Rituals of Death: The Meaning of Last Words and Last Meals

64 Pages Posted: 1 Oct 2009

See all articles by Linda Ross Meyer

Linda Ross Meyer

Quinnipiac University School of Law

Date Written: March 30, 2008

Abstract

This paper explores the meaning of rituals of last words and last meals in the context of the death penalty. It concludes that the rituals retain the ability to subvert the state's retributivist message, even while they are necessary to it.

Keywords: death penalty, last words, last meals, capital punishment, retribution

Suggested Citation

Meyer, Linda R., Rituals of Death: The Meaning of Last Words and Last Meals (March 30, 2008). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1480686 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1480686

Linda R. Meyer (Contact Author)

Quinnipiac University School of Law ( email )

275 Mt. Carmel Ave.
Hamden, CT 06518
United States
203-287-3281 (Phone)
203-287-3209 (Fax)

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