The Legal System Theme in Caleb Williams

Over the course of the novel, it becomes clear that the law does not align with morality in late-18th-century English society. According to the understanding of morality that the protagonist and narrator Caleb Williams presents, goodness should be rewarded, and evil should be punished. However, in Caleb’s world, the wealthy and powerful determine what’s right and what’s wrong, regardless of ethics. As a result, the legal definitions of innocence and guilt differ vastly from the moral definitions of innocence and guilt. For example, for many years the rich aristocrat Ferdinando Falkland is deemed not guilty of Barnabas Tyrrel’s murder by law even though he did commit the murder. Meanwhile, Benjamin Hawkins, a poor farmer, is found guilty of Tyrrel’s murder and executed for the crime despite being innocent. Caleb himself faces the law’s disregard for true innocence and guilt when he tries to accuse Falkland of murder before a magistrate for the first time. The magistrate, who serves as the arbiter of the law, disbelieves Caleb simply because of his low social status. Thus, the novel demonstrates how the law dismisses truth and justice in favor of protecting the wealthy and subjugating the poor.

Furthermore, Caleb Williams paints a vivid picture of the cruel injustice that the late-18th-century British legal system inflicts on people by illustrating the horrid conditions of prisons and the wrongful condemnation of innocent citizens. The suffering Caleb endures while he’s in jail exemplifies the harm that the law in his society commits, especially against members of the lower classes. Ultimately, the novel criticizes society’s corruption for enabling the law to become so divorced from morality that the law itself—in its failures and misapplications—is immoral.

The Legal System ThemeTracker

The ThemeTracker below shows where, and to what degree, the theme of The Legal System appears in each chapter of Caleb Williams. Click or tap on any chapter to read its Summary & Analysis.

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Chapter

The Legal System Quotes in Caleb Williams

Below you will find the important quotes in Caleb Williams related to the theme of The Legal System.

I hope there is some law for rich folk, as well as for poor ones.

Related Characters: Benjamin Hawkins (speaker), Leonard Hawkins, Barnabas Tyrrel

Page Number and Citation: 41

Explanation and Analysis:

Benjamin Hawkins stands up to his landlord, Tyrrel, by refusing to give up his 17-year-old son Leonard to Tyrrel’s service. In response, Tyrrel furiously threatens Hawkins, but Hawkins isn’t intimidated into submission. He declares, “I hope there is some law for rich folk, as well as for poor ones,” insinuating that Tyrrel shouldn’t consider himself above the law and that abusing a tenant should be illegal regardless of Tyrrel’s wealth and high social status. Importantly, Hawkins highlights the discrepancy between how the law treats “rich folk” and how it treats “poor ones.” His implication is that common people are governed Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Dele

[…] nobody is punished for doing what is right.

Nobody ought, my dear child. But there are very wicked and tyrannical men in the world.

Related Characters: Emily Melvile (speaker), Mrs. Jakeman (speaker), Barnabas Tyrrel, Grimes

Page Number and Citation: 60

Explanation and Analysis:

In this conversation between Emily Melvile and her governess, Mrs. Jakeman, Emily expresses her confusion and frustration with her cousin Tyrrel. She earnestly believes that she has done nothing wrong by refusing to marry Grimes as Tyrrel commanded her to do because she believes she should be able to choose her own husband. From Emily’s perspective, since she has done nothing wrong, it makes no sense for Tyrrel to punish her because “nobody is punished for doing what is right.” Emily’s understanding of right and wrong is simple: good should be rewarded, and only evil should be punished. Mrs. Jakeman Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus qu

The law justifies it.—What do you think laws were made for?—I do nothing but right, and my rights I will have.

Related Characters: Barnabas Tyrrel (speaker), Emily Melvile

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 79

Explanation and Analysis:

After Emily Melvile escapes from her cousin Tyrrel’s oppressive control, Tyrrel arranges for her to be arrested for debt. At first, his steward protests that the arrest is unlawful because Emily is underage, has always lived under Tyrrel’s protection, and owes nothing. However, Tyrrel angrily insists that the “law justifies” his decision and demands, “What do you think laws were made for?” Tyrrel blatantly admits that he views the law as a tool he can use to achieve whatever he desires. In other words, as a wealthy, aristocratic man, he believes that laws were made to carry out his will. Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore

Nothing is more to be deplored in human institutions than that the forms of justice should thus subject a man, of whose innocence every one was convinced, to a species of purgation to which the ideas of mankind have annexed a sentiment of disgrace.

Related Characters: Mr. Collins (speaker), Ferdinando Falkland, Leonard Hawkins, Benjamin Hawkins, Barnabas Tyrrel, Caleb Williams

Page Number and Citation: 99

Explanation and Analysis:

As Mr. Collins finishes telling Caleb the long story of Falkland’s history, he ends by recounting how Falkland was declared innocent of Barnabas Tyrrel’s murder. Even though Falkland was cleared of suspicion in court, he still found it shameful that he had to publicly defend himself in the first place. To explain Falkland’s feelings, Mr. Collins says that nothing is more deplorable than “the forms of justice”—in this case, the legal system—forcing an innocent man to undergo such a disgraceful ordeal as defending himself against a criminal accusation. Even the mere suggestion of guilt is offensive to an innocent person, Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore labo

Fellow servants! Mr Falkland is a man of rank and fortune; he is your master. I am a poor country lad without a friend in the world. That is a ground of real difference to a certain extent; but it is not a sufficient ground for the subversion of justice.

Related Characters: Caleb Williams (speaker), Ferdinando Falkland

Page Number and Citation: 165

Explanation and Analysis:

After being accused of stealing from Falkland, Caleb defends himself to his “fellow servants.” He entreats them to believe he’s innocent and to not take Falkland’s side in this case simply because Falkland has the higher status. He acknowledges that Falkland, “a man of rank and fortune,” is their “master,” while Caleb is only a “poor country lad without a friend in the world.” Caleb is aware of this “real difference” between his and Falkland’s positions in society, which puts him at a severe disadvantage. However, Caleb still looks for sympathy from Falkland’s other servants because he believes they understand Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. H

For myself I looked round upon my walls, and forward upon the premature death I had too much reason to expect; I consulted my own heart that whispered nothing but innocence; and I said, This is society. This is the object, the distribution of justice, which is the end of human reason.

Related Characters: Caleb Williams (speaker), Ferdinando Falkland

Page Number and Citation: 175–176

Explanation and Analysis:

During the early days of his imprisonment in the county jail, Caleb becomes increasingly discontented with his corrupt society. He has done nothing wrong—his “own heart […] whispered nothing but innocence”—and yet he’s being punished inhumanely for a crime he didn’t even commit. (He was wrongly accused of stealing from Falkland.) Confined in isolation and squalor, he has nothing to look forward to except “the premature death [he has] too much reason to expect.” Caleb’s situation is cruel and unjust. The legal system has little concern for whether or not he’s actually guilty; instead, it abuses him regardless, on the Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum.

Zounds, how I have been choused! They told me what a fine thing it was to be an Englishman, and about liberty and property, and all that there; and I find it is all a flam.

Related Characters: Thomas (speaker), Caleb Williams

Page Number and Citation: 195

Explanation and Analysis:

When Thomas, one of Falkland’s servants, sees how Caleb is suffering in prison, he’s horrified by the law’s cruelty. He feels betrayed by his country, and he exclaims that he’s been “choused,” or deceived. Thomas has been told “what a fine thing it was to be an Englishman,” but he doesn’t have any pride in being part of a society that mistreats and subjugates some of its own members. His countrymen boast “about liberty and property” as a source of national pride, but Thomas comes face to face with the reality that not all Englishmen are allowed to be free—especially Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit nequ

Oh, God! give me poverty! shower upon me all the imaginary hardships of human life! I will receive them all with thankfulness. Turn me a prey to the wild beasts of the desert, so I be never again the victim of man dressed in the gore-dripping robes of authority!

Related Characters: Caleb Williams (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 203

Explanation and Analysis:

Once Caleb has escaped from prison, he relishes his freedom. As he wanders away from towns into open country and forest, he begs God, “Turn me a prey to the wild beasts of the desert, so I be never again the victim of man.” In other words, Caleb would rather survive in the wilderness than suffer persecution in civilization. He believes that “wild beasts” are less violent and cruel than men who wear “gore-dripping robes of authority.” This gruesome image vividly conveys the tangible harm that Caleb has seen and suffered as people in power inflict their will on commonfolk. Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam cons

We undertake to counteract the partiality and iniquity of public institutions. We, who are thieves without a licence, are at open war with another set of men, who are thieves according to law […] we act not by choice, but only as our wise governors force us to act.

Related Characters: Mr. Raymond (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 209

Explanation and Analysis:

In this speech, Raymond (the captain of a band of thieves) explains his philosophy of resistance against the English government. He believes that “public institutions” are fundamentally biased and unjust, and that people ought to oppose them. To fight against society’s injustices, Raymond has turned to crime. He justifies his choice by arguing that it’s not morally wrong for him to steal from people who are themselves thieves. Stating that the men in power are “thieves according to law,” he accuses the aristocracy of exploiting the common people and abusing the law to protect their own wealth and authority. From Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi ear

Who ever thinks, when he is apprehended for trial, of his innocence or guilt as being at all material to the issue?

Related Characters: Mr. Raymond (speaker), Caleb Williams

Page Number and Citation: 216

Explanation and Analysis:

While Caleb is living with Raymond’s band of thieves, he often speaks with Raymond about their differing philosophies and their shared loathing of societal injustices. During this particular conversation, Raymond describes the corruption of the legal system. He asks, “Who ever thinks, when he is apprehended for trial, of his innocence or guilt as being at all material to the issue?” This rhetorical question bluntly reveals that English courts at the time the novel takes place have no regard for whether people are truly innocent or guilty. Instead, they readily absolve the wealthy and powerful from fault, while they condemn Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus c

Oppressed, annihilated I might be; but, if I died, I would die resisting. What use, what advantage, what pleasurable sentiment could arise from a tame surrender? There is no man that is ignorant, that to humble yourself at the feet of the law is a bootless task; in her courts there is no room for amendment and reformation.

Related Characters: Caleb Williams (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 266

Explanation and Analysis:

While imprisoned for a second time, Caleb develops a rebellious attitude against tyranny, fueled by his passionate hatred of society’s corruption. He declares, “if I died, I would die resisting.” Caleb has never before expressed his desire to oppose tyranny so strongly. His blunt, direct words convey his renewed commitment to defying cruel and oppressive control. Even though he’s “oppressed” and “annihilated,” he has no wish to offer up “a tame surrender” to his persecutors. There would be no “use,” “advantage,” or “pleasurable sentiment” in bowing down to the people and institutions that are subjugating him. After all the suffering Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro pe

The Legal System Theme Analysis

The Legal System ThemeTracker

The Legal System Quotes in Caleb Williams

Volume 1, Chapter 6 Quotes

Volume 1, Chapter 8 Quotes

Volume 1, Chapter 10 Quotes

Volume 1, Chapter 12 Quotes

Volume 2, Chapter 10 Quotes

Volume 2, Chapter 11 Quotes

Volume 2, Chapter 14 Quotes

Volume 3, Chapter 1 Quotes

Volume 3, Chapter 2 Quotes

Volume 3, Chapter 3 Quotes

Volume 3, Chapter 11 Quotes