Theory About John Coffey (Spoiler Included)

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Wayoftheredpanda

Flaming Wonder Telepath
May 15, 2018
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I think John has some form of “the touch” from the Dark Tower series, very similar to being able to shine but with its differences (Probably just a variation of the same thing). I definitely think Mother Abigail from The Stand definetly has Shining though.
 

Wayoftheredpanda

Flaming Wonder Telepath
May 15, 2018
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as anyone noticed how much John coffey fits the description of the "roont" children from Wolves of the calla, maybe he's a walk-in, what do you all think?
I don’t think so, I can see your point but Coffey doesn’t really seem to be mentally challenged in the ways the roont children are, just uneducated. I’m only 1/3 into Wolves of the Calla so maybe you’re coming from something I haven’t learned yet.
 

Marty Coslaw

Low-BDNF Gork
May 19, 2018
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Hi everyone!

I have a theory that John Coffey shines. He knows other's thoughts and feelings, and knows of other's illnesses. This is VERY similar to Danny Torrance in Doctor Sleep. John is even able to move illnesses between people.

What are your thoughts on this?
I just finished Green Mile and really loved it. I think it shows a maturity in his writing that I think shows up less frequently with his early work. I considered the Danny Torrance as a comparison for John Coffey, but what about Ted Brautigan? It's been a long time since I read Hearts, but having recently rewatched the movie, I felt like Brautigan had a less intense form of the same magic John Coffey had, and thirty/forty years later. They both transfer the power by touch, and both feel compelled to help or heal those around them. Thoughts?
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
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I just finished Green Mile and really loved it. I think it shows a maturity in his writing that I think shows up less frequently with his early work. I considered the Danny Torrance as a comparison for John Coffey, but what about Ted Brautigan? It's been a long time since I read Hearts, but having recently rewatched the movie, I felt like Brautigan had a less intense form of the same magic John Coffey had, and thirty/forty years later. They both transfer the power by touch, and both feel compelled to help or heal those around them. Thoughts?
You might be interested in this:


The Green Mile discussion date is July 23rd 8PM ET
 

wolfphoenix

She-Wolf finally Risen and Strapping On.
Apr 24, 2019
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Hi everyone!

I have a theory that John Coffey shines. He knows other's thoughts and feelings, and knows of other's illnesses. This is VERY similar to Danny Torrance in Doctor Sleep. John is even able to move illnesses between people.

What are your thoughts on this?
This is a very interesting subject.
I think John Coffey is a powerful "Empath" with SOME telepathic ability.
(Commander osnafrank , I'm sure, will remember the classic Star Trek episode where the mute Empath Gem healed Bones in a way similar to how John heals people. Taking on other peoples wounds/illness then have them dissipate from their own bodies afterward)
John had to actually touch a person to get mental flashes/images from them, collecting info of events more through thought of feeling and seeing with the minds eye, rather than speaking/conversing through thought with words.
He had to touch others to show them what he knew.
That always seemed to me to be a more physical instinctual part of his ability, not as much mental.
Danny Torrence and Halloran were far more powerful telepaths, Mother Abigail too.
Having full conversations telepathically, that's as best as I can remember from the books.
Ted Brautigan, I'm really not sure about, I only got to see the movie Hearts in Atlantis, haven't got to read the book yet.
Looking forward to that, and reading Doctor Sleep too. Danny actually ever heal anyone?
I don't mind spoilers, and I don't mind watching a King movie before I read the book. Always great story and you get that MAGNIFICENT MORE when reading the book afterward.
From what I remember the Breakers were telepaths (and more? I wonder, could telekinetic and pyrokinetics like Carrie and Charlie be considered Breakers?)
I've always thought the "Shine" was a name Halloran used for telepathy, or used to describe it.
"Breaking" could be a term for telepathy too?
"Shine" and "Breaking" really cool King-isms.
I think so, someone correct me if I am misremembering or wrong or missed something important.
 

wolfphoenix

She-Wolf finally Risen and Strapping On.
Apr 24, 2019
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I agree to.
Undereducated.
John Coffey is a simple good soul.
Not simple as in handicapped or mentally challenged.
It was so sad how he was so misunderstood.
Heartbreaking how his saying: "I couldn't help it" was so tragically misconstrued.
I think he was just so emotionally devastated and overwhelmed he couldn't even begin to explain himself.
John is most certainly an all time best loved character.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
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I agree to.
Undereducated.
John Coffey is a simple good soul.
Not simple as in handicapped or mentally challenged.
It was so sad how he was so misunderstood.
Heartbreaking how his saying: "I couldn't help it" was so tragically misconstrued.
I think he was just so emotionally devastated and overwhelmed he couldn't even begin to explain himself.
John is most certainly an all time best loved character.
Yeah, absolutely. I'm reading it again and it's heartbreaking. King makes him child-like and uneducated but certainly not mentally handicapped. There are many allusions to Christ, too.
 

do1you9love?

Happy to be here!
Feb 18, 2012
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I agree to.
Undereducated.
John Coffey is a simple good soul.
Not simple as in handicapped or mentally challenged.
It was so sad how he was so misunderstood.
Heartbreaking how his saying: "I couldn't help it" was so tragically misconstrued.
I think he was just so emotionally devastated and overwhelmed he couldn't even begin to explain himself.
John is most certainly an all time best loved character.
This.

The scene where he is riding in the truck and looking at the stars and just so happy, just guts me every time!
 

wolfphoenix

She-Wolf finally Risen and Strapping On.
Apr 24, 2019
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Yeah, absolutely. I'm reading it again and it's heartbreaking. King makes him child-like and uneducated but certainly not mentally handicapped. There are many allusions to Christ, too.
I think you can really see the loving, suffering Christ in John Coffey.
Especially when he was explaining to Paul Edgecomb what it was like for him everyday.
The emotional and mental pain he was in so much of the time, and how " it was a kindness" what going to be done to him.