Discussion Topic
Analysis of the title and theme in Graham Greene's "The Case for the Defence"
Summary:
The title "The Case for the Defence" reflects the story's focus on the judicial process and the theme of justice versus injustice. The narrative explores how the defense manipulates evidence and witnesses to create reasonable doubt, ultimately leading to an acquittal that raises questions about the morality and effectiveness of the legal system.
What is the theme of Graham Greene's story "The Case for the Defence"?
One possible theme of the story is the inadequacy of merely human justice. Despite a lengthy trial, and despite the killing of one of the twins, justice has still not been served. Neither a formal legal trial in a court of law nor an act of vigilantism has been able to provide satisfaction for anyone in this whole sorry business.
Mrs. Salmon won't be able to sleep soundly in her bed for one of two reasons. She may have been the one who pushed the twin into the oncoming traffic, humiliated as she was by her cross-examination on the witness stand, and yet now finds herself wracked by guilt. Or, she could be scared stiff that the killer or his twin brother will come to take revenge on her. Whatever the reason for Mrs. Salmon's imminent unease, there's no doubt that she, like the original murder victim, has been short-changed...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
and victimized by human justice, however broadly one defines it.
In my opinion, there are various themes that you might find in this story. I will discuss what I think is the most important theme.
I think that this story is about how far evil people will go to accomplish their goals and how "civilized" society is helpless in the face of such tactics. Evil overcomes good. You can see that in this story because the civilized people are completely unable to do anything to the Adams twins. They only punish the twins by reverting to savagery themselves.
Even after they do this, the author implies that the witnesses (who tried to act in a civilized way) will be in mortal danger from the surviving twin.
Justify the title of "The Case for the Defence" by Graham Greene.
I would argue that this title is appropriate because the whole story centers around the strategy that the defense has for getting away with the crime.
At first, the story is pretty straight forward. A crime has been committed and the criminal caught. This is not very interesting. But then we see what the case for the defense is. It is very unusual and interesting. So the story is named after its most interesting aspect.
I would also argue that this title is an ironic comment. Usually, the phrase suggests a moral case -- an argument for why the defendant is not guilty. Here, it is used much more cynically -- it is simply a ploy to literally get away with murder.