Paper
Reflection on Dead Man Walking
I have taken a most hesitated step from my world of serene tranquility to one of complete judgment and sin. I transgressed away from the petty feelings of unwarranted hate and suspended myself within the realms of cold-hearted, revengeful disgust. I left behind my familiar world and suspiciously entered the broken life of Matthew Poncelat. I evolved from stereotypical feelings of judgment to understandable feelings of hate and disgrace. From the sidelines, I have witnessed Matthew Poncelat’s faith unfold through the arms of the American government. I saw with my own two eyes, a ‘dead man walking,’ and from here on in my life with never be the same again.
In all honesty, my friends and I lounged about a large auditorium merrily fixated on a large-screen, tube TV. We took advantage of the ‘movie hour,’ which replaced Social Justice for approximately three class periods, and innocently relaxed on the cold tiled floor. What I did not know was that my life would be altered forever and that my outlook on the world would seemingly change. My eyes fixated on the movie screen, while my heart, soul, and mind slowly began to wander into the life of a murderer, but more importantly, a human-being.
Dead Man Walking truly captivated my conscience and made me think about the controversial standing of Capital Punishment. The movie appropriately portrayed two sides of the coin. Not only were we enlightened by Sr. Helen’s compassion for Matthew, but we were also witnesses to the overwhelming feelings of grief and despair experienced by the parents of the innocent victims of Poncelat’s crime.
Sr. Helen, unfamiliar with the life of death-row inmate, Matthew Poncelat, willingly decides to serve as his counselor of faith. She almost acts as a spiritual guide, enlightening Matthew to the grace and mercy of God. Matthew who originally rejects God’s grace, is slowly touched by Sr. Helen’s love. He develops a special relationship with this sister of faith and subdues to his hidden, formally unrecognized feelings of guilt. Matthew admits that he is guilty of the crime charged against him and seeks God’s forgiveness. Through these major interactions I developed a strong concern for Matthew and a feeling of hope for his life there on in. Unfortunately, he is put to death and forbidden the chance to resurrect himself through God’s faith and guidance. It is an emotional ordeal, the conversations between the two very different persons. I feel that through it all you sincerely get a deep understanding of Matthew’s rights as a human being, a mere creation of God. He admits to murdering and raping two very innocent people and nothing will ever make that right, yet, is it in the hands of the government to execute God’s creation out of punishment and sometimes even revenge?
On the other hand, it is also deeply touching to hear the stories of the victims parents. Witnessing their grief and excessive pain makes you wonder whether or not Matthew deserves to live? He not only took the life of two very innocent young people; he also stole the pride and joy of four proud parents. Matthew committed the most devastating act of sin possible; the parents of his victims do not even want to consider his life for the future. They want him executed as quickly as possible. Now, to put oneself in that position, that of mother and father, is practically impossible. They suffer an unbelievable amount of pain each and every waking moment of their lives.
Now again, we have to think about Matthew Poncelat’s family, his mother, his brothers, his daughter. Matthew was once an innocent, newborn baby. He is a creation of God, who made a serious mistake and he is truly sorry for his sins. As the Catholic Church teaches, every act of sin is forgiven through contrition and penance. God is ever-loving and grace-giving which means even the most evil person who becomes truly sorry for their sins may be forgiven.
The movie gave me a special impression of Sr. Helen. She seems like a truly compassionate person; but at the same time, she is evidently very human. Sometimes church leaders, priests, and nuns appear untouchable… or heavenly, superior. Sr. Helen preaches God’s love, she is a true disciple of God. She also is very human, experiencing feelings most prevalent in an ordinary life. She is torn between a love for Matthew and a love for the families of the innocent victims. As she exhibits, she takes advantage of the good she can do here on earth; being the couple is in heaven with God, she does what she can by instilling love in Matthew and therefore helping him recognize his guilt. He eventually realizes that all of creation is sacred, even his own.
Matthew at first seems stoic and incapable of experiencing God’s love. Through his interactions with Sr. Helen, he overcomes those superficial feelings expected from him by society. He breaks down and his true guilt and sorrow shine through. You can evidently see God’s love travel through his soul.
The movie Dead Man Walking has truly affected my view on Capital Punishment. I entered the world of a man on death row, and I now feel that society as a whole should come up with a more humane act of contrition. I don’t believe someone sorry for their sins should be revengefully put to death. We do not have the power to intentionally kill God’s creation in turn for a severe crime. Although it may be difficult to see through God’s eyes when someone you love is victim of a severe crime, it is important to consider all consequences. Sometimes it may be even more hurtful to live life knowing you took a major part of God’s creation. Instead of killing someone on the spot, why not have them suffer each and every waking moment. Being human, every criminal must have a bit of regret and sorrow deep within them, even if it is not easily noticeable. The death penalty is inhumane and against God’s will for creation. I believe it is important to continuously seek other methods of punishment. We as human beings do not have the right to take a life.
Другие работы по теме:
Home Burial Essay Research Paper In the
Home Burial Essay, Research Paper In the poem “Home Burial” by Robert Frost, it is easy to see both positive and negative aspects of both characters. I feel that Frost favors the man. Although he talks about how the man seems to not have feelings, the man actually does. The man feels sad for his dead child. He just goes about showing it in a different way.
The Dead Essay Research Paper The Dead1
The Dead Essay, Research Paper The Dead 1) Symbolic meaning of snow? a. Beginning when first enters Aunts house (warmth) he is out of the snow = coldness, isolation and inhumanity. But when enters the home he is surrounded with warmth and acceptance. Pages 10-11
Know Thyself Essay Research Paper How does
Know Thyself Essay, Research Paper How does one really know themselves? You could recognize the exterior and know your own reflection. Sure you are 6 2 with brown hair and eyes. Not a bad-looking individual. But you are not your physical characteristics but your spiritual ones. If you could look into something and see your internal reflection would you want to? What would you see? What would you learn? What would that something be? What could possibly dig deep into your soul and reveal your innermost person?
Algebra Essay Research Paper Determine and Apply
Algebra Essay, Research Paper Determine and Apply a Formula My topic for this assignment is was to determine the amount of people possible to cross a crosswalk during the time of the crosswalk?s walking symbols. To calculate this I made an algebraic equation to support my idea, and an example to support my equation.
Infrigments Of Our Contitutional Rights Essay Research
Paper Arrested for walking? yes it is true in America we are no longer free, but isnt that what our four fathers faught for? Let me ask you this if you were walking minding your own bussiness would you like to be stopped and harrased by an officer of the law, that is supposed to “Serve and Protect”? But it happens, and why may I ask you? They give no answer.
Philosophy Truth Essay Research Paper Truth That
Philosophy: Truth Essay, Research Paper Truth! That is a word that philosophers have been arguing about for a good while! Truth is a state of mind free of error, a state of mind, which is an accurate reflection of things in existence, of the things about you. Truth is unchangeable; it is ageless and constant.
John Locke Summary Essay Research Paper John
John Locke: Summary Essay, Research Paper John Locke: The Empiricist Theory of Knowledge: Summary Understanding and knowledge is what makes man superior to all other beings according to John Locke. However, the bounds of this understanding and knowledge are questionable. Is some knowledge innate? How certain can we be about beliefs and the knowledge we have? John Locke attempts to give some insight as to the answers of these questions in his work, The Empiricist Theory of Knowledge.
Kierkegaard Essay Research Paper Kierkegaard felt that
Kierkegaard Essay, Research Paper Kierkegaard felt that subjective reflection was more crucial to the individual life than objective reflection because it focused on passion and human existence instead of logic and impersonal truth. The objective world is the world of facts and truth independent of the perceptions of humans.
Walking Across Egypt
– Character Analasys Of Mattie Rigsbee Essay, Research Paper Walking Across Egypt Mattie Rigsbee, from Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton, is an extremely unique person. She is very bona
Walking Around Essay Research Paper Walking AroundPablo
Walking Around Essay, Research Paper Walking Around Pablo Neruda gives us a good example of Vanguard Literature in his poem Walking Around. We can see the influence of surrealism in the poem because it does not rhyme at all, instead is an effort to express feelings and emotions in a free style. We can also see the existentialism idea as Neruda is bold and tells us everything that is in his mind.
Critical Essay On The Pedestrian Used A
Lot In England) Essay, Research Paper Critical essay Fifty-three years from now a writer is taken to a psychiatric centre for help because he was walking along the streets. In this essay I will be considering the image of the future created in this short story by analysing the plot, setting, character and theme.
Reflection Rap Essay Research Paper On my
Reflection Rap Essay, Research Paper On my neck, I still got marks from the day I was born. As a shorty, I always had to get scorned. I couldn?t have been more of a prick as a thorn. A bad report card-before it reached home it got torn. I didn?t know if I should be soft or hardcore, like porn. I stomped on authority, like a mat for a door.
The Woods Essay Research Paper The WoodsAbout
The Woods Essay, Research Paper The Woods About four years ago I went to Phelps, Wisconsin with my friend, Tim, and his mom to visit his grandfather. We quickly found out that there was not much to do in Phelps. The nearest grocery store was thirty minutes away. The only thing to do in town was to go fishing and because we did not have a boat our fishing was very limited.
Mohandes Gandhi Essay Research Paper Gandhi Reflection
Mohandes Gandhi Essay, Research Paper Gandhi Reflection: The Life of Gandhi My view on Gandhi’s life is that of respect. It is truly amazing to see such a person devote his whole life to one certain cause, while capturing the attention of the whole world. After seeing what started Gandhi’s life long journey, one must wonder why such an incident would make him change his whole life.
Songs For The Pearl Essay Research Paper
The Pearl Essay #8 I think this song well describes the feeling in the Book The Pearl at the time when Kino and Juana were walking home from the hill with a rifle and their dead baby, the song shows their pain, and they, in a sense are taking their lives on the ?otherside? (title of song) because once such a life influencing change is made in your life like that you are trapped on the ?otherside? of life and society, you are now the center of attention because of the way your life has so much changed.
Dead Man Walking- The Morality Of Capital
Punishment Essay, Research Paper ‘I know that it is not a question of malice or ill will or meanness of spirit that prompts our citizens to support executions. It is quite simply that people don’t know the truth about what is really going on’ (p. 197). This passage, found in the book “Dead Man Walking”, written by Sister Helen Prejean, speaks directly about the theme of this book: the morality of Capital Punishment.
Reel One Poem MultiReading Reaction Paper Essay
, Research Paper M. Anderson ?Reel One? 1st reading This poem is about a boy and girl who have been to see a movie. As they are walking home the boy is struck by the difference between the bright colors and high-tech sound effects of the movie, and the white snow that he sees on the walk home. He also comments on the silence, the ?sound track so dead.? He uses strong images to describe the intensity of the movie, like ?bones whistled? and ?screen shook with fire.? He seems impressed by the effects of the movie, as he says ?like life only better.? It seems a ?let-down? to him to be walking home in the quiet, white snow.
Walking And Driving Essay Research Paper Walking
Walking And Driving Essay, Research Paper Walking and Driving Walking is the motion of exerting energy. Driving is the usage of the foot to accelerate from the gas to the break or vice versa. How does walking compare to driving? Which one of the two gives a good feeling afterwards? Is there even a difference between walking and driving?
Christianity And Islam Essay Research Paper Christianity
Christianity And Islam Essay, Research Paper Christianity, Islam, Judaism February 6th This day on Febuary the sixth, was started off with slides. The first slide represents Christianity. The picture was of a group of people walking and carrying crosses walking along the path that Jesus took. The second slide was a slide of the Kabah.
Exercise Essay Research Paper The time has
Exercise Essay, Research Paper The time has come. You realize and decide that you need to exercise. You have many options. Walking would be your best bet. Most Americans in today?s society do not get enough exercise in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Going for a walk could help you loose weight, get in shape, and is a lot of fun.
Reflection Essay Essay Research Paper My Reflection
Reflection Essay Essay, Research Paper My Reflection EssayBeing the billionth paper that I wrote in this class, I thought my observational essay was pretty good. It had decent wording in it, consisted of many different techniques of writing, and was just overall well written.To write this paper, I started a week in advance.
The Dead Child Essay Research Paper An
The Dead Child Essay, Research Paper An overview of the short story “The Dead Child” The Dead Child written by Gabrielle Roy is a story about how an young inexperienced substitute teacher helps her students to deal with the death of their peer-Yolande. The story takes place in a small Metis villege in Manitoba on a summer day in June during The Great Depression.
Echo Essay Research Paper Echo was a
Echo Essay, Research Paper Echo was a nymph who lived in the forest. She romped and played with all of her fellow nymphs. One day she came across a beautifull man named Narcissus. At first she was scared of him, but soon grew quite attached. The gods looked down upon an infatuated Narcissus with disdain. They sentenced him and his new love to horrible fates.
English Essay Research Paper She stood there
English Essay, Research Paper She stood there, staring in disbelief at her reflection. Could the person looking back at her from the mirror really be herself? She ran her fingers through her long dark
The Little Girl Essay Research Paper Her
The Little Girl Essay, Research Paper Her parents never took young girls to church, Never spoke of his name, Never read her his words, Two non-beleivers walking lost in this world,
Frankenstien The Book Essay Research Paper Journal
Frankenstien The Book Essay, Research Paper Journal Chap. 24-end # 17 The end of the novel was left very open. I felt as though there is no conclusion. Where is the sequel? I think that Walton will not continue Victors quest to see the monster dead. The monster only had one reason to live, and that was to make Victor s life a living hell.
Look At Myself In The Mirror Essay
, Research Paper When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Evil or good? When I look at in the mirror, I see the art, the way the natural expresses the human beings; the way nature expresses the imagines. Look in the mirror shows the reflection of the object, imagine is the favor of all the artists, art is the expression of all the imagines; art is the reflection of the object.
Reflection As Revision Essay Research Paper Reflection
Reflection As Revision Essay, Research Paper Reflection as RevisionAll through life I have always been told by people that it’s quality not quantity that matters. I cannot even remember the first time I heard it. If I only had a dollar for every time I was told that. If ever asked for the ultimate clichi, I would have to say quality not quantity.
MS Power Point Essay Research Paper Reflection
MS Power Point Essay, Research Paper Reflection on MS Power Point The Microsoft Power Point presentation that we just completed was a fun project. I learned how to set up Power Point slides while infiltrating animation and sound.