Programming Quote by Eleanor Catton
““ 'But - again - to conclude,' Nilssen said. 'After the whore is throattled, after the digger's rage is spent. Surely the civil law then returns to condemn this man? Surely he's punished justly - in the end?' 'Not if his fellows rally round him, to preserve his digger's rights,' Shepard replied. 'No man holds to any code as strong as he does when his code's affronted, Mr. Nilssen, and there's nothing more brutal than a gang of angry men. I've been a gaoler sixteen years.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Luminaries, Eleanor Catton, 2013
A character questions whether law will punish a man, but acknowledges that collective action can protect him, highlighting the tension between justice and solidarity.
In simple terms: Law may not punish if allies protect.
Key Takeaway
Consider how group support can override formal justice.
Themes
justice
solidarity
law
power
collective action
Mood
tense
reflective
Type
dialogue
literary
When to use this quote
- court trials
- political protests
- community defense
- prison life
Key Concepts
legal theory
social dynamics
moral conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the limits of legal authority when faced with collective pressure?
- When does solidarity become complicity?
A Different Perspective
Group loyalty can undermine impartial law enforcement.
