The inspiring yet controversial book, Dead Man Walking, by Sister Helen Prejean, introduces a slew of topics to think about when scrutinizing capitol punishment. Sister Prejean, a skilled social worker of the church, had devoted her life to trying to better the lives of the less fortunate. However, her area of expertise soon changed when she was asked to be a pen pal for a convicted killer on death row and accepted. She focused her efforts towards the abolishment of the death penalty after becoming emotionally attached to the convict. However her efforts did not resolve the death penalty, she was able to improve the treatment of death row inmates. She was also introduced into a world which she had never seen before. It was a world that was once silent in voices of the nation, and because of her actions it no longer remains a whisper in the dark. Because of Prejean's new experiences she was introduced to an appalling, deceitful, and shameful world. However, she found herself feeling sorry for these murderers and set her self on a path to preserve their lives. During this crusade, she passed gradually over from the age of innocence to the uncertain world of understanding.
The transition from the age of innocence to the age of experience is traversed differently by all people because of different situations as a result from the human condition. When I say the age of innocence I am referring to every human being's status when they are brought into the world. When referring to the age of knowledge, it is every human being's status when introduced to corruption and embedded in the commonly referred circumstances known as the human condition. In Pat Sonnier's case, he was introduced to the world of corruption and hate very early in life. Sonnier's background and Prejean's background differ immensely, as well as their chosen professions. Sonnier's position then enables Prejean to understand the aspect of life that very few face, and she then is exposed to his experience to hatred and confusion.
