Poor Mary's Dead

This is a fairly comprehensive article on the various versions of the stories that came out of the hanging of Big Mary - check it out.

A Brief History of Public Executions as a Spectator Sport

Here's a link to a chapter from the book pictured above - it talks about how and why people have always been fascinated with death (at least, other people's deaths) to the point that many/most cultures, some even still today, have presented public executions as public entertainment. The summary of the play describes this an an American phenomenon, but remember:

Gladiators
Feeding Christians to lions
Burning witches
French guillotines
The Gulf War
Obsession with serial killers
Crime dramas
Horror movies
Etc...

This is a HUMAN phenomenon. In part it goes back to that idea of catharsis, of rejoicing that at least your life is better than the idiot's at the end of a rope. Some of it is a deep-seated yearning for fairness, embodying 'eye for an eye.' Some is because a tragedy is also often a really engrossing story. There's also the recognition that traumatic events can become personal and historical trailmarkers, major 'I was there' moments. Sometimes it's a distraction, a stress release. All too often it's about the herd instinct, and getting caught up in mob mentality.

Almost always it's about (nearly subconsciously) waiting for someone else to say 'Stop. Now.'

It's a very interesting read. (Some of the examples are pretty intense. Nothing too graphic, it's pretty straightforward, but you may want to pair up and have one person read first, or discuss as you go along.)

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Hanging Over Erwin: Notes from the Town Today

This is a 10+ minute documentary-ish video that talks with residents of Erwin. It's interesting to hear how the story of Big Mary has been passed down, and the undercurrent of bitterness that their town is still the one 'that hanged an elephant'. Who do you blame? How do you cope? Can anyone ever really move on from the major events that shape a life?

Catharsis

From Wikipedia: (from the Greek κάθαρσις katharsis meaning "purification" or "cleansing") is the purification and purgation of emotions—especially pity and fear—through art or any extreme change in emotion that results in renewal and restoration.

Originating with the theatre, the idea was that a performance would draw an extreme emotional reaction from audience members through their vicarious participation in a tragic story. In this way they could experience situations and feelings they might not otherwise recognize, instilling gratitude for their own lives and compassion for and desire to improve the lives of others (or at least not contribute to suffering).