The Green Mile Point Of View
In "The green Mile" the story switches between Paul Edgecomb in the nursing home, to his narrating and story of his job as a prison guard. He works on cell block E, which is where all the inmates go to await old sparky (the electric chair). While working on cell block E a man named John Coffey joins the mile after being charged for the rape and mmurder of the Detterick twins. Throughout Coffey's stay Paul and his fellow workers discover Coffey's gift from God. While he uses it for good they discover more and more odd details about him and his crime.
Plot analysis
EXPOSITION
* In the beginning of this story you learn about Paul Edgecombe the main character and narrator of this story.
* He is currently in a retirement home and is writing …show more content…
about his years of working on the "Green Mile"
* He worked in the State Penitentiary's, Cold Mountain death row.
* We learn that at Cold Mountain they refer to the electric chair as "Old Sparky" and death row as "The Green Mile"
* Paul is suffering from a urinary infection at the time John Coffey is brought into the Green Mile.
CONFLICT
* Character vs. Society, as John Coffey is given unfair treatment for being black and being punished for a crime he didn't do.
* Character vs. Character, Paul and Percy are constantly having problems throughout the entire story.
* Character vs. Character, Paul and Brad, another Percy
RISING ACTION
* John Coffey is brought into the Green Mile.
* Paul does some research on John and learns that he is in the Green Mile because he raped and killed two little girls.
* When John was found with the two murdered girls he was crying uncontrollably holding their bodies.
* They discover a mouse on the Green Mile and they name him Steamboat Willy.
* Percy sees Steamboat Willy and tries to kill him, but fails.
* Delacroix "Del" is beaten by Percy while he is brought onto E Block.
* Paul decides to put Percy "up front" for Delacroix execution.
* Delacroix sees Steamboat Willy and names him Mr. Jingles instead.
* Delacroix is permitted to get a cigar box, a spindle and some treats to keep Mr. Jingles as a pet.
* Paul learns that Wild Bill is going to be coming in soon and Paul's urinary infection is starting to get worse.
* we also learn that Hal Moore's wife has a tumor which is most likely fatal.
* When Wild Bill is brought into the Green Mile he grabs Dean, a guard, by the throat and starts choking him.
* John Coffey calls Paul into his cell, and John puts his hand over Paul's groin, and his urinary infection disappears.
* Wild Bill Freaks out several times in the next days and is put into a straight jacket and locked in a padded room.
* The guards practice Delacroix execution, with Percy up front.
* Later that day Percy walks down the Mile and Wharton jumps up and grabs Percy through the bars.
* He wets himself and Delacroix makes fun of him for this.
* Mr. Jingles runs out into the Green Mile, and Percy stomps on him, breaking almost every bone in his body.
* John Coffey tells Paul to give him the mouse before it's too late, and he brings Mr. Jingles back to life.
* Delacroix sees Percy is up front for his execution and he yells saying he doesn't want to go if Percy is in charge.
* Percy forgets to wet the sponge that goes under the cap of "Old Sparky" and Delacroix lifeless body catches fire.
* Paul tells Percy he is to put in for a transfer immediately and is to take sick days until the transfer is put into …show more content…
place.
* Paul has a dream about the day John allegedly killed the two little girls, and discovers that he is not guilty.
* The guards meet and plan to bring John to Hal Moores' house to heal his dying wife.
* They fake an escape where Percy is tied up and Dean stays at the Mile.
* As they escape Wild Bill grabs John's arm and John suddenly remembers it was actually Wharton who killed the two little girls.
* When they reach Hal Moores' house Hal doesn't understand what is happening.
CLIMAX
* Hal holds a gun out at John, scared he's going to try something, and Paul walks up and takes his gun.
* John walks over to Hal's dying wife, and kisses her.
* This kiss took out all of the sickness she was suffering from.
* John starts coughing a bunch and the guards think he is dying.
FALLING ACTION
* Everybody hurries back to get John to the Green Mile.
* John grabs Percy once they reach the Mile, and let's all of the sickness from Hal Moores' wife into Percy.
* Percy grabs his gun and shoots Wharton.
* Paul tells John he can prove he's innocent, but John says he wants to die.
RESOLUTION
* The guards follow through with John Coffey's execution.
* The story goes back to present time and Paul's friend Elaine reads what he has written.
* They walk to a shed at their retirement home where they find Mr. Jingles dead.
* Then the story goes to when Paul's wife dies.
* He remembers how he could see John Coffey in the distance of where his wife died.
Character analysis (John Coffey)
"I tried to take it back, but it was to late." Pg 315. John Coffey is a big man with an even bigger heart. He is an orphan with a gift from God, the ability to give and take sickness and a few other things. That is why the quote above is important. With a big heart he tries to help all he can. He took away Paul Edgecombs urinary infection, brought Delcroix's mouse, Mr. Jingles, back to live after he was crushed and killed, and he healed Warden Hal Moores wife of a brain tumor. He tried to take back what Wharton had done to those two girls but it was too late and they couldn't be saved. He has been wondering alone for a long time saving all he could and he finds this power a blessing and a curse.
Scene Analysis
John Coffey is ready to go.
In this scene John Coffey sits in his cell with Paul and tells him he is ready to go. He says that he is okay with going to old sparky, the electric chair. On page 491, in the last paragraph, he says to Paul that he is tired of the pain he sees and hears, being lonely, and being in the dark. He is tired of people being ugly to each other because it feels like glass in his head. As he says this with Paul's hands in his, Paul begins to receive John's feeling and emotions and says in his writing that he can see the darkness and pain in John. After this wave of emotion John tells Paul that when he touched Wharton in an earlier incident he remembered seeing him with the girls and that he remembered what had happened, that Wharton used them against each other. This scene is important because it explains what John feels and gives more detail into his power from God. He is unable to die because of his gift to give and take away sickness as well as many other things, but he is ready to go and does not want the prison guards to feel bad when he does.
Character journal (John Coffey)
1. Well today I was took into prison. I don’t remember how I got into this situation. It all happened so fast I guess. I was moved to the green mile. Im awaitin death now. I met boss today he's a nice man. I think he he thunk I was a nice one because he took the cuffs off me. Boss even shook my hand. we haven't talked much but theys all been nice to me since I got here. I even met a funny little man with a pet mouse.
2. Percy squished poor Mr. Jingles. Squished him like a rotten tomatoe. He us a mean one alright. and for no good reason. I saved that mouse as fast as I could. That poor little French man was scared I think. Maybe if I wasn’t born like this I woulda been to. everyone looked at me like I us a mad man. Only boss Paul looked alright after watchin the death leave me. I guess it's something that takes time getting use to.
3. Wharton came to the green mile today. He came in soft as a lamb but then went wild. They oughta known somethin was up. I sure did but I don’t know why. I can't put my finger on it but he's bad
news. After they thought they was good he jumped outta no where. He latched on to one of them and he wasn't lettin go. He us a bad man. I hope I get to tell him that one day.
4. Everyone came back lookin sad from del's time with old sparky. It wasn’t tell later that day I heard. That mean man Percy forgot to wet the sponge. I don’t think he actually forgot tho. Hes a mean one to. Just like wharton I want to tell him that before I leave. I hope I can cuase he needs to know. Im mighty tired of all these nasty people hurtin others for no good reason. I know wharton will get what he deserves. Percys just getting a transfer tho. Not the punishemnt he should for hurtin a man like that without reason.
5. Im ready. Today us gonna be my last night on the mile. Boss thought I was scarred. I had to tell him I us ready to go. I truly am. Everyone in the worlds so ugly to each other without a reason, or a good one at least. Being here aint done me no good but when I help others. Seeing and hearin all the pain is more than I can handle. Theys said before they felt bad for killing a man of God. I think they was better after I told them I was ready. After all if I could have done this myself I would have ages ago...
News Article (Delacroix's death)
Delacroix Fried In Execution!
Edward Delacroix, a prisoner at Cold Mountain Penitentiary, died of a horrible execution last night. As he was waiting to be tied down for good a prison guard named Percy Wetmore forgot to wet the sponge. Wetmore says "It was an accident, must have been the heat of the moment and I forgot." Delacroix's face was said to have burnt onto the mask along with other gruesome details that will not be disclosed at this time. Prison guard, Paul Edgecomb, says that "It was his first time on the from and I believed he could do it." After the incident Wetmore has asked for a transfer to a new building out of this area. Whether or not he has done it for the mistake he made or for other reasons has not been said.
Literary Letter
Dear Chelsea Students,
I'm glad to hear you are reading my book, "The Green Mile".
I hope you are intrigued by my work and enjoy the book. My name is Stephen Edwin King. After I graduated from the University of Maine I became a teacher. While I was a teacher I began to find myself as a writer. I at one point used the pseudonym Richard Bachman. I moved around a lot for my job and due to my mother's health. In the fall of 1974 I moved to Boulder, Colorado. Here I got the idea for my book "The Shining" which was set in Colorado, as well as my book "The Stand". As I have said before in a panel discussion, writing has always been it for me. I use to write every day except for Christmas, the 4th of July, and my own birthday. Most of my books, If not all, revolve around genres like horror and fantasy fictions. Although my books are a long read, they are great works of art. I believe that using big and small, old and young is fun for my characters. I like to relate them with each other in times of fear which you will find in many of my books. I hope you enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoyed writing
them.
Sincerely,
Stephen King.
Plot analysis
EXPOSITION
* In the beginning of this story you learn about Paul Edgecombe the main character and narrator of this story.
* He is currently in a retirement home and is writing …show more content…
about his years of working on the "Green Mile"
* He worked in the State Penitentiary's, Cold Mountain death row.
* We learn that at Cold Mountain they refer to the electric chair as "Old Sparky" and death row as "The Green Mile"
* Paul is suffering from a urinary infection at the time John Coffey is brought into the Green Mile.
CONFLICT
* Character vs. Society, as John Coffey is given unfair treatment for being black and being punished for a crime he didn't do.
* Character vs. Character, Paul and Percy are constantly having problems throughout the entire story.
* Character vs. Character, Paul and Brad, another Percy
RISING ACTION
* John Coffey is brought into the Green Mile.
* Paul does some research on John and learns that he is in the Green Mile because he raped and killed two little girls.
* When John was found with the two murdered girls he was crying uncontrollably holding their bodies.
* They discover a mouse on the Green Mile and they name him Steamboat Willy.
* Percy sees Steamboat Willy and tries to kill him, but fails.
* Delacroix "Del" is beaten by Percy while he is brought onto E Block.
* Paul decides to put Percy "up front" for Delacroix execution.
* Delacroix sees Steamboat Willy and names him Mr. Jingles instead.
* Delacroix is permitted to get a cigar box, a spindle and some treats to keep Mr. Jingles as a pet.
* Paul learns that Wild Bill is going to be coming in soon and Paul's urinary infection is starting to get worse.
* we also learn that Hal Moore's wife has a tumor which is most likely fatal.
* When Wild Bill is brought into the Green Mile he grabs Dean, a guard, by the throat and starts choking him.
* John Coffey calls Paul into his cell, and John puts his hand over Paul's groin, and his urinary infection disappears.
* Wild Bill Freaks out several times in the next days and is put into a straight jacket and locked in a padded room.
* The guards practice Delacroix execution, with Percy up front.
* Later that day Percy walks down the Mile and Wharton jumps up and grabs Percy through the bars.
* He wets himself and Delacroix makes fun of him for this.
* Mr. Jingles runs out into the Green Mile, and Percy stomps on him, breaking almost every bone in his body.
* John Coffey tells Paul to give him the mouse before it's too late, and he brings Mr. Jingles back to life.
* Delacroix sees Percy is up front for his execution and he yells saying he doesn't want to go if Percy is in charge.
* Percy forgets to wet the sponge that goes under the cap of "Old Sparky" and Delacroix lifeless body catches fire.
* Paul tells Percy he is to put in for a transfer immediately and is to take sick days until the transfer is put into …show more content…
place.
* Paul has a dream about the day John allegedly killed the two little girls, and discovers that he is not guilty.
* The guards meet and plan to bring John to Hal Moores' house to heal his dying wife.
* They fake an escape where Percy is tied up and Dean stays at the Mile.
* As they escape Wild Bill grabs John's arm and John suddenly remembers it was actually Wharton who killed the two little girls.
* When they reach Hal Moores' house Hal doesn't understand what is happening.
CLIMAX
* Hal holds a gun out at John, scared he's going to try something, and Paul walks up and takes his gun.
* John walks over to Hal's dying wife, and kisses her.
* This kiss took out all of the sickness she was suffering from.
* John starts coughing a bunch and the guards think he is dying.
FALLING ACTION
* Everybody hurries back to get John to the Green Mile.
* John grabs Percy once they reach the Mile, and let's all of the sickness from Hal Moores' wife into Percy.
* Percy grabs his gun and shoots Wharton.
* Paul tells John he can prove he's innocent, but John says he wants to die.
RESOLUTION
* The guards follow through with John Coffey's execution.
* The story goes back to present time and Paul's friend Elaine reads what he has written.
* They walk to a shed at their retirement home where they find Mr. Jingles dead.
* Then the story goes to when Paul's wife dies.
* He remembers how he could see John Coffey in the distance of where his wife died.
Character analysis (John Coffey)
"I tried to take it back, but it was to late." Pg 315. John Coffey is a big man with an even bigger heart. He is an orphan with a gift from God, the ability to give and take sickness and a few other things. That is why the quote above is important. With a big heart he tries to help all he can. He took away Paul Edgecombs urinary infection, brought Delcroix's mouse, Mr. Jingles, back to live after he was crushed and killed, and he healed Warden Hal Moores wife of a brain tumor. He tried to take back what Wharton had done to those two girls but it was too late and they couldn't be saved. He has been wondering alone for a long time saving all he could and he finds this power a blessing and a curse.
Scene Analysis
John Coffey is ready to go.
In this scene John Coffey sits in his cell with Paul and tells him he is ready to go. He says that he is okay with going to old sparky, the electric chair. On page 491, in the last paragraph, he says to Paul that he is tired of the pain he sees and hears, being lonely, and being in the dark. He is tired of people being ugly to each other because it feels like glass in his head. As he says this with Paul's hands in his, Paul begins to receive John's feeling and emotions and says in his writing that he can see the darkness and pain in John. After this wave of emotion John tells Paul that when he touched Wharton in an earlier incident he remembered seeing him with the girls and that he remembered what had happened, that Wharton used them against each other. This scene is important because it explains what John feels and gives more detail into his power from God. He is unable to die because of his gift to give and take away sickness as well as many other things, but he is ready to go and does not want the prison guards to feel bad when he does.
Character journal (John Coffey)
1. Well today I was took into prison. I don’t remember how I got into this situation. It all happened so fast I guess. I was moved to the green mile. Im awaitin death now. I met boss today he's a nice man. I think he he thunk I was a nice one because he took the cuffs off me. Boss even shook my hand. we haven't talked much but theys all been nice to me since I got here. I even met a funny little man with a pet mouse.
2. Percy squished poor Mr. Jingles. Squished him like a rotten tomatoe. He us a mean one alright. and for no good reason. I saved that mouse as fast as I could. That poor little French man was scared I think. Maybe if I wasn’t born like this I woulda been to. everyone looked at me like I us a mad man. Only boss Paul looked alright after watchin the death leave me. I guess it's something that takes time getting use to.
3. Wharton came to the green mile today. He came in soft as a lamb but then went wild. They oughta known somethin was up. I sure did but I don’t know why. I can't put my finger on it but he's bad
news. After they thought they was good he jumped outta no where. He latched on to one of them and he wasn't lettin go. He us a bad man. I hope I get to tell him that one day.
4. Everyone came back lookin sad from del's time with old sparky. It wasn’t tell later that day I heard. That mean man Percy forgot to wet the sponge. I don’t think he actually forgot tho. Hes a mean one to. Just like wharton I want to tell him that before I leave. I hope I can cuase he needs to know. Im mighty tired of all these nasty people hurtin others for no good reason. I know wharton will get what he deserves. Percys just getting a transfer tho. Not the punishemnt he should for hurtin a man like that without reason.
5. Im ready. Today us gonna be my last night on the mile. Boss thought I was scarred. I had to tell him I us ready to go. I truly am. Everyone in the worlds so ugly to each other without a reason, or a good one at least. Being here aint done me no good but when I help others. Seeing and hearin all the pain is more than I can handle. Theys said before they felt bad for killing a man of God. I think they was better after I told them I was ready. After all if I could have done this myself I would have ages ago...
News Article (Delacroix's death)
Delacroix Fried In Execution!
Edward Delacroix, a prisoner at Cold Mountain Penitentiary, died of a horrible execution last night. As he was waiting to be tied down for good a prison guard named Percy Wetmore forgot to wet the sponge. Wetmore says "It was an accident, must have been the heat of the moment and I forgot." Delacroix's face was said to have burnt onto the mask along with other gruesome details that will not be disclosed at this time. Prison guard, Paul Edgecomb, says that "It was his first time on the from and I believed he could do it." After the incident Wetmore has asked for a transfer to a new building out of this area. Whether or not he has done it for the mistake he made or for other reasons has not been said.
Literary Letter
Dear Chelsea Students,
I'm glad to hear you are reading my book, "The Green Mile".
I hope you are intrigued by my work and enjoy the book. My name is Stephen Edwin King. After I graduated from the University of Maine I became a teacher. While I was a teacher I began to find myself as a writer. I at one point used the pseudonym Richard Bachman. I moved around a lot for my job and due to my mother's health. In the fall of 1974 I moved to Boulder, Colorado. Here I got the idea for my book "The Shining" which was set in Colorado, as well as my book "The Stand". As I have said before in a panel discussion, writing has always been it for me. I use to write every day except for Christmas, the 4th of July, and my own birthday. Most of my books, If not all, revolve around genres like horror and fantasy fictions. Although my books are a long read, they are great works of art. I believe that using big and small, old and young is fun for my characters. I like to relate them with each other in times of fear which you will find in many of my books. I hope you enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoyed writing
them.
Sincerely,
Stephen King.