Ronald Cotton Analysis

Ronald Cotton and Jennifer Thompson should keep a strictly professional relationship.
After the release of Cotton, both Cotton and Thompson have appeared together on various interviews. It is usually best to act friendly during an interview to avoid any awkward situations. The two did have casual conversations with one another. However, Thompson herself wanted nothing to do with Ronald Cotton. She was extremely uncomfortable with Cotton’s presence on their first interview together. Thompson’s discomfort is shown through the line “Finally, I agreed on the condition that I have no contact with Ronald Cotton” (Cotton, Thompson, and Torneo 237). If Thompson is this uncomfortable with Cotton it will be impossible for the two to become friends.
Even though Cotton have been proven innocent, there are many who followed his case and still believe he is guilty. Cotton’s reputation has been tarnished from Thompson’s faulty testimony. It is no surprise that Cotton suffered from his time in prison. He was traumatized to the point where he was suspicious of his newly found freedom and constantly made sure he had an alibi. Cotton did not know Thompson personally and for all he knows she may or may not have chosen him intentionally. As stated in the novel, “She went on with her life, and now you’re trying to go on with yours” (242). Cotton should not become friends with Thompson because he is trying his best to move on with his life. If he chooses to associate with Thompson it could just reopen old scars, postponing his recovery from his traumatizing experience. It is a massive mistake for Cotton to befriend somebody who hurt
Mrs. Thompson did not have any malicious feelings towards Mr. Cotton, she simply was hurt and desperately wanted the culprit to be punished. The pair both faced grueling experiences from being Poole’s victims. By having Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton becoming friends they can rely on each other for emotional support. The friendship proves to beneficial when Thompson had conflicting feelings over Poole’s death, “I picked up the phone and called Ron, the only other person who would understand the conflicting emotions I felt over Poole’s death” (268). What the pair went through individually is not something every person can understand or relate too. In difficult scenarios, it is favorable to have a friend who went through a similar event. By befriending each other, it will be proof that they overcame the past and do not hold any animosity towards the