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Jessica Luna

CTW 1: LEAD

Dr. Medina

13 October 2020

Just Mercy: A Novel of Compassion and Rectification

​ ach of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done​”​,​ ​a quote spoken by Bryan
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Stevenson, which perfectly encompasses the purpose of ​Just Mercy,​ a memoir written by the

lawyer. I was assigned to read ​Just Mercy​ as a summer reading in highschool, and years later, it

is still one of my favorite novels due to its easy comprehension and encouraged reflection.

Immediately upon starting the novel, I was astounded at how passionately Stevenson makes his

point that mass incarceration and inhumane punishment plagues America, and that even the

condemned deserve our mercy in order to redeem themselves. Stevenson’s strategic use of

statistics and inclusion of empathetic-like word choice elevate his persuasiveness through logos

and pathos, while his mindfulness in acknowledging opposing viewpoints makes him a

self-aware and credible author.

One of Stevenson’s most effective rhetorical strategies is the implementation of pathos.

Throughout the novel, Stevenson incorporates short stories of other clients he has represented. In

this case it is a young man who, in his teens, attempted to rob a woman. A few years after this

incident, the man calls the woman, who, “was stunned to hear from the boy who had shot her,

but she was moved...After communicating with Ian for several years, Baigre wrote to the court

and told the judge who sentenced Ian that his sentence was too harsh and that his conditions of

confinement were inhumane” (Stevenson 130). Stevenson incorporates various stories

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throughout his novel in order to provide a plethora of examples of inhumane treatment in

prisons. The inclusion of different stories allows several chances for the reader to empathize with

each case and the issue of inhumane prison treatment. In this passage, Stevenson strategically

includes the fact that Ms. Baigre was moved by the call, showing her emotional reception to the

boy’s apology and process of rectification. Mentioning the aftermath of the robbery not only

shows a mindfulness for the boy’s wellbeing, but also shows the completion of a well rounded

story. Furthermore, including the detail of ‘several years’ shows consistency both on the part of

Ms. Baigre and the boy, implying that both individuals are empathetic and caring towards each

other. Stevenson’s choice of wording for the second half of the last sentence is important since it

shows Baigre’s unrelentless attempt at justice for Ian. This plays a key part in Stevenson’s

objective because it is a moment in which the reader can relate with Ms. Baigre at any point in

their life where they were passionate about rectifying something that was incorrect. This

stimulates the reader’s feelings of determination as they are reminded of times where they have

been dedicated towards a cause, making this passage all the more emotionally convincing.

Therefore, Stevenson’s inclusion of this passage appeals to the reader’s empathy and radicalized

side, making him a persuasive author.

Furthering Stevenson’s argument that mass incarceration and inhumane punishment are

detrimental to society, he also includes logic in order to solidify his point. In the very beginning

of the novel, Stevenson shocks the reader with the following statistics: “One in every fifteen

people born in the United States in 2001 is expected to go to jail or prison; one in every three

black male babies born in this country is expected to be incarcerated...These numbers reflect who

is being convicted and incarcerated, ​not​ who is necessarily committing crimes” (Stevenson 14).
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Stevenson includes two statistics in this passage, followed by an important reminder for the two.

Both statistics portray a negative tone for society, as it’s wording gives off a reality that is clear

cut and blunt, with no exceptions for this big portion of the American population. The lawyer’s

persuasion is strong in this passage as his inclusion of statistics shows he regards statistics as

essential in order to further solidify his argument. Although the stats in the first sentence shock

the reader, the second sentence further radicalizes the reader into the realization that correlation

does not imply causation. The second portion of the passage is just as important as the first

because it provides a deeper analysis of the first in the form of a reflective statement. In other

words, the second sentence compels the reader to contemplate on other reasons as to why so

many Americans are to be convicted of crime, instead of quickly assuming that all convicts are

guilty. This makes Stevenson a credible and persuasive author as he not only includes statistics,

but he provides additional insight for interpreting these statistics, which helps the reader to rid

themselves of pre-existing biases.

Continuing his unrelentless streak of logos and pathos, Stevenson again uses these two

methods to obliterate any chance of potential opposing arguments. Not long after the quote

above, the author uses another statistic that is even more personal and sensitive than the one

before it. The lawyer quotes, “We’ve sent a quarter million kids, some under the age of twelve,

to adult jails and prisons. For years, we’ve been the only country in the world that condemns

children to imprisonments without parole” (Stevenson 15). Including this statistic is difficult for

the reader to digest, and is even tougher to accept; and Stevenson knows it. Having been children

themselves at one point, the general population often tries protecting children since they are the

most vulnerable and innocent than any other group in society. On top of this, children are also
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usually described as ‘society’s future leaders’. Therefore, reading that young children are being

grouped into the same level as convicted adult felons in prison is not only terrifying but repulsive

for the reader. Stevenson’s use of this bizarre statistic carries much more impact since it is not

heard of by most people; therefore leaving the reader in shock with the weight of this reality. The

reader is further infuriated with this statistic as it reveals America’s cruelty against young

children when it pertains to crimes and misdemeanors for minors. With the use of this quote, the

lawyer leaves the reader pondering in frustration as to how great America really is while it is

capable of incarcerating children under one of the world’s most unforgiving laws. Through the

use of logos fueled by pathos, Stevenson effectively persuades his audience to become

radicalized in the issue of inhumane punishment and mass incarceration.

Although Stevenson is very persuasive through his use of the three rhetorical strategies,

he also acknowledges that not everyone may be convinced with his argument. In the beginning

of the novel, the author gives a background description of the place in which the main story takes

place in. The lawyer describes the community’s view on interracial marriage: “It was only in

2000 that the issue got on Alabama’s statewide ballot, where a majority of votes chose to

eliminate the ban—although 41 percent still voted to keep it” (Stevenson 26). Here, the

respectable lawyer provides background on Alabama’s long history of persisting racism. Twenty

years ago, two-fifths of Alabama voters agreed to keep the ban on interracial marriage. In other

words, almost half of Alabama’s citizens voted against equal marriages among interracial

couples. Incorporating this community’s view on race is crucial to understanding the novel as a

whole, as it gives a platform for the readers to recognize the racial tensions among Alabaman

citizens. Due to this statistic, the reader concludes that it will be difficult to persuade people with
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this mindset to agree with Stevenson’s argument, given that this is a setting in which the

incarcerations and inhumane punishments are occurring. This is paramount to Stevenson’s

persuasiveness because it shows the reader how conservative and unlikely the population is to

agree or even acknowledge that inhumane punishment and mass incarceration is a problem. In

summary, recognizing that not everyone will be persuaded by his argument makes the author

much more credible, since his mindfulness enables him to be self aware and understand this.

Throughout the novel, Stevenson demonstrates time and time again that he is not only a

persuasive writer but a credible one, as he acknowledges opposing viewpoints. The determining

factors of persuasion are based on the ability for the author’s work to resonate with the audience,

either emotionally or logically. In ​Just Mercy​, Bryan Stevenson masterfully does both, teaching

the reader to care about these issues through a newly-found radicalization sprung from reflection

of the text. Stevenson pushes his audience to care about the issues of mass incarceration and

inhumane punishment because they are pervasive in our country, and affect adults just as they

affect children. According to the credible lawyer, everyone is deserving of our mercy, even those

convicted of crime. Negating people the ability to redeem themselves prohibits them from

developing their personal lives, thereby removing their humanity. Instead, Stevenson urges

Americans to begin rectifying our country’s history of inhumane punishment through

understanding and compassion.

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Works Cited

Stevenson, Bryan. ​Just Mercy: Adapted for Young Adults: A True Story of the Fight for Justice.​

Thorndike Press, A Part of Gale, A Cengage Company, 2020.