The Hoosier Schoolmaster · Theme
Morality and Justice
How The Hoosier Schoolmaster develops Morality and Justice.
The narrative contrasts genuine moral integrity (Ralph, Bud, Miss Nancy) with hypocrisy and corruption (Dr. Small, Pete Jones), and explores themes of theft, revenge, and the search for fairness in a lawless frontier setting.
Where it surfaces
- VII: Ominous Remarks of Mr. Jones
Ralph grapples with moral dilemmas about revealing the truth of the robbery, fearing the consequences and the weight of circumstantial evidence.
- VIII: The Struggle in the Dark
Ralph's internal battle between his desire for Hannah and his conscience, symbolized as a fight between the Image of God and the Image of the Devil.
- X: The Devil of Silence
Small's silent manipulation raises questions about justice, as he subtly frames Ralph for a crime without evidence.
- XI: Miss Martha Hawkins
Pearson's insistence on fighting thieves and his condemnation of Pete Jones and Bill Jones highlight themes of justice and moral outrage.
- XVI: The Church Militant
Bud's fight against Pete Jones is framed as a righteous act, serving both duty and love.
- XIX: Face to Face
Ralph's internal struggle with guilt and his solemn declaration of innocence highlight themes of moral integrity and justice.
- Pancakes
Ralph's moral stand for Shocky's mother is met with social and political caution, illustrating the conflict between personal ethics and societal expectations.
- A Charitable Institution
Ralph's moral outrage at the poorhouse conditions and the corruption of officials like Bill Jones underscores the theme of justice and the failure of those in power.
- A Letter and Its Consequences
The threatening letter and the Squire's reaction reveal a skewed sense of justice, where property is valued over human relationships and moral principles.
- A Loss and a Gain
Ralph's innocence is contrasted with the malignity of Dr. Small and Pete Jones's clique, and Hannah's belief in his goodness stands against false appearances.
- The Trial
The trial highlights the conflict between truth and perjury, and the struggle for justice against a corrupt system.
- XXXI: The Trial Concluded
The trial concludes with the truth coming out, leading to the arrest of the guilty and the exoneration of the innocent.
- XXXII: After the Battle
The chapter contrasts mob justice with legal proceedings, highlighting Ralph's moral stand against lynch law.
- Endnotes
The endnotes describe the 'crate' punishment for drunkards as a form of rude justice, and comment on the moral character of certain preachers.
