# Justice and Morality in The Eight Strokes of the Clock

> Theme guide for The Eight Strokes of the Clock by Maurice Leblanc.

Rénine acts as a moral arbiter, intervening to prevent crimes, rescue victims, and restore justice outside the bounds of official law, often using unconventional or morally ambiguous methods to protect the innocent.

## Where it surfaces

- [I: On the Top of the Tower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/i-on-the-top-of-the-tower): Rénine enforces a moral restitution by forcing the count to sign over Hortense's fortune, while choosing not to involve the police.
- [The Water-Bottle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/ii-the-water-bottle): The central conflict revolves around the potential execution of an innocent man, questioning the justice system's infallibility.
- [V: Thérèse and Germaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/v-th-r-se-and-germaine): Rénine seeks to uncover the truth and protect the innocent children, balancing legal justice with moral responsibility.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/themes/justice_and_morality
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/themes