Dead Man Walking is a political book: after all, Prejean's effort to abolish the death penalty is a political goal. So in some ways, you could say that Prejean has a positive attitude toward political engagement, right?
Well, yes—but the fact is that politics is also a totally depressing and messy business, and oh, boy, do we get to see politics at its worst when it comes to the death penalty. The fact that the death penalty is such a charged political issue is part of why it's administered so badly. District Attorneys want to push through executions to bolster their careers; governors want to avoid pardons, even when they suspect the convict is innocent, because it might hurt their chances of reelection. Convicted felons have little political power or appeal, so it's politically easier to execute them than not to—even if there's good reason to think they might be innocent.
Prejean's book is an effort to change all of this, to make sure there is some political cost to electrocuting a human being. You'd think there would be already… but politics is an ugly thing.
Questions About Politics
- Why does Prejean believe that nuns should be involved in social issues and politics? Do you agree with her?
- What political methods does Prejean use in the book to try to change the death penalty?
- Is Marsellus a lone bad apple? Or does his corruption indicate there are serious problems with the political treatment of the death penalty? Explain your answer.
Chew on This
Politics is why the death penalty is unjustly applied.
Politics is the only way to eliminate the death penalty.