Justice

The theme of justice is significant in this story. It is first seen with the three letters sent by the thief, wanting justice for Johannes Vermeer. This desire for justice was then expressed by the main characters as they searched for The Lady Writing - both to save her and to vindicate Ms. Hussey and Mrs. Sharpe. The three who received the letters from the thief also desired justice but were unsure of how to go about protecting Vermeer's work as well as themselves. The thief encouraged a sense of justice by stealing The Lady Writing and sending letters to the paper demanding the public protect Vermeer's name by learning the truth about his work. This led a worldwide interest in the protection and creation of art.

Justice is a universal theme. All cultures have some sort of understanding of justice, although the definition of justice and how...