An Eye for an Eye Big Blue Book no. B-24

"An Eye for an Eye" by Clarence Darrow is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Hank Clery, a switchman in Chicago who visits his old friend, Jim Jackson, in jail as he faces execution for the murder of his wife. Through Hank’s perspective, the narrative explores themes of social justice, poverty, and the circumstances that lead individuals to crime. At the start of the novel, Hank is on his way to the county jail, filled with nervousness and apprehension about visiting Jim, who is set to be hanged for the murder of his wife. Despite his previous association with Jim as a loyal friend, Hank grapples with the reality of Jim's crime, reflecting on their shared past. Once at the jail, Hank encounters a cruel and indifferent system, observing families waiting in despair to see their loved ones, all while he prepares to support Jim in his final moments. The opening effectively sets the stage for a deeper exploration of guilt, morality, and the socio-economic forces that shape human behavior. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Clarence Seward Darrow was an American lawyer who became famous in the 19th century for high profile representations of trade union causes, and in the 20th century for several criminal matters, including the Leopold and Loeb murder trial, the Scopes "monkey" trial, and the Ossian Sweet defense. He was a leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union and a prominent advocate for Georgist economic reform. Darrow was also well known as a public speaker, debater, and writer.