Klaus Detterick Character Analysis in The Green Mile

The father of Kathe and Cora. He sets off immediately with his son Howie when he learns of his twins’ disappearance. Upon discovering John Coffey with the bodies of his two daughters, he attacks him violently but goes limp when he is pulled away from Coffey, suggesting that he was affected by Coffey’s special powers. His quiet demeanor at Coffey’s execution contrasts sharply with his wife’s virulent insults, and he dies of a stroke a few months later.

Klaus Detterick Character Timeline in The Green Mile

The timeline below shows where the character Klaus Detterick appears in The Green Mile. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...period when cotton plantations no longer exist but cotton farming is experiencing a brief revival, Klaus Detterick is the owner of a relatively prosperous cotton farm. One evening in June, his... (full context)

...are drops of blood on the floor. Despite his wife’s pleas not to do so, Klaus and his son Howie set off, firearms in hand, in search of the girls. Marjorie,... (full context)

When Klaus and Howie go around the barn, they discover the dog Bowser’s dead body, his head... (full context)

Klaus and Howie are gatherers, not hunters, and are therefore not adept at following someone’s trail.... (full context)

Meanwhile, Klaus and Howie, who have by then found various pieces of the girls’ clothing soaked in... (full context)

...and Deputy McGee leads the group of stunned men onward, while still making sure that Klaus Detterick is under control. (full context)

Love, Compassion, and Healing Theme Icon

Out of rage at seeing the dead bodies of his two little girls, Klaus Detterick throws himself at Coffey and kicks him in the temple, but Coffey is unaffected.... (full context)

...came back from his visit to the Dettericks, he was clearly convinced of Wharton’s guilt. Klaus Detterick told him that, some time before his girls’ murder, he had hired a young... (full context)

There are fourteen witnesses at the execution, including Homer Cribus and Klaus and Marjorie Detterick—although, like Hal Moores, Deputy McGee is absent. As John and the guards... (full context)

...her husband is strikingly calm and quiet, and Paul is not surprised to learn that Klaus died of a stroke one month later. While Brutal gives his official speech, he keeps... (full context)