'The Innocent Man' is the first work of non-fiction by the celebrated author John Grisham. Here is an account of the book in my words, to share with those who have gone through the book.
The first question that arises is: how do we define an innocent man? Is innocence dependant on the not so flawless law? The fact is that a person can be innocent irrespective of his conviction by the court. A condemned convict can be innocent and the one freed from the charges can be a guilty. Till date many innocent men may have been hanged. As we start reading the book we feel as if we are reading the life story of a would-be criminal himself - his lifestyle, his habits, his misdeeds. Ron seems to be the fit candidate for this murder charge. His case is an example of a life gone awry, a life that might have bloomed. As Christopher Marlowe says in his drama 'Doctor Faustus':
The first question that arises is: how do we define an innocent man? Is innocence dependant on the not so flawless law? The fact is that a person can be innocent irrespective of his conviction by the court. A condemned convict can be innocent and the one freed from the charges can be a guilty. Till date many innocent men may have been hanged. As we start reading the book we feel as if we are reading the life story of a would-be criminal himself - his lifestyle, his habits, his misdeeds. Ron seems to be the fit candidate for this murder charge. His case is an example of a life gone awry, a life that might have bloomed. As Christopher Marlowe says in his drama 'Doctor Faustus':
"Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight,
And burned is Apollo's laurel bough,
That sometime grew within this learned man."
And burned is Apollo's laurel bough,
That sometime grew within this learned man."
But as we read forward our sympathy lies with Ron and Dennis. They are helpless at their trial. There is no physical evidence against them - all the evidence is either fabricated or flimsy.
The description of the life of Ron and Dennis in jail is pathetic. Our heart goes out to them. Ron's yelling about his innocence is heart-rending. The behaviour of the guards towards him incites anger in us -- not only their teasing him but also giving him strong medicines to keep him quiet. These had negative effect on Ron's health.
The intelligence of Dennis has also been highlighted. He studied law when he was in
jail. The years spent by Ron while he was on death row were the most difficult ones. Any sane man could have gone mad.
The description of the life of Ron and Dennis in jail is pathetic. Our heart goes out to them. Ron's yelling about his innocence is heart-rending. The behaviour of the guards towards him incites anger in us -- not only their teasing him but also giving him strong medicines to keep him quiet. These had negative effect on Ron's health.
The intelligence of Dennis has also been highlighted. He studied law when he was in
jail. The years spent by Ron while he was on death row were the most difficult ones. Any sane man could have gone mad.
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