall.
- Peter Sweeney
Reporter and organizer of the Red Hundred congress, who hired the hall and issued tickets under the guise of a Russian Sailors' Home.
- Herr Schmidt
Anarchist delegate from Baden, abducted by men impersonating police before the congress.
- Herr Von Dunop
Anarchist delegate from Mannheim, abducted alongside Schmidt and Bleaumeau.
- The Woman of Gratz
Anarchist speaker at the congress, known for her beauty and revolutionary acts; she reveals the threat from the Four Just Men.
Key passages
“It is not for you or me to judge Manfred and his works. I say 'Manfred,' though I might as well have said 'Gonsalez,' or for the matter of that 'Poiccart,' since they are equally guilty or great according to the light in which you view their acts.”
The narrator suggests that Manfred, Gonsalez, and Poiccart are equally responsible for their deeds, which can be seen as either criminal or heroic depending on one's perspective.
Establishes the moral ambiguity surrounding the Four Just Men.
“There are crimes for which there is no adequate punishment, and offences that the machinery of the written law cannot efface. Therein lies the justification for the Four Just Men—the Council of Justice as they presently came to call themselves—a council of great intellects, passionless.”
The Four Just Men justify their extrajudicial killings by arguing that some crimes are beyond the reach of legal punishment.
Explains the vigilante philosophy of the Four Just Men.
“The wonderful international congress was meeting in London, the first great congress of recognised Anarchism. This was no hole-and-corner gathering of hurried men speaking furtively, but one open and unafraid with three policemen specially retained for duty outside the hall...”
The Red Hundred congress was held openly in London, with police present, marking a bold public display of anarchist organization.
Highlights the audacity and scale of the anarchist congress.
“These Christs who deputize their Calvaries, she called them with fine scorn, and the hall roared its approval of the imagery.”
The Woman of Gratz scornfully refers to reformist theorists as 'Christs who delegate their suffering,' a phrase that electrifies the audience.
Shows her rhetorical power and the crowd's fervor.
“I want two men who were seen to enter this hall: two members of an organization that is outside the Red Hundred. They—' 'Ha!' The woman who still stood upon the platform leant forward with blazing eyes. 'I know—I know!' she cried breathlessly; 'the men who threatened us—who threatened me—The Four Just Men!'”
Superintendent Falmouth enters the hall seeking two men, and the Woman of Gratz immediately identifies them as the Four Just Men who have threatened the Red Hundred.
Climactic revelation linking the Four Just Men to the anarchist congress.
