Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Eleanor Wilner's "Judgment" presents a haunting and poignant image of Justice, reimagining her not as the omniscient, impartial figure of traditional iconography, but as a symbol of failure and decay. The poem explores themes of corruption, disillusionment, and the inherent flaws within the justice system.

The poem begins with the striking image of the removal of Justice's bandages, revealing that she has long since gone blind. This immediately subverts the traditional representation of Justice as a blindfolded woman holding scales, suggesting that her blindness is not voluntary or impartial, but the result of prolonged neglect and isolation. Justice has been left in the dark for too long, unable to distinguish between true and false. The scales, symbols of balance and fairness, are described as numb in her hands, indicating that she has lost her sense of judgment and discernment.

Wilner portrays Justice as a figure who has stood for years in the cold, outside the courts, suggesting that she has been marginalized and ignored by the very system she is supposed to represent. The law, depicted as rushing past her while clinging to the sleeve of power, highlights the corruption and the alliance between legal institutions and those in power. This alliance has rendered Justice powerless and disconnected, turning her veins to marble and her eyes to opalescent stone. The transformation of her body into cold, lifeless materials underscores her detachment from human concerns and the loss of her ability to empathize or act justly.

The second stanza introduces those who tore the veil away, revealing the irony that, despite her blindness, they feel as though they are being watched. The suggestion that a ray of sun catching a bit of glass could resemble a bright, appraising eye implies that even in her incapacitated state, Justice still holds a symbolic power that evokes guilt and shame. This reflects the inherent moral consciousness that persists within individuals, despite systemic corruption.

The poem's concluding lines depict these individuals, who feel caught out and ashamed, retreating to their homes and locking their windows tight. The image of them slipping into the room where their children sleep and weeping suggests a profound sense of remorse and helplessness. Their tears are for something they cannot articulate, symbolizing a deep, unspoken recognition of the failure of justice and the impact it has on future generations.

Through vivid imagery and a somber tone, Wilner's "Judgment" critiques the justice system and its complicity with power. The poem challenges the reader to consider the consequences of a justice system that has become numb and blind, highlighting the need for accountability and moral reflection. The depiction of Justice as a cold, detached figure serves as a powerful metaphor for the loss of integrity and empathy within legal institutions, calling for a reevaluation of what true justice should entail.

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