In part two we are told about Delacroix and his arrival to Green Mile. He came before John Coffey and was brought in by Percy Wetmore. Right away Percy is beating Delacroix before Percy even gets Delacroix to his cell. Percy says that Delacroix was trying to fill him up, which was a complete lie. Percy just wanted an excuse to beat Delacroix. The other guards then jumped in and stopped Percy from beating on Delacroix. That kind of behavior in not tolerated on Green Mile. Shortly after Delacroix gets there the mouse that had been seen on Green Mile, named steam boat Willy by the guards became Delacroix pet. There is something special about this mouse and he is attached to Delacroix who names him Mr. Jingles. During this time Paul Edgecomb is suffering from a terrible UTI which is causing him serve pain when he pees. He doesn’t want to seek treatment for the UTI, instead opting to wait it out and letting it go away on its own. John Coffey then “heals” Paul’s UTI infection by laying his hands on him. Paul says he can feel the pain leave his body and is completely healed. Paul is dumb founded by what John Coffey did and isn’t sure what to make of it. William Wharton is brought into the Green Mile and starts fighting with the guards as he is fixing to reach the Green Mile. William almost kills the guard Dean and Percy is just standing there watching everything happen. Percy doesn’t jump in to help or just his baton that he is constantly showing off. His lack of action shows just how cowardly he is. Dean gets help and is okay after all. William is now known for his wild behavior and ends up in the solitary confinement a few times for bad behavior. Paul learns about Warden Moore wife brain tumor and finds out she is dying. She doesn’t have long to live and Warden Moore is taking the news hard. Paul is still thinking about John Coffey and is wondering how someone who seems so gentle and kind could be a killer. Paul goes to talk to the reporter of the newspaper about the John Coffey case. I think Paul’s doubt about whether or not John Coffey actually killed those kids is brought upon John Coffey “healing” him. Back on Green Mile, Percy Wetmore gets assaulted by William, as Percy is walking to close to his cell and William grabs him through the bars. William basically assaults Percy and tells him these derogatory remarks about what sexual things he would like to do to Percy. Percy being the coward that he is; is terrified by William and his comments. Percy is fine and no physical harm is done to him, but he pees his pants in the process. Delacroix takes advantage of this and basically laughs and makes fun of Percy for peeing his self. Percy is very upset. A few nights later Percy kills Mr. Jingles by crushing him with his boot right in front of Delacroix.
The social issues that I see is certainly the homophobia of gays or gay acts. Percy uses the excuse that Delacroix was trying to “touch” him, so that Percy can beat Delacroix. And then William basically assaults Percy with threats of homosexual acts. Again, the racism of black people is present and I believe will continue to be throughout the book.