In the late 1980s and the 1990s, the time Stephen King was working on his serial novels and movie ‘The Green Mile’, the newspapers reported of many execution errors comparable to Kemmler’s execution. Stephen King was presumably concerned by these horrible incidents so that these reports may have influenced his writing. The thought that this movie was made to enlighten and arouse the public, raises the question in which way these three executions in the movie resemble to authentic executions that took place over the years in the United States of America. To respond to this question this paper will give a summary of the movie ‘The Green Mile’ followed by descriptions of the three execution scenes. In the last part the three executions will be compared to real executions that took place in the USA and are discussed with regard to how accurate they are to reality.
The thought of executing a person through electricity has its origin in the late 19th century. During that time technology developed very fast and people were fascinated by electricity. However, installing electrical items like street lights caused many fatal accidents. The number of deaths increased rapidly in the 1880s. Apparently the victims died within seconds without physical pain and visible marks of external forces on the bodies. Soon people thought that power generators might be useful for executions. David Hill, Governor of New York, engaged a three-member committee to proof if electricity is suitable for executions. After three years of research the result was that electrocutions caused a painless and instant death. It was seen as the most human and practical method to enforce the death penalty.
The first electric chair was built in New York in 1888 (DPIC). Only two years later William Kemmler was the first person who got executed by electrocution in the US for murdering his common-law wife Tillie Ziegler. Even though the tests were successful, Kemmler’s electrocution in the Auburn Prison in New York occurred not to be as painless as it was supposed to be. His death on the electric chair took several minutes.
Even though there were oppositions and execution errors in the years later, the electric chair had been established in many other states. Altogether 26 states of the United States of America adopted the method of electrocution.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Green Mile
- 3. Executions
- 3.1. Arlen Bitterbuck
- 3.2. Eduard Delacroix
- 3.3. John Coffey
- 4. Discussion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the authenticity of execution scenes portrayed in Stephen King's "The Green Mile," comparing them to real-life electrocutions in the United States. The analysis will focus on three specific executions depicted in the film.
- The accuracy of the depiction of the electrocution process in "The Green Mile."
- The emotional and psychological impact of executions on both the condemned and the executioners.
- The historical context of the electric chair and its evolution.
- The ethical considerations surrounding capital punishment.
- The portrayal of death row inmates and their humanity.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter explores the historical context of the electric chair, tracing its origins back to the late 19th century's fascination with electricity and the search for a supposedly humane method of execution. It highlights the early controversies surrounding the electric chair, citing the problematic first execution of William Kemmler, which exposed the initial failures and inconsistencies in the process. The chapter sets the stage for the analysis of the film's portrayal of executions by contextualizing the historical realities and early challenges associated with this method of capital punishment.
2. The Green Mile: This chapter provides a synopsis of Stephen King's "The Green Mile," focusing on the setting, characters, and plot points relevant to the subsequent analysis of the execution scenes. It introduces Paul Edgecomb, the protagonist, and highlights the three key executions—those of Arlen Bitterbuck, Eduard Delacroix, and John Coffey—that form the central focus of the paper's analysis. The chapter emphasizes the emotional journey of Edgecomb and the impact of witnessing the executions on his worldview, setting the scene for the later comparative analysis.
3. Executions: This chapter details the three executions shown in "The Green Mile." While individual sub-chapters describe each execution in detail, the overall chapter focuses on the film's portrayal of the physical and emotional aspects of electrocution, considering elements such as the condemned's demeanor, the procedure itself, and the reactions of both witnesses and executioners. It lays the groundwork for comparing the movie's portrayal with the historical reality of electrocutions in the United States.
Keywords
Electric chair, capital punishment, execution, Stephen King, The Green Mile, death penalty, electrocution, film analysis, historical accuracy, humanity, death row.
Stephen King's "The Green Mile": An Analysis of Execution Scenes - FAQ
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes the accuracy of the execution scenes depicted in Stephen King's "The Green Mile" compared to real-life electrocutions in the United States. It focuses specifically on three executions shown in the film: Arlen Bitterbuck, Eduard Delacroix, and John Coffey.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the accuracy of the film's depiction of the electrocution process, the emotional and psychological impact of executions on both the condemned and executioners, the historical context of the electric chair, the ethical considerations surrounding capital punishment, and the portrayal of death row inmates and their humanity.
Which executions are analyzed in detail?
The analysis focuses on the executions of Arlen Bitterbuck, Eduard Delacroix, and John Coffey, as depicted in "The Green Mile."
What aspects of the executions are examined?
The paper examines the physical and emotional aspects of the electrocutions in the film, including the condemned's demeanor, the procedure itself, and the reactions of witnesses and executioners. It compares these depictions with historical accounts of real-life electrocutions.
What is the historical context provided in the paper?
The paper provides a historical overview of the electric chair, tracing its origins and early controversies, including the problematic first execution of William Kemmler. This context is used to compare the film's depiction to the historical realities of this method of capital punishment.
What is included in the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide overviews of the introduction (which covers the historical context of the electric chair), the synopsis of "The Green Mile" (focusing on relevant plot points and characters), and the detailed analysis of the three executions shown in the film.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Electric chair, capital punishment, execution, Stephen King, The Green Mile, death penalty, electrocution, film analysis, historical accuracy, humanity, death row.
What is the overall goal of the analysis?
The overall goal is to provide a structured and professional analysis of the authenticity and impact of the execution scenes in "The Green Mile," utilizing both cinematic and historical sources.
- Quote paper
- Merle Blunk (Author), 2015, The Authenticity of Execution Scenes portrayed in „The Green Mile“, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/464085
