Dead Man Walking - Analysis of the Movie

Dead Man Walking - Analysis of the Movie

People in society today have changed their feelings towards humanity and religious practises. This change is seen clearly in the movie “Dead Man Walking.” The characters go through changes in their view of religion and their feelings about human morality and humanity towards each other. The characters of Sister Helen, Matthew, and the victims parents all went through these changes during the movie for different reasons.

These emotional changes that the characters went through are very common. Everyone changes their ideals and morals depending on their situation. Matthew’s ideals changed because he feared that he was going to die alone. Sister Helen’s feelings changed because she saw a side of Matthew that no one else was able to see. The parents of the victim “Hope” were filled with revenge because of what Matthew did, not why he did it. The father of the victim “Walter” was very sympathetic, he understanding of what Matthew was going through.

SISTER HELEN

Sister Helen was very unsure about what she was doing in life. She became a nun to give back to the community which gave her good Christian morals and values. By becoming a nun she was able to teach others to respect life and become more like Jesus (A Son of God). As a child Sister Helen was taught to be very supportive and to give this support to those who needed her help.

When confronted with Matthew, Sister Helen tries to see the good in him and show him the respect she believes he deserves. She believes that there is good in all man and that every person deserves respect. Sister Helen understands that what Matthew did was wrong, but she also knows that every person is worth more than their worst act, and that ,“No man deserves to die . . .”. In Sister Helen’s mind every man deserves a chance. From insight into her background and Christian upbringing Sister Helen is able to see and feel for Matthew as a person and not as an object of “...scum or as a monster...”.

The media’s understanding and the victims parents understanding is that Sister Helen believes that Matthew was wronged by the system. They feel like they have been betrayed by a God’s messenger (Sister Helen). To them Sister Helen is on Matthew’s side by helping him find God. Sister Helen is being torn apart because she does no want to hurt anyone’s feelings. She is compassionate and sympathetic to everyone’s feelings, but does not mean to hurt any by her actions of helping a murderer find God.

At the end of the movie Sister Helen wants Matthew to see a face of love (Hers) not one of hate and resentment (The Victims Parents). This means a lot to her because she has seen Matthew the person no longer Matthew the monster. Sister Helen felt compassionate towards Matthew because of the person he had become through getting to know her and understand what she believed and wanted.

MATTHEW

At the beginning of the movie Matthew is rude and abrupt to Sister Helen that’s what happens on death row, “... you start to hate and resent everyone.” Matthew never thought that he would