The Green Mile Hero's Journey

Feeling trapped in reality is rarely a good feeling, especially when an individual fears the past and the future. While the dream to escape may seem impossible, sometimes a simple distraction is able to change one’s mindset. In the film, The Green Mile, adapted from the novel by Stephen King, a mouse named Mr. Jingles faces rejection from the guards of a death row. Somehow, the perspective changes and Mr. Jingles becomes a symbol of hope for not only the inmates but the guards as well. Mr. Jingles’ arrival reveals how a readily accepted presence in a confined environment may distract an individual from their dreaded reality, ultimately creating an attachment that allows them to appreciate a newfound hope and freedom. Initially, Mr. Jingles

Jingles’ presence. Specifically, his death brings the members of the death row together as they confront Percy’s unwarranted act of killing Mr. Jingles. The hearts of the men are shattered after Mr. Jingles’ death, causing Del’s body to shake in anger. The peace Mr. Jingles had brought to The Green Mile is destroyed after his death, suggesting the bond he created between the guards and the inmates. The men dispute against Percy and violence rises once again, revealing how Mr. Jingles is the only spirit that is able to balance the chaos of the death row. Additionally, Mr. Jingles’ revival further strengthens the connection between the members of prison, as Paul is quick to ask for John’s help. The cheer shared after Mr. Jingles’ revival proves his role as a connector between all of the men. The men celebrate together, as Mr. Jingles is able to roam the death row after his magical revival. Further, as the elderly Paul brings his friend Elaine to a cabin in the woods, they encounter an aged Mr. Jingles. Paul explains that John injected him and Mr. Jingles with life. This conveys that even after John’s overwhelming death, Mr. Jingles still acts as a rope that connects the members of the death row many years later. On the whole, Mr. Jingles’ presence manipulates the past tension between the guards and inmates into a long-lasting