The Executioner's Song Study Guide

Gary Gilmore is a violent child. Born in Utah, he moves to Portland, Oregon with his mother, Ida, while he is still a child. In spite of a mean streak he displays with other children, Gary is always tender to his cousin, Brenda. When Gary comes to visit in Provo after the move to Portland, he and Brenda always play with one another. When Gary reaches adolescence, he begins getting in trouble with the law and ends up in reform school in Oregon. Later, he goes to Oregon State Penitentiary. He is nearing parole at the beginning of Executioner's Song, and he has contacted Brenda to help him establish a home and employment so that he will have a place to go when he gets out of prison. She arranges a job and lodging for him with Vern, her father, who owns a shoe repair shop in Provo. Gary will l... (read more)