The Execution of Arlen Bitterbuck

The Green Mile

The first execution depicted in detail, showing the ritual and the humanity of the condemned man, setting the stage for later events.

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Bearing strength in each event

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Bitterbuck's Last Day Bitterbuck's Last Day from "The Green Mile". The Chief's Farewell The Visit Arlen Bitterbuck, a Cherokee elder, spends his last hours with his family. His daughter braids his hair.

Bitterbuck's Last Day from "The Green Mile". The Chief's Farewell The Visit Arlen Bitterbuck, a Cherokee elder, spends his last hours with his family. His daughter braids his hair.

The Chief's Farewell The Visit Arlen Bitterbuck, a Cherokee elder, spends his last hours with his family. His daughter braids his hair. He is calm and dignified. The Walk Bitterbuck walks the Green Mile without resistance. He prays with Brother Schuster. Paul encourages him to show the witnesses how a Washita dies. The Execution The execution is routine. Bitterbuck dies quickly. Paul notes the smell and the smoke. It is a "good" execution, but it still disturbs him.

The Rehearsal with Toot-Toot The Rehearsal with Toot-Toot from "The Green Mile". A Macabre Practice Toot-Toot's Role Old Toot-Toot, a trusty, acts as the stand-in for rehearsals. He jokes and plays the fool, but his humor is unsettling.

The Rehearsal with Toot-Toot from "The Green Mile". A Macabre Practice Toot-Toot's Role Old Toot-Toot, a trusty, acts as the stand-in for rehearsals. He jokes and plays the fool, but his humor is unsettling.

A Macabre Practice Toot-Toot's Role Old Toot-Toot, a trusty, acts as the stand-in for rehearsals. He jokes and plays the fool, but his humor is unsettling. The Procedure The guards practice the clamping, the cap, and the switch. Percy is in the switch room, watching. The rehearsal is efficient but grim. The Mouse Watches During the rehearsal, the mouse appears in the doorway, watching. It is a strange omen.

July 17, 1932

Day before Bitterbuck's execution, July 16, 1932