and/or codes of conduct. From Hammurabi's "eye for an eye" to the some Middle Eastern

countries' practice of amputating the hands of thieves, many of these punishments involve violence

and pain. Some governmental systems are willing to execute those convicted of the worst crimes.

The United States of America is one of the countries which feels comfortable with killing its own

citizens. The Chamber by John Grisham deals, in detail, with the subject of capital punishment.

This novel forces its readers to seriously consider the consequences of the death penalty,

especially in the broken, lumbering legal system existing today in the United States. The book

discusses almost every possible argument against capital punishment. The character who is set to die

innocent people will die. With the death penalty, there is no way to "take it back" if a mistake is

One issue not brought up in The Chamber is that the racial makeup of death row inmates

Another issue which brings the death penalty into question is the supposed Christian basis

childish revenge or for the so-called "deterrent factor."

an age of universal compassion and forgiveness. It is hard to believe that, in a society where so many

placed, but had no idea that his accomplice had set the timer so that it would explode while people

whether execution is giving a criminal the "easy way out." Sam says he is happy that he will be

r, Sam Cayhall, is a textbook example of most of them.

were in the building. Sam simply wanted to blow up an empty building to send his message of racial

Some common words found in the essay are:
Sam Cayhall, John Grisham, Middle Eastern, Capital Punishment, United America, capital punishment, death penalty, racial makeup, legal system, death row,
Approximate Word count = 600
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)