Chasing King's Killer by James L. Swanson by James Pinapati

pinapatijames — 2025-02-11 23:26:14 UTC

Ray's swift and slick car was one of his first steps into feeling normal. When he gets looked at in better ways because of the car, he feels more important. It represents his efforts to be normal after escaping jail.

pinapatijames — 2025-02-11 23:42:34 UTC

This is one of Ray's fake passports. He used many of these to buy useful items on his journey to the assassination; he bought things such as guns, flight tickets, etc. It symbolizes his clever and cunning mind which helped him stay unknown.

pinapatijames — 2025-02-12 00:58:14 UTC

This is the second gun Ray bought. He thought he needed a better gun so he bought this gun. It symbolizes Ray's sense of perfection since he upgraded the gun.

pinapatijames — 2025-02-17 20:53:36 UTC

"It is amazing how the actions of one anonymous person can change the future of not only a great person but an entire nation" (Swanson 24). This quote is significant because it teaches the reader how one's actions can affect many people.

pinapatijames — 2025-02-17 20:57:26 UTC

James Earl Ray, a particularly handsome young fellow, was born in Alton, IL. He had come from a long line of white uneducated criminals. He had committed many crimes and had been in and out of jail. On April 23rd, 1967, he had escaped prison. He had longed for a normal life as a waiter, bartender or anything. Nevertheless, his dark past came over him; it led him to develop a constant voice which made him want to assassinate King. Ergo, he bought many items such as guns and a scope. He also drove all the way to Memphis, TN and booked a motel room near King's hotel. Subsequently, after careful planning and preparation, Ray had successfully assassinated Martin Luther King. Ultimately, after over two months of hiding, spanning across five countries, Ray had been caught and sent to prison.

pinapatijames — 2025-02-18 01:41:07 UTC

Ray almost transformed into a mighty example for prisoners after escape, but he again let his past get to him. Even we as Christians cannot let the devil pull us back into the cycle of sin. Even I used to fall into sins such as disobeying my parents and even falling into lust. Yet, I have strengthened my relationship with Christ and I haven't fallen into that cycle again. "Submit yourselves, then, to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Verses like this enable my mind to be capable to not surrender to sin. If James Earl Ray saw this verse, maybe we would live in a world with Martin Luther King.

pinapatijames — 2025-02-18 20:12:14 UTC

After Ray had escaped out of prison he had acted like a changed man. He had diligently worked in a restaurant; unfortunately he had to leave because he might've compromised his identity if he stayed in one place for too long. Even new skills, he tried to learn, such as crafting drinks and even bar tending. In spite of his efforts to change he couldn't. His inner voice got to him, which led to him killing King.

pinapatijames — 2025-02-19 00:19:43 UTC

As our main character did not learn his lesson, this is what I took out of the novel. In the novel, what stood out to me the most, was Dr. King's bravery. Even at such a high point in his life, King stood atop the Lorraine Motel with confidence and bravery. Even though he was eventually killed there, his confidence was commendable. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6). This verse tells us to be brave because the God of everything is always with us.

pinapatijames — 2025-02-19 00:54:31 UTC

Ray battling his past is the main conflict within himself. He struggled with breaking the family chain of being criminals. His family's elders behaving badly set a terrible example for him. Even after escaping prison, he couldn't fully escape his criminal nature. His past stuck with him creating many feelings. These feelings developed into the thought that he can't escape from his past. The thought ended up fully consuming him, so he decided to go to such an extreme measure, and he ended up killing the brilliant mind, of Dr. Martin Luther King.