Course Title: Close Reading Ⅱ（講読２）“Images of Racial/ Sexual Minorities in American Movies”
Date of Presentation: January 17, 2019
Presented by: S. MizuideBlack Stereotypes / Useful English Expressions
In the movie, The Green Mile (Ch.39―51)
Introduction
The purpose of this presentation is to examine Chapters 39 through 51 of The Green Mile, focusing
on ① stereotypical images of blacks & ② useful English expressions.
Ch.40

Paul warns Percy not to tell others what happened on the MileIn the detention room, Percy shouts and orders Paul to take off his straitjacket. Then Paul beats Percy,and persuades him in a calm voice. (02:24:29 ―02:25:12)
Paul: But, Percy, you mind me now. We’ll also see you beaten within an inch of your life. Weknow people, too. Are you so foolish, you don’t realize that? Let bygones be bygones. Hm?
Nothing’s hurt so far but your pride. No one ever needs know *about that, except the people inthis little room.（だがパーシー、用心しろよ。お前をひどい目に遭わせてやる。私たちにもコネがあるんだよ。お前はおろかすぎて気づかなかったかな？過去のことは過去として水に流そう。いいな。傷ついたのはお前のプライドだけってことになる。この小さな部屋にいる我々を除いて、誰もこのことを知る必要はない。）
Brutus: What happens on the Mile stays on the Mile. Always has.（このマイルで起きたことはマイルに留まる。いつもそうだったんだ。
）
Percy: May I be let out of this coat now? （もうこの衣類を脱いでもいいですか。）
Useful English Expression
We know people, too.
私たちにだってコネはあるんだよ。
（私たちにも有力者の知り合いは、いるんだ。
）*need know
In this scene, Paul says “No one. . . needs know” (English subtitles same). “Need know” isgrammatically incorrect.

It is a misstatement. It must be “needs to know.”Ch.43

Hal asks a question to Paul

After Percy killed Wild Bill, some police officers come to the Mile for an investigation. Hal comesclose to Paul to ask him a question. (02:35:08―02:35:29)
Hal: I’ll cover for you as much as I can even if it means my job. But I have to know… does thishave anything to do with what happened at my house? Does it, Paul? （たとえ私の仕事上の立場がどうなろうと、できる限り君たちを守ろうと思う。だがひとつ聞きたい。このことと私の家で起こったことに何か関係はあるのか。そうなのか、ポール。
）
Useful English Expression
Does this have anything to do with XXX？ これは XXX と何か関係があるのですか？
Ch.45

Paul wants to save John, while John wants nothing.

The day of John’s execution comes. Paul wants to help John, because he knows John is innocent. Paulasks John if he wants to escape. (02:39:54―2:40:30)
Paul: John, I have to ask you something very important now. （ジョン、君に、今からとても大事なことを尋ねなければならんのだ。）
John: I know what you gonna say. You don’t have to say it. （あなたが何を言おうとしているか分かります。いう必要はありません。）
Paul: No, I do. I do. I have to say it. John, tell me what you want me to do. You want me to takeyou out of here? Just let you run away? See how far you could get?

（いや、言わせてくれ。

言わなきゃならない。ジョン、私にどうしてほしいか、教えてくれ。ここから外に連れ出してほしいか？それともただ逃がしてほしい？どこまで行けるかやってみたいか？）
John: Why would you do such a foolish thing?（なぜそんな愚かなことをなさろうとするのですか。
）
Useful English Expression
Tell me what you want me to do.
私にどうしてほしい？

(私にどうしてほしいか教えてくれ。)

Conclusion
Chapter 45 depicts John’s stereotypical image of “Magical Negro.” There are two reasons: (1) John
has a psychic power. For example, he knows what Paul wants to say before Paul says anything. (2)John doesn’t care a bit for any rewards. This unselfishness also shows his “Magical Negro” nature.
Bibliography
The Green Mile. DVD. Jancode: 4988013147201