Prejean, Helen: *1939

Dead Man Walking, 1993 - Thematic Parallels: Death Penalty

Prejean, Helen: Dead Man Walking, 1993
The book raises deep ethical questions about whether the state should have the right to take a life and how society should deal with crime, guilt, and mercy.
The following books are thematically simliar. Having read "Dead Man Walking," the following texts lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Clark, Brian: Whose Life Is It Anyway?, 1978, ~80pp
  This play explores ethical dilemmas around life, death, and personal autonomy, focusing on a paralyzed man’s legal fight for the right to die. Like “Dead Man Walking,” it confronts questions about the value of life and the role of the state in life-and-death decisions.
  Both stories deal with life-and-death decisions involving the state or institutional control over individual life—whether it's the right to end one's own life or the state's right to take it. They force the audience to confront uncomfortable truths and recognize the complex moral landscapes of their characters' situations. .
- D’Aguiar, Fred: Feeding the Ghosts, 1997, ~130pp
  This novel deals with the aftermath of a slave ship revolt and explores themes of justice, guilt, and the value of human life, much like “Dead Man Walking” examines the morality of capital punishment and the justice system.
  Both texts confront systemic injustice—slavery and the death penalty—and expose how institutions rationalize or justify dehumanization. They ask: "What does justice look like in the face of immense suffering? And can there be redemption after inhumanity?"
- Lee, Harper: To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960, ~300pp
  This novel addresses themes of capital punishment, racial injustice, and moral conscience. It explores the flaws and biases in the justice system, much like "Dead Man Walking" examines the morality and application of the death penalty.
  Both texts question whether the legal system is truly just, especially for marginalized or socially stigmatized individuals. They feature a journey from innocence to awareness, learning uncomfortable truths about society and the human condition.
- Souad: Burned Alive, 2003, ~220pp
  This autobiography recounts the true story of a woman who survives an attempted honor killing. It deals with issues of extreme punishment, justice, and the value of human life in the face of societal and legal norms.
  Both books critically examine systems that claim to deliver justice but instead perpetuate violence and inequality—"Burned Alive" through cultural norms, "Dead Man Walking" through institutional law. Both texts force readers to confront uncomfortable ethical questions and reflect on the role of empathy and moral responsibility in addressing violence.
List of general discussion questions on Death Penalty (pdf)
List of essay prompts on Death Penalty (pdf)