start for assignment-madison

   1. John Coffey and Jesus Christ:
Novel Fact: John Coffey is a prisoner, an innocent, and he is being taken to the electric chair. Racism and false accusations render Coffey oppressed. Despite being falsely accused Coffey never harbors any bitter feelings and heals those around him.
Novel Quote: “I'm alright boss,” he said, still leaning with his forehead against the wild roses. His eyes remained closed. I'm not sure how he knew I was there, but he clearly did. “Honest I am. See to the lady.”
(We can see from the above quote that Coffey harbors no bitter feelings even though he is to be executed by the very people he helps.)

Biblical Reference: Jesus was innocent and was the perfect sacrifice. Despite being tortured he continued to not speak against his abusers.
Scripture: Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.

2.  John Coffey heals like Jesus does:
Novel Fact: Coffey has the ability to heal those who are ill. He often drains the illness from others despite the fact that he harms himself in the process.
Novel Quote: “John went on barking those choked coughs. His eyes were wet, not with tears but with strain.”
(The above quote was after Coffey healed Melly Moores; we can see that it had a dire effect on him)

Biblical Reference: Jesus often practiced miracles and healed others; his ultimate sacrifice saved many while killing him.
Scripture: Isaiah 53:4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

3.  Flies are used to represent sickness in The Green Mile, and are a sign of evil in the Bible:
Novel Fact: Coffey has the ability to heal those who are ill. He often drains the illness from others despite the fact that he harms himself in the process.
Novel Quote:

Biblical Reference: Jesus feels a woman in the crowd touch the hem of his robes and feels his energy release from him.  While he was touched multiple times in the crowd as he walked by being bumped around by other people, he sensed the deliberateness of her touch to his robes.  She believed that by touching him she would be healed. Like Coffey, he feels his energy being drained from him.
Scripture: Luke 8:40-48 “someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

4.) John Coffey wept as if he were “was in sorrow for the whole world.” (page 119 TGM)
 Novel Fact: Paul Edgecombe notes that he has heard many of the inmates crying in remorse but with John Coffey it was different.  He says of John Coffey's grief, “in a way it was as if it was sorrow for the whole world he felt, something too big to ever be completely eased.”
Biblical Reference: Jesus praying in the Mount of Olives for the world and that if it was God's will, that he wouldn't have to go through this.  He knew he would be carrying the pain of the whole world when he was to be sacrificed.  He told God “My father,  if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”  Matthew 26:36-56

5.)