The Laramie Project
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Act 1: A Definition Act 1: Journal Entries Act 1: Rebecca Hilliker Act 1: Angels in America Act 1: Alison and Marge Act 1: Matthew Act 1: Who’s getting what? Act 1: Easier said than done Act 1: The Word Act 1: A Scarf Act 1: Lifestyle 1 Act 1: The Fireside Act 1: McKinney and Henderson Act 1: The Fence Act 1: Finding Matthew Shepard Act 2: A Laramie Man Act 2: The Essential Facts Act 2: Live and Let Live Act 2: The Gem City of the Plains Act 2: Medical Update Act 2: Seeing Matthew Act 2: E-Mail Act 2: Vigils Act 2: It Happened Here Act 2: Shannon and Jen Act 2: Homecoming Act 2: One of Ours Act 2: Two Queers and a Catholic Priest Act 2: Christmas Act 2: Lifestyle 2 Act 2: That Night Act 2: Magnitude Act 2: H-O-P-E Act 3: Snow Act 3: Jury Selection Act 3: Russell Henderson Act 3: Angels in America Act 3: A Death Penalty Case Act 3: Aaron McKinney Act 3: Gay Panic Act 3: Aaron McKinney (continued) Act 3: The Verdict Act 3: Dennis Shepard’s Statement Act 3: Aftermath Act 3: Epilogue Act 3: Departure
Themes
All Themes Homophobia, Tolerance, and Acceptance Violence, Punishment, and Justice Media and Community Religion, Morality, and Prejudice Theater and Representation
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Matthew Shepard Aaron McKinney Russell Henderson Dennis Shepard Jedadiah Schultz Rebecca Hilliker The Baptist Minister Father Roger Schmit Stephen Mead Johnson Reggie Fluty Aaron Kreifels Catherine Connolly Doc O’Connor Dr. Cantway Jonas Slonaker Zubaida Ula Moisés Kaufman Leigh Fondakowski Greg Pierotti Marge Murray Matt Galloway Matt Mickelson Murdock Cooper Reverend Fred Phelps Romaine Patterson Rulon Stacey Shannon Tiffany Edwards Rob Debree
Symbols
All Symbols The Fence The Stars
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The Laramie Project

by

Moisés Kaufman
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Dennis Shepard Character Analysis

Dennis Shepard is Matthew Shepard’s father. During Aaron McKinney’s sentencing, Dennis makes a statement explaining the family’s decision not to ask for the death penalty for Aaron, in which Dennis describes how he and his family believe that rejecting the death penalty is the best way to honor Matthew’s memory and ensure that the Laramie community can heal. Dennis Shepard’s cogent argument for why the family is choosing life imprisonment for Aaron helps to set an example for the future of how to appropriately punish such extreme expressions of hatred and violence as Matthew’s murder.

Dennis Shepard Quotes in The Laramie Project

The The Laramie Project quotes below are all either spoken by Dennis Shepard or refer to Dennis Shepard. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Homophobia, Tolerance, and Acceptance Theme Icon
).
Act 3: Dennis Shepard’s Statement Quotes

I would like nothing better than to see you die, Mr. McKinney. However this is the time to begin the healing process. To show mercy to someone who refused to show any mercy. Mr. McKinney, I am going to grant you life, as hard as it is for me to do so, because of Matthew… I give you life in the memory of one who no longer lives. May you have a long life and may you thank Matthew every day for it.

Related Characters: Dennis Shepard (speaker), Matthew Shepard, Aaron McKinney
Homophobia, Tolerance, and Acceptance Theme Icon
Violence, Punishment, and Justice Theme Icon
Media and Community Theme Icon
Page Number: 85
Explanation and Analysis:
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Dennis Shepard Quotes in The Laramie Project

The The Laramie Project quotes below are all either spoken by Dennis Shepard or refer to Dennis Shepard. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Homophobia, Tolerance, and Acceptance Theme Icon
).
Act 3: Dennis Shepard’s Statement Quotes

I would like nothing better than to see you die, Mr. McKinney. However this is the time to begin the healing process. To show mercy to someone who refused to show any mercy. Mr. McKinney, I am going to grant you life, as hard as it is for me to do so, because of Matthew… I give you life in the memory of one who no longer lives. May you have a long life and may you thank Matthew every day for it.

Related Characters: Dennis Shepard (speaker), Matthew Shepard, Aaron McKinney
Homophobia, Tolerance, and Acceptance Theme Icon
Violence, Punishment, and Justice Theme Icon
Media and Community Theme Icon
Page Number: 85
Explanation and Analysis:
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