Green Mile

The Green Mile has a huge connection to the seven Catholic social teachings. The first one, human life and dignity, is very evident in the Green Mile. The main connection with this one is how Tom Hank’s character cares about John Coffey. Many people would not care or even given a second look to someone who is in prison and on death row but Paul, the guard, gets close to him. He ends up really caring about John Coffey and believes he is innocent. It shows human life and dignity because when he has to execute him, he believes he is going to hell and can’t live with what he has done. The film overall brings up the debate of capital punishment. To truly have respect for human life you cannot be in favor of the death penalty. This movie show how terribly cruel it can be to all involved.

The Green Mile relates to call to family when John Coffey helps all the people. He does not have to do anything and he knows nothing will let him out but he still does the right things to help the people around him. He helps Paul and then the warden’s sick, dying wife. This film gives a message of how we should act to others around us.

Paul really understood his rights as part of God’s creation. He knew all His gifts and respected them. He knew he had the responsibility to try to let people know that he thinks John was innocent. It also shows the contrast on how Percy acts and how he is the opposite of what we as Catholics are supposed to be.

The Green Mile really represents the poor and vulnerable with all the people in the prison. Paul does everything he can to John, who has less than everyone else and, on death row, in a very vulnerable state. John Coffey also shows it when he helps the vulnerable such as Paul, the dead mouse...

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... and standing up for your beliefs. However, that can be very difficult in today’s society. There are many judgmental people out there who will try to disrespect you if you stand up for your beliefs. People today are tending to back away from religion especially in politics where it can play a huge influence on the world. Some people are afraid to stand out with their faith so they just blend in. That is not being a Christian Leader. To be a leader, you have to stand out and stand up for your faith to make a difference. You have to have courage to be a leader. It is going to be difficult but that is part of growing into it. I believe I have already started on the path to become a Christian Leader and am very close to becoming a good leader. Once I accomplish that, I really want to make a difference in the world because there are many things that need changed.