How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
Vernon is crying. Elizabeth, recounting the gruesome details, does not cry. Somehow she's found a way to leach out the horror. Their daughter's badly decomposed body was nude, supine, legs spread-eagled. (6.122)
This is a very painful scene, as Vernon and Elizabeth tell Prejean about how their daughter Faith was found murdered. The book insists that you feel compassion for their plight, and not just for that of the men being executed. It challenges you, in fact, to feel compassion for both. Can readers manage that? Is Prejean betraying Vernon and Elizabeth by arguing for Robert's life?
Quote #11
"What about our rights? Don't we have a right to see this chapter closed?" (6.132)
Compassion shifts to talk of rights. The question, though, is whether rights can be an adequate response to pain. Can justice provide Vernon with a sense of closure? Is revenge a compassionate solution, in the sense that it will help those who suffer? Vernon thinks it will; Prejean is not so sure.
Quote #12
"Violence is such a simplistic solution," I say. "Like these people trying to kill you now. What is your execution going to accomplish other than show that the state of Louisiana can be as violent as you were?" (9.98)
Prejean is trying to convince Robert that violence is not a good solution to world problems. Robert's politics are very confused, but he likes the idea of strong solutions and strong leaders—you know, like Hitler. It's not clear that he ever really changes his mind. Pat seems really remorseful at the end of his life, and he seems to want to choose a path away from violence. Robert… it's not so clear. He's a hard guy to love (though Prejean gives it a try).