Two Years Before the Mast · Theme
Justice and Cruelty
How Two Years Before the Mast develops Justice and Cruelty.
Dana examines the lack of legal protection for sailors, the prevalence of cruel punishments like flogging, and the arbitrary nature of justice on ship and on the lawless California coast, calling for gradual reform.
Where it surfaces
- VII
The convicts are kept in caves, guarded by soldiers, and forced to work under taskmasters with rods, illustrating harsh penal practices.
- XV
The floggings are arbitrary and cruel, with the captain flogging for personal satisfaction, prompting the narrator's vow to seek redress.
- XVII
The flogging of Foster and the captain's harsh treatment of the crew highlight the cruelty and injustice aboard the ship.
- XXI
The chapter contrasts the swift, harsh punishment of Indians with the impunity of Spanish murderers, highlighting the arbitrary and racially biased nature of justice in California.
- XXVII
The boxing match serves as a form of rough justice, where the bully is defeated and the oppressed boy gains his freedom and respect.
- Concluding Chapter
Dana critiques the judicial system's unfair treatment of sailors, where captains' good character on shore is used to mitigate punishment for cruelty at sea.