The Green Mile is about a prison guard named Paul Edgecombe who works on death row during the Great Depression. His life is forever changed when he meets John Coffey, a convicted murderer with a gentle spirit and miraculous healing powers. The story unfolds as Paul grapples with his own sense of justice and the supernatural events surrounding John.
Table of Content
The Green Mile Book Summary
On the Green Mile, Paul Edgecombe oversees the execution of inmates, maintaining a grim routine. When John Coffey arrives, convicted of a heinous crime but displaying childlike innocence, Paul is confounded.
John's miraculous healing powers become apparent when he cures Paul's urinary infection and resurrects Mr. Jingles, the mouse of fellow inmate Del. This leads Paul to question John's guilt and the nature of justice.
Percy Wetmore, a sadistic new guard, exacerbates tensions. He botches an execution, leaving Del in agony. Meanwhile, John reveals his innocence, claiming he is a conduit for absorbing others' pain and suffering.
Paul and his team are haunted by their work, and the Green Mile becomes a place of reflection. They devise a plan to save John, but before they can execute it, tragedy strikes. Percy, in a fit of rage, kills Del's resurrected mouse and is transferred.
With the execution of another inmate imminent, John insists on helping the guard's wife, revealing the true killer, and bestows a vision of Ingrid's sisters in heaven. As he is led to the electric chair, he asks for the darkness to be put to rest.
John's execution is a poignant moment; the supernatural and the mundane collide. His last words echo through the prison, and Paul realizes the impact of John's life and the injustice of his death.
The story ends with Paul's recollections from old age, reflecting on the events and the long-lasting effects they've had on him, his colleagues, and the wider world.
The Green Mile Quotes
- Sometimes the past seems too big for the present to hold.
The Green Mile Ending Explained
At the end of The Green Mile, the prison staff and John's supporters witness his peaceful and otherworldly execution in the electric chair.
After John's death, the prison is engulfed in darkness and silence, signifying the end of an era. Paul Edgecombe, now an old man, reflects on the profound impact of John's life and his own mortality.
He is left with the bittersweet memories of the Green Mile, the men he worked alongside, and the extraordinary events that reshaped his beliefs and understanding of the world.
Characters in book The Green Mile
- Paul Edgecombe: The main protagonist, a thoughtful prison guard who oversees the inmates on the Green Mile.
- John Coffey: A gentle and enigmatic African American prisoner with extraordinary healing abilities.
- Eduard 'Del' Delacroix: A death row inmate with a pet mouse named Mr. Jingles who becomes a significant part of the story.
- Percy Wetmore: A cruel and sadistic guard who torments the prisoners and creates tension among the staff.
- Brutus 'Brutal' Howell: A kind-hearted and loyal fellow prison guard on the Green Mile.
- Dean Stanton: Another guard on the Green Mile who is known for his level-headedness and reliability.
- William 'Wild Bill' Wharton: A dangerous and unpredictable inmate whose arrival disrupts the peaceful atmosphere on the Mile.
Key Lessons
- Empathy Heals: Showing compassion and understanding can heal not just physical wounds, but also deep emotional and psychological scars.
- Facing Injustice: Confronting and addressing injustice is a moral imperative, even when it challenges the status quo or seems insurmountable.
- Power and Responsibility: Those with power have a responsibility to use it for good and to question the impact of their actions on others.
- The Weight of the Past: The past can have a profound effect on the present, and confronting it is essential for personal growth and societal change.
- Accepting Mortality: Acknowledging the reality of death can lead to a deeper appreciation for life and the time we have.
My Personal Opinion
Is The Green Mile worth reading? Absolutely yes, I found it to be a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel. The story's blend of supernatural elements and human drama created a unique and unforgettable reading experience.
I was impressed by the book's exploration of complex themes such as injustice, empathy, and the nature of good and evil. However, I found the pacing occasionally slow, which may not be to everyone's taste. The character development, particularly that of John Coffey, was masterfully done.
I would recommend this book to readers who appreciate deep character studies and are open to narratives that challenge conventional ideas. It's a profound story that can touch the hearts of a wide audience, especially those with an interest in the human condition and social commentary.