RALPH MAGLAPAY 12-STEM B

JUSTICE
By: Ralph Semino Galan

1. Why are symbols important in a poem? Explain what some of the symbols mean,
and how they add to the meaning of the poem?
A symbol represses or represent a idea or quality and it is important in the poem
because it helps us to sharpen our mind and widens our understanding. “Blindfold” is one of
the symbol in the poem that represent the people or groups treat equally, “Golden pair of
scale” represents as weighting the testimony fair or reasonable for both parties, “Double-
edged sword” represent the breaker of the wall of lies to show the truth, and the “Thoth’s
feather of truth” determines the accused if his/her life is worth it to save. This was used in
the poem to shorten long words, but the meaning stays. This can help us to comprehend
deeply meanings.

2. Why are symbols important in the life of a nation? What do people get from the symbols
of a nation?
Through symbols we can represent the nations identity. For example a Falcon can
represent the progressive countries (at the top countries), and a cow for unprogressive
countries (lower countries). Symbols serve as the representation of what characteristic or to
have an idea on what kind of nation is them.

3. Why does the poem describe the Philippines as “my uncertain country”?
The Philippines is described as “My Uncertain Country” in the poem Justice because the
justice in the Philippines is easy to manipulate. For an example, if a accused is richer than the
victim, they would have power to change the court real order or they can clear their name/
record easily.

4. What does the simile, “right and wrong can be shuffled like cards” mean? What does
this mean when it comes to any of the following: politics and politicians, the police and the
justice system?
For me, the simile “right and wrong can be shuffled like cards” represent the mixing of
truth and lies. When it comes to politics and politicians, high power can control the justice.
Police and the justice systems, just like the politics and politician, the position can
manipulate the justice. This just like an upside down judgment that the truth can be lies and
the lies can be truth.

5. Justice in the Philippines has an unequal treatment for the people unlike other country
where fairness and equality of justice prevails.
Justice in the Philippines is easy to manipulate unlike the other country. The rules/ laws
in the Philippines is not just strong like in the other countries so that’s why many officials are
brave to abuse the power given to them.

6. Of all the objects that Justice owns, which one do you think is the most important?
Why?
I think the most important symbol on the poem Justice is the “blindfold” because
among all the symbols, this is the one that can describe them all. Were not the same at all,
so by covering the eyes whether you are a rich or a poor, a boy or girl, officials and ordinary
individual, we must treat everyone fairly because in the eyes of God were all the same. God
can treat us equally so why would we can’t do that also.
7. Why does Justitia look like she is fading in the painting?
Justitia looks like fading in the painting and it can represent the justice system in our and
other countries. As we can see in the justice we have right now, the equality in the
Philippines is already started to disappear. Just like the wheel that represent the upside
down of decisions where the truth become the lies and the lies become the truth.

8. Why is money mentioned in the poem?

The poem talks about the justice and, the word money mentioned. Money can do
everything. Money represent the power. It also plays a big role in the justice systems where it
can manipulate the justice or the record of an individual.

9. Why was it important for the Chief Justice to be impeached? What is the message for
Filipino government officials?
A chief justice is positioned to be the leader and to influence good behavior to others.
As long as there were evidences that he/she was prone to corruption, a chief justice needs to
be impeached because his/her stealing of money or corruption needs to be stop. This
messages the Filipino officials to follow the rules, to be honest and reminding them to don’t
abuse the powers they have.

10. Why does the Chief Justice have to “face the music of derision”? Is he derided, not only
for his crime, but because he was caught?
The chief justice must face the music of derision because to fairly justice and it is the
effect/ result of what he/she do. As long as there were evidences that he/she violated the
rules, the chief justice must face the consequences of abusing the power.