Poetic Justice

Etymology of Poetic Justice

The term “poetic justice” is a combination of two words: poetic and justice. The word “poetic” comes from the Latin word poeticus. It has its roots in the Greek term poietikos, which means “pertaining to poetry or creation.” “Justice,” on the other hand, comes from the Latin word justitia, stemming from the Latin adjective justus, meaning “righteous” or “fair.” It refers to the moral principle of fairness, righteousness, and the proper administration of law.

Meanings of Poetic Justice

• Balance and Fairness: It signifies a just and equitable outcome that matches actions or qualities.
• Moral and Ethical Resolution: It reflects the alignment of actions and consequences, emphasizing morality.
• Ironic and Unexpected Twist: It incorporates irony and surprises in the outcome.
• Symbolic and Aesthetic Resonance: It adds symbolism and artistic impact to the resolution.
• Narrative Closure and Satisfaction: It provides closure and satisfaction to the audience.
• Reinforcement of Social Order: It reinforces societal norms and promotes moral principles.
• Artistic Expression and Creativity: Poetic justice showcases creative representation of justice.

Poetic Justice in Grammar

Grammatically, “poetic justice” is a noun phrase. It consists of the noun “justice” modified by the adjective “poetic.” The term does not function as a verb. However, the word “poeticize” is a verb that means “to make something poetic or give it a poetic quality.”

Definition of Poetic Justice

Poetic justice, as a literary device, means the attainment of a thematically fitting and morally satisfying outcome of a vice or a bad deed that aligns with the actions and qualities of characters in a narrative. It operates as a mechanism for rewarding virtue and punishing vice, enhancing the ethical dimensions of storytelling. Further use of literary devices or elements such as irony, symbolism, and unexpected turns, shows serving to reinforce cohesion, evoking emotional responses, and providing a sense of closure to the readers and audiences.

Types of Poetic Justice

There are several types of poetic justice in literature, including:

Type	Definition	Example in Literature
Rewarding Virtue	It involves the rewarding of virtuous characters or actions in a narrative, highlighting moral values upheld in the story.	In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from a miserly and selfish person to a generous and compassionate individual demonstrates rewarding virtue.
Punishing Vice	It shows the punishment of characters or actions due to vices or immoral behavior, reinforcing the consequences of such actions.	In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth’s ambition and treacherous acts ultimately lead to his downfall and demise, serving as a punishment for his wicked deeds.
Irony	It involves a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, resulting in a surprising or unexpected twist that satisfies moral or thematic elements.	In O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” the ironic twist occurs when both characters sacrifice their most precious possessions, only to realize the futility of their actions but still find love.
Karma	It reflects the idea of “what goes around comes around,” where characters receive consequences or outcomes directly linked to their previous actions.	In Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex, Oedipus unknowingly fulfills the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother, facing tragic consequences as a result of his own actions.
Role Reversal	It involves a reversal of fortune or power dynamics, where characters in positions of advantage or dominance face downfall, while the oppressed rise to victory.	In Mark Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper,” the impoverished pauper who assumes the identity of a prince experiences a role reversal, gaining power and recognition, while the true prince faces hardship.
Cosmic Justice	It refers to a higher, divine force or destiny ensuring that characters receive outcomes they deserve, representing an inherent balance or order in the universe.	In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart,” the narrator’s guilt manifests in his own unraveling and confession, suggesting a form of cosmic justice where his conscience becomes his tormentor.
Symbolic Resonance	It is achieved through the use of symbolism, where the outcome of a character’s actions carries deeper meaning or represents a broader thematic idea in the narrative.	In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the pigs, who initially advocated for equality and justice, gradually adopt the same oppressive behavior as humans, symbolizing the corruption of power.
Moral Lesson	It aims to convey a moral lesson or ethical message, with the story’s resolution aligning with a particular value system, guiding readers’ understanding of right and wrong.	In Aesop’s fables, such as “The Tortoise and the Hare,” the moral lesson emphasizes the value of perseverance and humility, as the slow and steady tortoise wins the race against the overconfident hare.
Narrative Closure	It serves as a means of achieving closure by resolving conflicts, tying loose ends, and providing a satisfying conclusion aligning with the story’s underlying themes and principles.	In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, the destruction of the One Ring and the return of peace to Middle-earth provide narrative closure, satisfying the quest for balance and defeating the forces of evil. It shows the use of poetic justice.
Emotional Impact	It aims to evoke emotional responses from readers, eliciting catharsis, satisfaction, or reflection on the complexities of human nature and the interplay of actions and consequences.	In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the trial of Tom Robinson evokes a range of emotions, highlighting the injustices of society and encouraging readers to reflect on racial prejudice and empathy.

Literary Examples of Poetic Justice

Type of Poetic Justice	Reference	Explanation
Punishing Vice	Hamlet by William Shakespeare	King Claudius, who commits regicide and marries his brother’s widow, is eventually killed by Hamlet, seeking revenge for his father’s murder.
Rewarding Virtue	The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas	Edmond Dantès, wrongly imprisoned, escapes and takes revenge on those who betrayed him, demonstrating the triumph of his resilience and virtue.
Punishing Vice	Great Expectations by Charles Dickens	Miss Havisham, who cruelly raises Estella to break men’s hearts, realizes her mistakes and faces a lonely and destitute existence as a consequence.
Punishing Vice	The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne	Hester Prynne, publicly shamed for adultery, and Arthur Dimmesdale, her lover and a minister, both suffer the consequences of their actions, with Dimmesdale ultimately succumbing to his guilt and dying.
Punishing Vice	Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky	Raskolnikov, the murderer tormented by guilt, confesses to the crime, leading to his imprisonment and eventual redemption, highlighting the punishment of his morally corrupt actions.
Punishing Vice	“The Odyssey” by Homer	The suitors, greedy and disrespectful, are slain by Penelope’s husband, Odysseus, upon his return, avenging their transgressions and restoring order and justice to his home.

These literary examples demonstrate how it plays a role in characters’ fates and the overall message of a work of literature.

How to Create Poetic Justice in a Fictional Work

To create it in a fictional work, here are some steps to consider:

1. Establish the moral code
2. Create flawed characters
3. Establish consequences
4. Use irony
5. Use symbolism
6. Ensure a satisfying resolution

In fact, creating poetic justice in a fictional work requires careful consideration of the characters’ actions, the consequences that result, and the overall message or moral of the story. By following these steps, you can create a compelling and impactful story that resonates with readers.

Benefits of Poetic Justice

Poetic justice can have several benefits in a work of literature, including:

1. Reinforcing moral values
2. Creating emotional impact
3. Developing characters
4. Engaging the reader
5. Delivering a message

In short, poetic justice could be a powerful tool for creating impact and resonance in a work of literature, helping to reinforce moral values, engage the reader, and create emotional impact.

Poetic Justice and Literary Theory

Poetic justice can be analyzed and understood through various literary theories, including:

Literary Theory	Critique of Poetic Justice	Example from Literature
Marxism	Poetic justice reinforces the status quo and fails to address systemic issues and social inequality.	In Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, Miss Havisham’s ultimate redemption undermines social critique.
Postcolonialism	It perpetuates colonial ideologies and fails to challenge power dynamics in postcolonial contexts.	In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Kurtz’s demise doesn’t challenge the broader imperialist narrative.
Feminism	It often promotes gender stereotypes and fails to address complex gender dynamics.	In Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, Bertha’s death doesn’t challenge oppressive gender norms.
Deconstruction	It relies on binary oppositions and fails to recognize the inherent ambiguity of meaning.	In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the downfall of Claudius doesn’t fully address the play’s complexities.
Queer Theory	Poetic justice often upholds heteronormative ideals and overlooks the diversity of queer experiences.	In Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian’s punishment reinforces heteronormative moral standards.
Poststructuralism	It assumes stable and fixed identities, disregarding the fluidity of subjectivity.	In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov’s punishment oversimplifies the nature of guilt.
New Historicism	It neglects historical context and fails to account for the complexities of societal norms.	In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Robinson’s fate disregards the racial tensions of the time.
Psychoanalysis	Poetic justice oversimplifies psychological motivations and disregards the intricacies of the human psyche.	In Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff’s transformation lacks depth in understanding his psyche.

Suggested Readings

1. Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Cengage Learning, 2014.
2. Alter, Robert. Partial Magic: The Novel as a Self-Conscious Genre. University of California Press, 1975.
3. Brooks, Peter. Reading for the Plot: Design and Intention in Narrative. Harvard University Press, 1992.
4. Frye, Northrop. The Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton University Press, 1957.
5. Hogan, Patrick Colm. The Mind and Its Stories: Narrative Universals and Human Emotion. Cambridge University Press, 2003.
6. Lentricchia, Frank. After the New Criticism. University of Chicago Press, 1980.
7. Ricks, Christopher. The Force of Poetry. Oxford University Press, 1984.
8. Wilt, Judith. Cinderella in America: A Book of Folk and Fairy Tales. Utah State University Press, 2007.