DEad Man Walking Essay Example For Students

DEad Man Walking Essay Dead Man WalkingThe film, Dead Man Walking was made in 1995, and was adopted from Sister Helen Prejeans 1993 autobiographical book, which has the same title. It examines one of the most highly debated controversial issues of our time capital punishment. Since the protagonist of a film is regarded as the good guy, I would apply this label to Sister Helen Prajean, played by Susan Sarandon, and that of the antagonist, or the bad guy to Matthew Poncelet, played by Sean Penn. However, even though Sean Penn is definitely the bad guy, by definition, my feelings changed as the film progressed with Seans eventual understanding of the enormity of his transgression. (Rozan, 17) The story presented in the film attracts the viewer because of the strong emotions, which are evoked by the violence of the murder and rape, but also by the actors themselves. The issues of crime and punishment are examined from multiple viewpoints the victims family members, the killers, society, the lawyer, and a melding of all views within the religious conviction portrayed by Susan Sarandon. Your feelings go through many changes, as each view is examined and reexamined, as the story unfolds with more and more information concerning the actual crime and the events prior, during, and after its commission. The film unfolds with Penns emotions moving from defiance to remorse, (Rozan, 17) without actually providing a absolute judgment to the viewer, as to whether capital punishment is right or wrong-good or evil.As Sarandon tells Penn There are spaces of sorrow only God can touch. (Rozan, 17). The concepts of good and evil are clearly defined within the context of the film by the parameters of our criminal justice system and society in general. A very clear message is given-the perpetrator of such heinous crimes will pay with his life. This view is not challenged by the film. The concept of capital punishment, however, is questioned, as the workings of death row are explained and eventually seen. Penn gradually comes to an awareness of himself and his place in our society by fighting his eventual death by execution. You end up wondering whether the cause of justice to society and specifically to the victims and their families could possibly be served just as well by a life sentence, without the possibility of parole. You further ask yourself if you could actually administer the lethal injection yourself, rather than having someone else do it. The film makes a political statement concerning capital punishment, but doesnt overtly preach its message. The message is provided by Penns quest for his souls redemption via Sarandons interaction. Dead Man Walkings message has the viewer questioning beliefs, which he was previously sure of. Theoretically, you may think that capital punishment in this case is a foregone conclusion, but as you get to understand Penns character the black and white of the case now has shades of gray. The writer-director, Tim Robbins explores the psychological and moral relationship that develops between Penn and Sarandon. The faint possibility that evil and goodness can find a way of speaking to one another, the dim hope that the former can be in some sense redeemed, the later in some sense educated. (Schickel, 69) is proffered for the viewer to think about. The rewards of criminal behavior result in Penns death. The cost of violent, unconscionable acts result in his execution. The crime cannot be justified, but the viewer cannot help but try to understand Penn as a human being that has to pay for an act, which society cannot condone or accept. You ask yourself How could he do such a terrible thing? Understanding is a tough challenge which is met by Sarandons character because she will not give up on Penns ability to understand how wrong he was and to seek forgiveness from a higher power, since society cannot forgive him. We know he is guilty, but the film does cause us to question what we may have formerly thought was totally right-capital punishment. You end up asking yourself, whether Penns personal redemption is worth foregoing his execution. Can good come out of evil? Can God truly forgive? If you say you are truly sorry and repent sincerely, is it enough? Are there really answers to questions such as these within our earthly realm, or should these questions only be resolved by God? I really do not know. Pearl Harbor EssayLife imprisonment without parole serves the same purposes as capital punishment at less cost without the practical disadvantages and injustices of its actual practice. Churches should call for an immediate moratorium and work for the eventual end of the death penalty. Many contend that the use of capital punishment as a form of deterrence does not work, as there are no fewer murders in countries or states that do have it, then those that do not. In order for capital punishment to work as a deterrence, certain events must be present in the criminals mind prior to committing the offence. The criminal must be aware that others have been punished in the past for the offence that he or she is planning. The moral issues concerning the legitimacy of the death have been brought by many abolitionists. They think that respect for life forbids the use of the death penalty, while retentionists believe that respect for life requires it. Retentionists says the bible (Genesis 9:6) says, Whosoever sheds mans blood, by man may his blood be shed. This classic argument in favor of the death penalty has usually been interpreted as a proper and moral reason for putting a murderer to death. Supporters of capital punishment say that society has the right to kill in defense of its members, just as an individual has the right to kill in self defense for his or her own personal safety. This analogy is somewhat doubtful, however, as long as the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent to violent crimes has yet to be proven. BibliographyAnsen, David. The Killer And The Nun. Newsweek 8 January 1996. Moore, Susan. Responsibility. Quadrant September 1996. Musbach, Tom. Evangelical Cinema. Commonweal 22 March 1996. Prejean, Helen. Dead Man Walking. New York: Random House, 1993. Rodgers, Christy. Dead Man Walking. Cineaste June 1996. Rozen, Leah. Dead Man Walking. People 15 January 1996. Schickel, Richard. The Executionees Song. Time 8 January 1996. The Bible