The Inter-Relation Of Social And Divine Justice

The notion of the word, "Justice," conjures up varied and widespread notions for various individuals, all of whom have had different experiences that have led to their understanding of the world. But just as all people have slightly different views on what justice is, there remains a central idea to it all. In much the same way, the two stories; "Paradise Lost," as an epic journey, and "The Narrative of Olaudah Equiano," as a type of travel narrative, share many similarities as well as differences on what it means to be in a justice like state of being. Within the genre of "justice," there seem to be two distinct versions: social justice and divine justice.

In both Equiano's narrative and Milton's Paradise Lost, the bifurcation of opposing races brings about the possibility for justice. First and foremost I found that the difference between the races in each story held what at first appeared to be a clear and concise division. In "Paradise Lost" there are the fallen angels and demons against God and those who chose to stay righteous. Yet In Olaudah Equiano there exists the division between Anglo-Saxons and slaves. While this may seem to be a clear difference between the two pieces, I found, upon further inspection that they do in fact share a common bond. In "Paradise Lost" there is the recurring motif of light versus Darkness and in a way this motif can be transposed onto the Narrative of Equiano as the whites versus the "dark" slaves. Equiano makes a point in his narrative to "place his religious concerns at the center of his work...his narrative is [in fact] related more to his spiritual freedom than his physical freedom" (Galenet). It is interesting that Equiano "wants his readers to believe that he was able to find...an avenue for regaining the power, valor, honor, and respect, in short the humanity of which he had been robbed with is abduction into slavery" (Galenet). It is hard to imagine that, while Equiano is obviously angry at the "pro-slavery camp," he finds it within himself and his faith to show that through the grace of god he was granted a divine reprieve and in so much as he was freed spiritually from his oppression he was also granted social justice in that he was able to purchase his freedom (Galenet). His situation thus becomes "just" and in a way it could be seen that his enslavement was necessary to break him of his sinful nature and accept God. This supposed conflict of interest in dealing with necessary loss in order to gain higher justice is also evident in Milton's "Paradise Lost" in dealing with the theme of "the fortunate fall."

The theme of "the fortunate fall" in Paradise Lost in that, though man is condemned by original sin, it is actually this sin which allows man / woman to show their diligence and right to freedom through faith. In Book 12 lines 575-587 of Paradise Lost, Michael speaks to Adam as he and Eve are preparing to leave paradise and offers them hope in as much as stating:

"This having learnt, thou hast attained the sum Of Wisdom; hope no higher, though all the stars Thou knew'st by name, and all th'ethereal powers, All secrets of the deep, all nature's works, Or works of God in heav'n, air, earth, or sea, And all the riches of this world enjoy'dst, And all the rule, one empire; only add Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, add faith, Add virtue, patience, temperance, add love, By name to come called charity, the soul Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loath To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess A paradise within thee, happier far.

Michael shows Adam in this passage that even though they have sinned and fallen from the grace of paradise, they are still loved by God and are able to possess a version of peace and paradise within themselves. Therefore paradise becomes not only a physical place of being but also a state of mind. This example of divine justice is a stark contrast to the world in which we live where social justice does not so love in spite of failure to live by the law. Therefore when seeking to compare divine justice and social justice, it suffices to state that divine justice is ultimately concerned with grace where as social justice is, at least from a Christian standpoint, a byproduct of divine justice

This forms a big similarity between the two stories and in itself forms a theme like bond from both passages; that if one keeps faith and constantly strives to do that which is right and just on ones own part, then in do time true and fair justice will return to oneself. I also found it interesting, in relation to divine orders of justice, that if one is to assume a Christian perspective in relation to Equiano's story, then it is through God's "just" creation that Equiano is born, in essence, in to slavery yet God is omniscient and knows that Equiano will be faithful and endure the struggle to one day be granted justice from original sin in both a physical way; the removal of oneself from slavery, as well as on a spiritual level; through perseverance he is able to overcome his prejudiced state. Contrasted with Paradise Lost, where divine justice is imparted so as to remove individuals from grace rather than invite them into a grace-like state. This is the case for two separate groups. In the case of Satan and his minions, divine justice serves by condemning these evil beings to eternal hell. Yet in relation to the fall of man, divine justice is exhibited in that, while Adam and Eve are removed from the Garden of Eden they are still able to retain the favor of God by living under the law of faith. Ultimately divine justice, unlike social justice, "is not arbitrary...it is not prejudiced... it can't be bribed or intimidated" (Christian Science Monitor). Once cannot

help but think that while Olaudah Equiano was enduring his slavery he might have sough comfort in the words of the Prophet Isaiah, "For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our King; it is he who will save us" (Isaiah