Leon, Donna: *1942

Uniform Justice, 2003 - Thematic Parallels: Corruption

Corruption is the abuse of power for personal gain. It happens when people in positions of authority use their power in dishonest or unfair ways to benefit themselves at the expense of the public good.
Leon, Donna: Uniform Justice, 2003, ~300pp
The novel is very philosophical, examining how chance and randomness shape human existence, the illusion of free will, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
The following books are thematically simliar. These texts lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Harris, Robert: Imperium, 2006, ~400pp
  A historical novel, which involves political intrigue and corruption in Roman times.
  - Despite their differences in time and setting, both novels are preoccupied with corruption, compromised justice, and the struggle of principled individuals navigating institutions built to favor the powerful.
- Moore, Brian: Lies of Silence, 1990, ~210pp
  A novel involving themes around political corruption or social unrest.
  - In both novels, institutions designed to uphold justice are shown as deeply flawed and morally compromised. They explore the tension between personal conscience and societal/political forces. Each novel is a social critique, using the crime/mystery framework to expose larger societal failures.
- Orwell, George: Animal Farm, 1954, ~90pp
  A novella that allegorizes corruption and power abuse in political systems.
  - Both novels critique how institutions—whether governments, armies, or revolutionary movements—protect themselves, manipulate truth, and betray ordinary members of society. They highlight the fragility of justice when power is unchecked.
- Orwell, George: Nineteen Eighty-Four, 1949, ~320pp
  A novel about totalitarian control and political corruption.
  - Both novels share a preoccupation with power, corruption, and the difficulty of resisting unjust systems. They show that institutions can warp truth and obstruct justice, leaving individuals frustrated, silenced, or defeated.
List of general discussion questions on Corruption (pdf)
List of essay prompts on Corruption (pdf)