The Green Mile Discussion 1

The Green Mile is based in the death row unit in a Georgia state penitentiary and is told by a man named Paul Edgecomb. Paul is the captain in the E Block also known as the "green mile" because the floors are green. Paul seems to have a very bad urinary infection, which causes him horrible pain every time he uses the restroom. He tells the reader about some of the past prisoners, the current prisoners, the crimes they have committed and also about the other prison guards he works with. The story seems to focus around a new prisoner, John Coffey.

It's the fall of 1932 and John Coffey is new to the E Block. John Coffey is described an almost 7 foot tall, muscular African American man. John is sentenced to die in the electric chair, better know as "Old Sparky" for the rape and murder of two young twin girls that he has been accused of murdering. When the girls' brother discovers they are missing, his father and himself immediately grab their guns and set out to try to find the girls. The sheriff and a few men from the town, along with a dog, join them. They eventually find John Coffey holding the girls in each of his arms and crying that he was too late. He is arrested and eventually ends up in the E Block. Paul seems to take a special interest in John Coffey and does some research on his alleged crime. Paul gives the impression that he doesn't believe John Coffey could commit such a terrible crime.

Del is another inmate in the green mile convicted of arson and murder. He has a pet mouse named Mr. Jingles that he has trained to do tricks. Paul also tells of "Billy the Kid", an inmate expected to arrive on "the green mile" soon that seems to be a "problem".

Percy Wetmore is a new guard to the green mile and he is a complete jerk. No one likes him, including the other officers, but he his related to the governor so the they have to take his crap. He seems to be an insecure man that gets satisfaction out of having some sort of authority.Brutal is another prison officer that works in the green mile. Paul also talks about the Warden and his wife Melinda, who has been very sick lately. They are not exactly sure what is wrong with Melinda, but she seems to be getting worse.