John Coffey

I'm tired, boss. Tired of being on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. I'm tired of never having me a buddy to be with... to tell me where we's going to, coming from, or why. Mostly, I'm tired of people being ugly to each other. I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world... every day. There's too much of it. It's like pieces of glass in my head...all the time.

— Your name is John Coffey?
— Yes, sir, boss. Like the drink, only not spelt the same.

I saw in his heart when he grabbed my arm. I saw what Wild Billy had done. Saw it plain as day. You can't hide what's in your heart.

I'm sorry for what I am.

He killed them with they love, they love for each other. Now you see how it is. That's the way it is every day. That's the way it is all over the world.

— They's lots of folks here that hate me. Lots! I can feel it. It's like bees stinging me.
— Well, feel how we feel, then. We don't hate you. Can you feel that?

I couldn't help it, boss. I tried to take it back, but it was too late.