Analysis Of A Death In Texas

A Death in Texas

In 1982, the state of Texas became the first jurisdiction in the world to carry out an execution by lethal injection. Leaving many in the US and around the world to voice their opinion of should the death penalty be a form of punishment for taking the life of someone. Individuals who are against the death penalty argue, that putting someone to death continues the cycle of senseless murdering. However, others who are for the death penalty argues that those who take a life should face the consequences of committing a murder. In the short story A Death in Texas, Steve Earle tells of the life, the murders committed and the execution of his friend Jonathan Noble on

In retelling the story of his friendships to Noble and his experience of death row, Earle does not outright makes his disagreement for the death penalty known. Earle informs the audience of the reasons why his friend shouldn’t be put to death, and the transformation he has made in the past twelve years. Earle recalls his story while he visits Noble in prison. Earle will be allowed to visit with Noble for six days spanning a two week time frame. These two friends are allowed to visit about past events and say their final goodbyes before the execution of

Judge Bob Jones sentenced Noble to be executed. He has awaited execution for twelve years. Earle struggles with saying goodbye to his friend because of the transformation his friend has made. Steve Earle has witness the rehabilitation of his friend over the past ten years through various dialogue they’d shared in letters. Noble is now considered to be respected by most staff and inmates in prison. This is due to his converting to Catholicism and becoming a Dominican after befriending the Catholic clergy. He would become instrumental in different services lead by the Catholic clergy including helping with mass and baptisms. Noble begin to share his transformation with his fellow inmates by preaching to them the Catholic faith. Earle believes that Noble has made such in impact on the lives of the people who are inmates and those who are workers at the prison. He thinks that executing Jon will not bring back the lives of those he murdered. However, allowing the good that he is now will help make a difference and change someone else from committing the same