Justice in Louis Sachar’s Holes

Louis Sachar’s book Holes aims to address a number of issues concerning people and cultures in society. The topic of destiny and punishment is one of the most important topics. The ramifications of justice as one of the repercussions for deviancy are explicitly manifested in the novel. The aim of this paper is to explore the issue of justice as depicted in the novel Holes. The paper assesses the method by which the poet, Louis Sachar, expounds on justice and destiny in today’s society through the characters in the novel. The book efficiently illustrates the element of justice as an integral requirement in society by taking the reader through the life of the main protagonist, Stanley Yelnats, an individual fitting the description of every average teenager (Møllegaard 153). In spite of his innocence, Stanley is arrested for the pilferage of Sweet Feet’s shoes, which are on auction for charity. His naivety and trusting nature lead him to believe that the truth he tells can give him freedom and upon his trial, he is availed with two options: incarceration in jail as an adult or expulsion to Camp Green Lake, of which he chooses the latter. A strong sense of moral injustice falls upon Stanley, as he feels that it is wrong to be held responsible and punished for a crime he did not commit (Pinsent 205). The moral sentiments translate into empathy for his peers at the camp, particularly his close friend Zero. He shows his alignment to justice through his respect and courtesy to his peers and the officers at the juvenile institution in spite of the abuse and bullying he goes through while confined.

On a different note, Madame Zeroni, a gypsy, curses Elya for the promise he broke, which in itself is an informal form of justice. Elya’s negligence in keeping the promise to care for Madame Zeroni can be viewed as disregard to care for the elderly, an issue that is attributable to tradition in societies (Wannamaker 19). Tradition, in essence, plays a critical role in the establishment of justice systems, as it provides the moral guidelines upon which the society lives by. The curse on Elya and his descendants acts as a keen reminder of the importance of adhering to promises and caring for the wellbeing of others.

The book also addresses how justice is sometimes applicable in instigating social inequality. In review of the characters Kate and Sam, who are in love but are of different races in a racist society, the notions of justice from the perspective of the lovers is very different from that of the society (Pinsent 146). The community frowned upon mixed race relationships and this instigates Sam’s murder, a factor that completely changes Kate’s regard of justice. Upon Sam’s death, Kate orients to the opinion that justice relates more to punishment rather than acceptance, which results in her becoming an outlaw. She robs Stanley’s family of valuables, in a manner relatable to how the community robbed her of her life’s essence, by taking away her love. Kate buries this treasure near the Camp Green Lake and in spite of being captured and undergoing torture, she dies with the secret of the exact location of the treasure (Sachar 212). Later on, the warden of the juvenile detention center, who as it turns out is a descendant of one of the people responsible for Sam’s death, uses the juveniles in Camp Green Lake to orchestrate a search for the lost treasure, by making them dig deep holes in the area surrounding the dried up lake.

In this way, Louis Sachar succeeds at not only illustrating how society uses justice as a tool to condone vices such as racism and murder, but also how inability to speak out against these immoralities makes people react to the society in an adverse manner. The author also shows how people in positions of authority may misuse the justice system to their own benefit.

In the end, however, justice seems to serve its true cause through a pattern of cosmic fate. While Stanley’s ancestor, Elya broke his promise to Madame Zeroni, Stanley is able to rescue Madame Zeroni’s descendant, Zero, thereby redeeming both families from the curse upon them (Møllegaard 143). In addition, Stanley and Zero are able to find the suitcase with treasure that Kate had buried near Camp Green Lake, on which Stanley’s full name, which was the name of his great grandfather Stanley Yelnats is boldly inscribed. Even though the warden attempts to take the treasure from the two boys, a case by Stanley’s lawyer not only helps them retain the case but also gives them freedom from detention. Zero reunites with his mother and Stanley finds a true and lasting friendship with Zero.

Conclusion

‘Holes’ is a novel that provides a comprehensive insight into the different perspectives that society has regarding justice and how this can have a positive or negative impact on individuals. The static natures of formal justice, coupled with the volatile and dynamic approach to informal justice are key themes in this novel. In addition, Louis Sachar’s concept of justice being universal in the world is so significant in this book that it is actually perceivable as fate. In the end, the good characters get rewards and success while the antagonists get the punishment they deserve.

Works Cited

Møllegaard, K. “Haunting and History in Louis Sachar’s holes.” Western American Literature (2010): 138-161. Document.

Pinsent, Pat. “Fate and Fortune in a Modern Fairy Tale: Louis Sachar’s Holes.” Children’s Literature in Education 33.33 (2002): 203-212. Document.

Sachar, Louis. Holes. New York City: Random House Children’s Books, 2010. Print.

Wannamaker, A. “Reading in the gaps and lacks:(de) constructing masculinity in Louis Sachar’s Holes.” Children’s Literature in Education 37.1 (2006): 15-33. Document.