Dead Man Walking Guilt and Blame Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Yes, yes, apologize. As weak and ineffective and futile as your words of remorse and sorrow may seem, say them. (2.146)

Prejean is wishing that she'd said this to Eddie. Again, she kind of doesn't know what she's doing. She only learns later how important it is for the victims' families to have the killer apologize and acknowledge his guilt. So she ends up feeling guilty about not having Pat acknowledge that he feels guilty. Guilt: once it starts, it just keeps on going.

Quote #5

Such powerlessness before his executioners is one thing, but in the hands of his attorneys too? I feel terrible that I followed Millard's judgment without question. (4.39)

Prejean feels bad here because she didn't fight for Pat's right to be at his own Pardon Board hearing. Basically, it's a bureaucratic slip-up—but even bureaucratic slip-ups start to look like a huge moral deal when someone is about to be executed.

Quote #6

"We're all complicit. Government can only continue killing if we give it the power. It's time to take that power back." (5.80)

Prejean is arguing that everyone is responsible for executions done by the government in the name of the people. She figures that if people took personal responsibility for the execution, executions wouldn't happen. It's a very Catholic view: we need more personal responsibility to make the world better.