GROUP DISCUSSION: The Green Mile

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Marty Coslaw

Low-BDNF Gork
May 19, 2018
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There is so much pain and heartache and injustice in this book, albeit delivered with the tenderness of a Hallmark card, but it was nice to have moments of humor. I like Toot-Toot and his snack wagon. He cracked me up. "Walking the mile...walking the green mile."
"I'm sittin' down, sittin' down, takin' a seat in Old Sparky's lap." He was great comic relief and also gives the reader a chance to see how Paul responds to the behavior and sets an example for Brutal and the others.
 

Doc Creed

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"I'm sittin' down, sittin' down, takin' a seat in Old Sparky's lap." He was great comic relief and also gives the reader a chance to see how Paul responds to the behavior and sets an example for Brutal and the others.
Yes, I was just telling GNT about the fouled up execution of Delacroix and how horrific it was, but then King later makes us laugh a little (to help us over the nightmarish scene) with Toot-Toot saying Del was cooked like a tom turkey, or something like that. LOL
 

Marty Coslaw

Low-BDNF Gork
May 19, 2018
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Yep, gotta love that part. I have a couple. The "night journey" being one, but I also thought the scene where Percy gives Delacroix the ultimate punking was greusome and horrifically detailed. I tried to imagine being in Delacroix's place. Unfathomable.
For me it would be Coffey's final act (of rebellion? of vengeance? of mercy?). Inspired (and uncharacteristically clever) and cathartic. Like divine intervention. One of the best plot resolutions in any King novel for my money.
 

Doc Creed

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My opinion is that Wharton wasn't completely evil, not like Percy. I think he was just crazy. Like when he first comes to the prison, drooling down his chin and pretending to be medicated. He overcomes Dean with his handcuffs and starts choking him. He knew he'd probably be overtaken by them all but he was doing it because he could, and because it excited him. He even says, "Hey boys, we're having a party now, ain't we?" Something like that. How do you explain his behavior? Thoughts?
 

Spideyman

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Jul 10, 2006
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Did you notice that Paul wrote pages and pages of memories about his time at Cold Mountain Penitentiary but he also kept a diary with things about the weather, his grand kids, and stuff like that. Does every one have a favorite scene in the book?
The ending, after Elaine reads his story, and we see Mr Jingles. Heartstrings are pulled.
 

Doc Creed

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The ending, after Elaine reads his story, and we see Mr Jingles. Heartstrings are pulled.
Yeah, I liked how Elaine stood up to Brad Dolan (Percy's doppelganger). It just erupted. I think she'd had all she could take. I also like how she told Paul she didn't want to read it until he was finished writing it. Cool lady.
 

Marty Coslaw

Low-BDNF Gork
May 19, 2018
177
720
37
DC
My opinion is that Wharton wasn't completely evil, not like Percy. I think he was just crazy. Like when he first comes to the prison, drooling down his chin and pretending to be medicated. He overcomes Dean with his handcuffs and starts choking him. He knew he'd probably be overtaken by them all but he was doing it because he could, and because it excited him. He even says, "Hey boys, we're having a party now, ain't we?" Something like that. How do you explain his behavior? Thoughts?
I think that might be why John Coffey does what he does. Percy is the one who is calculating and evil, Wild Bill is just completely unhinged and can't help himself from hurting people around him.
 

cat in a bag

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Aug 28, 2010
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I think that might be why John Coffey does what he does. Percy is the one who is calculating and evil, Wild Bill is just completely unhinged and can't help himself from hurting people around him.
I agree, but which one is scarier? The calculating one or the one who hurts others just because he can? They are both very scary to me, but I think Wild Bill is scarier. He represents the wrong place, right time scenario. The mindless, no conscience acts of violence are much scarier to me. No rhyme nor reason.
 

Doc Creed

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Why do you think Paul was so hard on himself for carrying out John's execution? He was grief-stricken, obviously, because of the part he was playing in killing an innocent man, but ultimately it was out of his hands. He said he didn't know what he'd say to God on judgement day. I think he was way too hard on himself. What do you think? I don't think he could have done anything differently than he did. I suppose this is part of the tragedy of the novel. As powerful as John was, he had his limitations and there really was no way out of their dilemma.
 

Doc Creed

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it was so heart breaking.It was a rough deal to have to see that carried out. being Paul and in the situation I can see why he was so hard on himself.I think that would have been a point i walked off my job.
Good point, Linda. I can't remember how much longer he worked at Cold Mountain after that. Wasn't it twelve years? Maybe not that long. Anyone remember? He does say, I think.
 

cat in a bag

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Why do you think Paul was so hard on himself for carrying out John's execution? He was grief-stricken, obviously, because of the part he was playing in killing an innocent man, but ultimately it was out of his hands. He said he didn't know what he'd say to God on judgement day. I think he was way too hard on himself. What do you think? I don't think he could have done anything differently than he did. I suppose this is part of the tragedy of the novel. As powerful as John was, he had his limitations and there really was no way out of their dilemma.
I would not want to be in Paul's shoes. It is so tragic. They KNOW without a doubt that he is innocent of the crime that put him on The Mile. But nothing to be done. Oh. This is the part that is hardest to read for me. Tears, Every. Single. Time. Why should someone who is PURELY good be condemned? Because humanity, for whatever reason, is ill equipped to see good. Good always has an ulterior motive, in society's eyes. Very sad. And what is even more difficult, is that John, who cannot tie his own shoes, knows that good deeds are always looked upon with a suspicious eye. He knows the only way out for him is to die.

:a17::a17::a17:
 

Doc Creed

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I would not want to be in Paul's shoes. It is so tragic. They KNOW without a doubt that he is innocent of the crime that put him on The Mile. But nothing to be done. Oh. This is the part that is hardest to read for me. Tears, Every. Single. Time. Why should someone who is PURELY good be condemned? Because humanity, for whatever reason, is ill equipped to see good. Good always has an ulterior motive, in society's eyes. Very sad. And what is even more difficult, is that John, who cannot tie his own shoes, knows that good deeds are always looked upon with a suspicious eye. He knows the only way out for him is to die.

:a17::a17::a17:
Amen and pass the offering plate, heh. I agree, Cat. At least John was able to carry out his own form of justice, like you mentioned earlier, with the bugs going into Percy and Percy shooting Wild Bill, who was the actual perpetrator of the murders. We have that, at least. Yeah, it doesn't get easier reading that ending.