The Green Mile: A Journey Through Time

Oct 9, 2024

The Green Mile Lecture Notes

Overview

  • Story takes place in a nursing home and flashes back to 1935.
  • Main character, Paul, was a prison guard on death row.
  • The plot revolves around a new inmate, John Coffey, and the events surrounding his imprisonment.

Characters

  • Paul: Main protagonist, an elderly man who recalls his time as a prison guard.
  • John Coffey: New inmate on death row, large and seemingly gentle.
  • Percy: A malicious and incompetent prison guard with connections.
  • The Prison Guards Team: Includes Officer Chewing Gum, Pretty Boy, Black Brows, and Brutal.
  • Hal: Paul's boss, has a wife with a terminal illness.

Key Events

Nursing Home Introduction

  • Paul, now elderly, reflects on his past while at a nursing home.
  • An old movie on TV triggers memories of his time as a prison guard.

Flashback to 1935

  • Paul suffers from a painful urinary infection.
  • John Coffey arrives on death row, accused of murdering two young girls.
  • Percy is introduced as a disliked and problematic guard.

Prison Life

  • John Coffey is revealed to have mysterious healing powers.
  • A mouse named Mr. Jingles becomes a pet and symbol of hope.

Key Incidents

  • Percy’s cruelty leads to disastrous consequences during an execution.
  • John heals Paul's infection and later Hal's wife from a brain tumor.
  • Percy is manipulated by John into killing another inmate, revealing his evil nature.

Themes and Symbolism

  • Miracles and Healing: John’s healing abilities highlight the theme of miracles.
  • Injustice: The racial and judicial injustices John faces.
  • Death and Redemption: Explores the nature of death row and moral redemption.
  • Consequences of Actions: Paul's long life as a result of John’s miracles.

Resolution

  • John Coffey asks to be executed to escape the pain of the world.
  • Paul's longevity is revealed to be a result of the miracle, alongside Mr. Jingles' long life.

Conclusion

  • Paul reflects on the nature of miracles, suffering, and his extended life.
  • The film is a poignant exploration of human nature, redemption, and the supernatural.