DannySwottem5:
If I read a tale in which a goody-goody schoolboy gets punished in error whilst the real culprit, a mischievous little scallywag gets off scot free, it really does bring a smile to my face.
Then you should check out STRIPES.
Actually I tend to use unfairness quite a bit, but in several different contexts. If someone is "undercover" in a drama, that person may have to endure punishment for the good of the mission. FALLS CREEK WOMEN'S PRISON is an example. So is MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. Also sometimes one character may have to "cover" for another as in ANNE OF WULFSTEDT. Sometimes a noble act brings unfair punishment as in A PRINCESS OF VERNONIA. Finally someone can be the victim of a set-up as in FRIDAY DETENTION.
As I think about it, I have a lot more examples of this but I'll leave it to readers who may be interested to ask me. Just shoot me a pop-up.