The Conflict Between Good and Evil

The novel presents a stark contrast between the inherent goodness of John Coffey and the evil of characters like Percy and Wharton, yet blurs the lines.

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Coffey's Goodness

A Pure Soul The Healer Coffey uses his power to help others. He heals Paul, the mouse, and Melinda. He never harms anyone. The Childlike Nature Coffey is afraid of the dark. He cries easily. He is innocent despite his size. The Sacrifice Coffey accepts his death. He is tired of the world's pain. His goodness is a contrast to the evil around him.

Percy's Evil

A Cruel Heart The Bully Percy torments prisoners and guards alike. He kills the mouse and sabotages the execution. He enjoys causing pain. The Coward Percy is a coward. He freezes when Wharton attacks. He uses his connections to avoid consequences. The Punishment Percy is driven insane by Coffey. His evil is punished, but not by justice. The novel suggests that evil destroys itself.

The Blurred Lines

Moral Ambiguity Paul's Complicity Paul is a good man, but he participates in executions. He knows Coffey is innocent but still pulls the switch. The System's Evil The prison system is evil, but the people within it are not all evil. The novel shows how ordinary people become complicit. The Question of Evil Wharton is evil, but he is also a product of his environment. The novel does not offer easy answers.

Throughout the novel

Throughout the novel

Throughout the novel