The set for the Green Mile is the Cold Mountain Penitentiary in Louisiana in 1935. It is called the Green Mile because of the green floor guides the way from the inmates cell to the death chamber. Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) is the supervisor of this particular block of the prison and he conducts himself with compassion and respect towards the prisoners awaiting their death. One prisoner that would change Paul Edgecome forever was John Coffey, a huge seven foot black man who has been wrongly convicted of killing two young girls. We find out that John has some sort of supernatural powers and because of this performs many miracles such as eliminating Paul’s urinary infection, curing the captain’s wife, and giving life back

Capital Punishment by Sherman Alexie, is a poem about the execution of a man on death row as told by the prison cook. The cook takes his job very seriously because he understands the impact that he has on the prisoners. He prepared the last meal for the inmates before they are executed. To the cook, there is no question if the inmates he cooks for are guilty or not. He does what he can do for the inmates and to them the last meal is the last miracle of their lives. The cook is aware of every death that happens in the prison and is tormented by everyone. He knows by preparing the meal of a man who is about to die can lead to painful feelings and sights unbearable to witness.

to a dead mouse. Paul and the other prison officers realize that John is innocent and even consider trying to help John escape. However, this is not what John wants. He sees the execution as a way out for him, “an end to the burden of his existence and his gift of healing.” Now Paul and the other guards are faced with having to execute a man that they know is innocent. Not only are they executing an innocent man but they also see it as killing one of God’s miracles. Paul Edgecomb didn't believe in miracles until the day he met one.

Comparing the two stories above can be taken by there face value

Some topics in this essay:
Sherman Alexie, John Coffey, Green Mile, Coffey Paul, , Tom Hanks, Paul Edgecomb, John John, God Paul, green mile, Penitentiary Louisiana, capital punishment, john coffey, paul edgecomb, punishment sherman alexie, sherman alexie, sad endings, punishment sherman, miracles paul, innocent killing, capital punishment sherman,