Analytical Essay: Pandora's Box Divided

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When we act like animals, we lose our sense of reason. Mankind fails to realize that it is because of our irrational and senseless judgment that the universe seems to be out of our favor at all times. Deputy McGee confesses, “I don’t think you should have opened Pandora’s box in the first place” (467). Greek mythology proposes that “Pandora’s box” was a large jar given to the first human woman, which contained all the evils of the world. She curiously opened the jar and accidentally unleashed everything, introducing the world to sin. This allusion is a direct comparison to Paul’s situation; he was curious about the towering black man the second he entered E-block. Puzzled by Coffey’s tears and fear of the dark, Paul investigated the case, which led him to learn that the man was actually innocent. …show more content…

Now that Paul knows about Coffey’s innocence, it is his obligation and duty to expose the truth and set him free. Paul essentially opened Pandora’s box when he decided to look more into Coffey’s case. The act may have seemed small and unimportant, but if Paul put his all into proving Coffey’s innocence, the end results could have saved the man’s life. It does not make sense to watch a man you know is innocent die right before your eyes and not do a single thing about it. The ongoing dilemma Paul and the other guards had of whether or not Coffey was going to be executed confirms that their reasoning is weak and distorted. Paul ponders, “That it was my job? “My job?” (488). He repeats the word “job” twice and emphasizes it the second time to show that his reasoning is ridiculous. A job should never interfere with morals and is a petty reason to follow orders. The point of an electric chair is to banish potential danger to society and protect the

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