An Analysis Of 'Last Meals'

Today We Eat Like Kings: An Analysis of “Last Meals” In “Last Meals”, which appeared in Lapham’s Quarterly, Brett Cunningham focuses on pointing out the contradiction of the age-old tradition of the last meal. He argues that, “The idea of a meal before an execution is compassionate or perverse, depending on your perspective, but it contains an inherently curious paradox: marking the end of a life with the stuff that sustains it seems at once laden with meaning and beside the point” (Cunningham, para. 6). His tone, syntax and, word choice as well as current and historical anecdotes not only adequately support his argument but forces readers to examine how we as a society use empty gestures to distance ourselves from unpleasant realities.

He is able to capitalize on the public’s fascination in his article by describing the ritual and crime that resulted in the death sentence. Cunningham starts by telling the story of Margarethe Brandt, convicted of killing her infant daughter prepared for her execution. She sat down for the Hangman’s Meal, an extravagant dinner with six local officials and judges but only managed to have a glass of water. Had she committed the crime in a neighboring country she would have been treated to a drink in her cell with the man set to behead her (Cunningham, para. 7). Scholars suggest the first meal may have originated in Greece, and Gladiators were fed a feast before their date in the Colosseum. In London, better off prisoners were treated to a party with friends and family (Cunningham, para. 9). There is no first meal recorded for George Kendall the first man killed in the new world (Cunningham, para. 13). Cunningham uses these examples to show there is no real ritual to the last meal that its more of a gesture given to the

The writer is of the opinion that the Last Meal gives the impression of an impartial or compassionate prison staff. Cunningham states, “Messy and raucous public executions fell out of favor with the more refined sensibilities of the upper and middle classes, and ideas of man’s ability for moral improvement fueled opposition to the death penalty (Cunningham, para. 14).” He argues that society is interested in rehabilitation rather that retribution at this time. The author use of adjectives like “raucous” and “choreographed” to describe the evolved capital punishment process gives a clear impression of what side of the debate he is on. As the capital punishment debate continues so will the public’s interest in last