Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Laramie Project, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Homophobia, Tolerance, and Acceptance
Violence, Punishment, and Justice
Media and Community
Religion, Morality, and Prejudice
Theater and Representation
Summary
Analysis
During jury selection for Russell Henderson’s trial, Trish Steger describes how people came into her shop and expressed their fear that they would be selected for the jury. Trish says that, during the selection process, prosecutors asked if the jurors would be willing to give Russell the death penalty. Actors portray the potential jurors agreeing to the possibility of capital punishment.
Trish’s description of many Laramie residents’ reluctance to serve on the jury for Matthew’s case speaks to the intense communal pressures to deliver appropriate justice. The question of the death penalty returns, as jurors are selected for their willingness to give capital punishment.
Themes
