Exploring the death penalty: One of the most powerful
themes in The Chamber is the death penalty, which still
exists in some states in the United States. In the book, the
courts of Mississippi are hungry to carry out an execution
because they view themselves as slipping behind other
states. Sam has committed horrific crimes, but should
he be punished for his mistakes by being killed himself ?
Can people feel genuinely sorry for their crimes? Can they
truly seek salvation? In the story, some characters suspect
that Sam wasn’t really responsible for the deaths for
which his own death will serve as punishment. Is it right
therefore that he should be killed and denied all hope for
future justice? Grisham explores these questions in The
Chamber—questions that exist in the real-world society
of the United States.