Legally Gothic: The Portrayal of the Victorian Judicial System in Gaslamp Horror

The Victorian era saw the Industrial Revolution reach its zenith, bringing about rapid urbanisation, technological advancements, and significant social changes. The period also saw significant legal reforms. The establishment of professional police forces, the development of modern forensic science, and changes in the judicial system reflected an evolving approach to law and order. However, the period was also characterised by harsh penalties and public spectacles of justice, such as public executions, which often served as grim inspirations for horror stories.

The legal system during this time was seen as both a bastion of order and a source of injustice. High-profile trials and miscarriages of justice highlighted the flaws in the legal system, providing rich material for authors who wished to critique societal norms through their work.

An intriguing aspect of Gaslamp Horror is its portrayal of the judicial system. Courts and the judiciary, symbols of societal order and justice, are often depicted in these stories as arenas where the natural and supernatural collide. This intersection raises profound questions about the nature of justice, the fallibility of human institutions, and the often unseen forces that shape our destinies. In Gaslamp Horror, courtrooms are not merely places of legal arbitration but are transformed into stages for moral and existential drama.

We will now journey through the haunted halls of Victorian courts, uncovering stories where the rule of law meets the uncanny. Along the way, we will analyse how authors use judicial settings to enhance their narratives, provide social commentary, and evoke fear.

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Order in the Court

The courtrooms and judicial systems of these eras were often depicted in literature as places where societal tensions and fears came to the fore. Authors used these settings to explore themes of justice, morality, and the supernatural. 

Typically a symbol of rationality and order, the courtroom often stands in stark contrast to the irrational and chaotic nature of the supernatural. Courtrooms in Gaslamp Horror represented authority and judgement but were also depicted as places where the supernatural intrudes upon the rational world. This juxtaposition underscores the era’s anxieties about science, progress, and the unknown.

Judges in these stories often embody the moral and ethical dilemmas of the time. They can be depicted as wise and just or corrupt and malevolent, reflecting the complexities of the legal system and societal norms.

The theme of corruption within the judiciary is common. Judges, lawyers, and other officials are sometimes depicted as corrupt or influenced by dark forces, reflecting societal fears of unchecked power and the potential for misuse of authority. This is a reflection of real-world legal systems and their susceptibility to corruption.

In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the courtroom scenes serve as pivotal moments in the narrative, highlighting themes of justice, responsibility, and the consequences of scientific ambition.

One significant courtroom scene occurs when Justine Moritz is falsely accused and convicted of the murder of William Frankenstein. Justine's trial exemplifies the theme of injustice and the arbitrary nature of legal proceedings. Despite her innocence, Justine is condemned due to circumstantial evidence and societal prejudices against her lower social status. This injustice reflects the broader theme of societal rejection and the consequences of Victor Frankenstein's reckless actions.

Victor Frankenstein's arrest and subsequent release symbolise his moral and emotional journey, highlighting themes of guilt and responsibility. Victor's arrest occurs after the death of his friend Henry Clerval, which is attributed to the Monster. Although Victor knows the Monster is responsible, he remains silent, consumed by guilt and shame. His arrest represents the consequences of his actions and his inability to confront the truth. Victor's refusal to acknowledge his role in Henry's death reflects his ongoing internal conflict.

While imprisoned, Victor grapples with his conscience and the weight of his guilt. His incarceration becomes a metaphor for his psychological imprisonment, trapped by his own secrets and regrets. Victor's isolation mirrors the Monster's own loneliness and alienation, emphasising the parallel between creator and creation.

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The Trial for Murder by Charles Dickens is a short story that intertwines themes of supernatural horror with the judicial system. This story presents a vivid portrayal of a court trial, heavily influenced by supernatural elements.

The story follows an unnamed narrator who is a juror in a murder trial. He begins to experience supernatural occurrences linked to the murder victim, such as seeing the ghost of the murdered man and feeling his presence in the courtroom. These spectral visitations seem to guide the juror's perceptions and influence the trial's outcome.

The setting of the courtroom is depicted with a strong sense of formality and rigidity. The proceedings are governed by strict protocols and a clear hierarchy, with the judge, jury, lawyers, and witnesses all playing defined roles. Dickens highlights the solemn and often intimidating atmosphere of the courtroom, which serves to underscore the gravity of the judicial process.

The story emphasises the crucial role of the jury in determining the outcome of the trial. Dickens portrays the juror's internal conflict and the weight of responsibility borne by those tasked with delivering a verdict.

The supernatural elements that influence the narrator raise questions about the integrity and impartiality of the jury. The ghost's presence suggests that unseen forces can sway the jury, casting doubt on the reliability of human judgment as Dickens implies that unseen and irrational forces can impact decisions that are meant to be based on reason and evidence.

The story raises moral and ethical questions about the nature of justice. The ghost's interventions suggest that true justice might lie beyond the reach of the formal legal system, prompting readers to consider the limitations of human institutions in delivering fair outcomes.

By incorporating supernatural elements into the courtroom setting, Dickens evokes a sense of uncertainty. This atmosphere reflects the anxieties and doubts that can permeate legal proceedings, especially when life-and-death decisions are at stake.

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The Dead Hand by Wilkie Collins is a short story that delves into themes of justice, retribution, and the supernatural, offering a nuanced representation of the judicial system.

The story revolves around Mr. Arthur Holliday, a young man who finds himself in a peculiar situation involving a haunted room. Arthur takes refuge in an inn and stays in a room rumoured to be haunted by the hand of a deceased man. The hand is said to belong to a judge who sentenced an innocent man to death. Arthur experiences a series of eerie and unsettling events related to this spectral hand, which symbolises the lingering impact of an unjust legal decision.

Collins' story highlights the fallibility of the judicial system through the figure of the unjust judge. The narrative suggests that even those in positions of legal authority can make grievous errors, leading to irreversible consequences such as the wrongful execution of an innocent person.

The spectral hand symbolises the enduring guilt and the quest for justice beyond the grave, implying that the formal legal system can fail to deliver true justice.

The presence of the ghostly hand represents supernatural retribution for judicial mistakes. The haunting serves as a metaphor for the idea that moral and ethical wrongs, particularly those committed within the judicial system, cannot be entirely hidden or ignored; they have a way of manifesting and seeking redress.

The story also delves into the psychological impact of the judicial system on individuals, particularly those who suffer from its injustices. The haunting serves to remind readers of the personal and societal ramifications of judicial errors, emphasising the weighty responsibility borne by those who administer justice.

Through the haunting figure of the spectral hand, Collins highlights the enduring impact of judicial errors. The story is a poignant reminder of the moral responsibilities of those who administer justice and the potential consequences of their decisions.

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The use of gothic elements within judicial settings such as dark, imposing courtrooms, ominous judges, and eerie proceedings creates a sense of dread and suspense. This atmosphere underscores the pervasive fear of the unknown and the unseen forces that influence human affairs.

The Judge's House by Bram Stoker is a classic horror story set in a large old house that intertwines themes of justice, retribution, and the supernatural, presenting a vivid representation of the judicial system through its chilling narrative.

The story follows a student named Malcolm Malcolmson who seeks a quiet place to study for his exams and rents an old, desolate house in a small town. The house, known as the Judge's House, has a sinister reputation. Malcolmson is initially undeterred by the locals' warnings about the house's haunted history. As he settles in, he experiences a series of terrifying encounters with a malevolent ghost - a former judge who used to reside in the house. The judge is notorious for his harsh and unyielding verdicts, and his ghost continues to haunt the house, symbolising his ruthless and unrelenting nature even after death.

The judge in the story represents the archetype of judicial authority - stern, authoritative, and unyielding. This portrayal highlights the immense power wielded by judges and the impact of their decisions on people's lives.

The judge's ghost, with its imposing and terrifying presence, represents the lingering influence of his judicial authority. Even in death, the judge's power continues to exert control over the living, reflecting the lasting effects of judicial decisions.

The judge is depicted as a figure of extreme harshness and inflexibility, embodying the darker side of the judicial system. His reputation for delivering severe sentences without compassion or leniency is a central aspect of his character. This harshness is mirrored in the supernatural elements of the story. The ghost's malevolent actions toward Malcolmson can be seen as an extension of the judge's uncompromising nature, suggesting that his rigidity and severity persist beyond the grave.

The haunting in The Judge's House serves as a form of supernatural retribution. The judge's spirit is bound to the house, seemingly condemned to continue his role as a punisher. This reflects a form of poetic justice, where the judge, who once delivered harsh judgments, is now himself trapped in a form of eternal punishment.

The story suggests that there is a higher form of justice at work, one that goes beyond human legal systems. The judge's ghost can be seen as the idea that those who misuse their judicial power may face consequences that transcend the mortal realm.

Malcolmson, the protagonist, is an innocent victim who suffers due to the malevolent spirit of the judge. This aspect of the story highlights the potential for innocent people to be caught in the crossfire of judicial authority and its abuses. The psychological and physical torment Malcolmson endures reflects the broader theme of how judicial power can have far-reaching and unintended effects on individuals.

The story critiques the potential for abuse within the judicial system. The judge's harshness and lack of compassion are portrayed as forms of corruption, where the pursuit of justice becomes twisted into cruelty. It explores the relationship between fear and authority. The judge's ghost instils fear in Malcolmson, reflecting the broader theme of how authority figures can use fear to maintain control and power.

Closing Arguments

In Victorian society, the judicial system was often skewed by class disparities, affecting the middle and working classes in different ways. We have examined stories that illuminate these differences through their narratives, reflecting the social and judicial inequities of the time.

Class and power dynamics are often used in Gaslamp Horror to critique social hierarchies. Trials can expose the biases and prejudices inherent in the system, showing how the wealthy and powerful manipulate the law to their advantage, while the poor and marginalised suffer unjustly.

The middle class typically had better access to legal resources and representation, and an understanding of their legal rights, navigating the judicial system effectively. On the other hand, the working class had limited access to legal resources and representation. They often could not afford lawyers and lacked the education to understand complex legal processes.

Consequently, the working class often received harsher sentences and were more likely to be convicted of crimes. The judicial system was biased against them, and they were frequently exploited by those in power. Literature from the era often depicts working-class characters as victims of a corrupt or indifferent judicial system, emphasising the need for compassion and reform. 

The working class faced significant social marginalisation. Their lack of influence meant that their grievances were often ignored, and they had little recourse against judicial or societal injustices. The stories can portray working-class characters as enduring great hardships, reflecting the broader societal attitudes and the often brutal realities of Victorian life.

The interaction between middle and working-class characters in these stories often highlights class tensions and the inherent inequities of the judicial system. The fear and anxiety experienced by all characters in these narratives can reflect their awareness of the precariousness of their social position and the potential consequences of the judicial system turning against them.

The representation of the judicial system in Victorian literature, particularly in the context of Gaslamp Horror, illuminates the stark differences in how the middle and working classes experienced justice. The middle class, with their better access to resources and social influence, still faced moral scrutiny, while the working class endured harsher realities and systemic biases. These narratives underscore the need for judicial reform, reflecting broader societal concerns and the desire for justice that transcends class boundaries.