Category: A Lesson Before Dying

After reading the first chapter of A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, I immediately made a connection to To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I decided to reread the trial from To Kill a Mockingbird and compare it to the trial in A Lesson Before Dying. The obvious connection is that black men are convicted of crimes that they evidently did not commit. However, since the men live in racist communities, they are essentially guilty until proven innocent. As a result, their lawyers are forced to come up with distinctive and creative ways to prove their client’s innocence. In A Lesson Before Dying, the defense attorney tries to convince the members of the jury that Jefferson is too foolish and unintelligent to have orchestrated the robbery. Conversely, Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird calls into question Mayella, the plaintiff, and her father’s credibility. One thing that I also noticed is that the lawyers use reputation to emphasize their points. For example, Jefferson’s attorney says, “Gentleman of the jury, look at this-this-this boy”. He does this to show that he does not know what to call Jefferson—is he man or is he just a boy who is incapable of committing the crime he is accused of (Gaines 7). Atticus states that witnesses testifying against Tom Robinson are “confident that you gentleman would go along with their assumption- that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negroes are not to be trusted around women…” to stress that it would be wrong to assume that Tom is guilty solely because he is black (Lee 273). Another thing I noticed was the similarity of each lawyer’s closing arguments. Atticus tries to appeal the juror’s integrity by saying that there is no equality in the United States except for the courtroom. The attorney in A Lesson Before Dying, using pathos to appeal to the juror’s emotions by stating that Jefferson means everything to godmother and without him, her life would be meaningless. What surprised me was a difference in the tone of each passage. The tone in To Kill a Mockingbird is formal and educated, but the tone in A Lesson Before Dying is arrogant and nasty.

I felt that this book letter would not be complete without talking about Jefferson. Jefferson is an interesting character for many reasons, but what I find most interesting is his resemblance to Jesus. I mean if you think about it, they are both martyrs. Jesus was executed for his religious beliefs and Jefferson is murdered largely because of his race. Furthermore, they both die with a burden. Jesus died with his sins and Christians believe that his death allowed mankind to atone for its sins. Jefferson’s burden is to break the myth that white people are superior to black people. Grant tells Jefferson, “I want you to chip away at the myth by standing. I want you—yes, you—to call them liars. I want you to show them that you are as much a man—more a man than they can ever be” (Gaines 192). Jefferson can rid the myth from society by showing everyone that he is a man—and not a hog—before he dies. I also realized that they were both killed during the springtime, which is a time for rebirth. Jesus’ death was a rebirth for Christians and Jefferson’s death can be seen as a rebirth for black people because Jefferson demonstrates bravery as he is killed and thus destroys the myth. Also, some people believe that Jesus was crucified between noon and three, which is when Jefferson dies.

I wish I had more space to go on because there is so much more to say. Overall, I am glad I read A Lesson Before Dying and had the opportunity to reflect on what I read.

Ernest J. Gaines’ novel, A Lesson Before Dying, focuses on men and particularly the “lesson” about how to be a man. The novel follows Grant Wiggins’ progress after being tasked with the job to teach a young man, Jefferson, before he is unjustly killed for a crime he did not commit. Although the main characters are men, it is, in fact, the women in their lives who have the most significant influence over their decisions and actions. Miss Emma, Tante Lou, Vivian, and Edna Guidry are truly the backbones of this novel, and they each provided clarity, guidance, and opportunities for both Jefferson and Grant to become men.

Miss Emma is the first female character readers are introduced to in the novel. She is Jefferson’s godmother and has had a huge impact on his life. Grant Wiggins, the novel’s narrator, does not refer to either of Jefferson’s parents being in the picture, which makes the readers assume that Miss Emma raised him. Jefferson’s lawyer confirmed that when he said to the jury, “What you see there [Miss Emma] has been everything to him- mama, grandmother, godmother- everything.” (Gaines 8) Her primary role is as a “provider of physical nourishment in the form of food she makes for Jefferson.” (Vancil 81) Miss Emma was the one who had asked Grant Wiggins to teach her godson how to “be a man.” Although he was resistant at first, Grant respected Miss Emma, which is why he even considers going to jail and teaching Jefferson. Miss Emma’s determination and compassion is what influences the whole story and the events in it.

Miss Emma’s motivation to want Jefferson to “become a man” is quite clear and understandable. During Jefferson’s trial in Chapter 1, his lawyer’s defense was that he was stupid and a hog so he would not be able to commit such a crime. His lawyer specifically questioned the jury, “But would you call this [Jefferson] a man? Do you see anyone here who can plan a murder, a robbery? A cornered animal to strike quickly out of fear, a trait inherited from his ancestors in the deepest jungle of blackest Africa- yes, yes, that he can do”. (7) Jefferson is called a “hog” in the novel because “the socially dominant system of inscription, white-supremacy patriarchy, deems him so.” (Vancil 76) The “dehumanizing use of the word ‘hog’” (Lockhart 83) gravely insulted Miss Emma, but it ultimately sparked something within her. She knew she wanted, even if it was for a matter of hours or days, to die knowing that Jefferson walked like a man to his death sentence.

Tante Lou is another woman who had a strong influence on multiple main characters of this book. She is Grant Wiggins’ aunt and the woman who raised him. The readers know from the story that Grant is in contact with his parents and knows who and where they are, but he chooses to continue living with his aunt. Grant and his Tante Lou have a tumultuous relationship but nothing out of the ordinary of a relationship between a mother and her adult son. This whole venture of teaching Jefferson how to be a man seems to cause a strain in their relationship as Tante Lou is very adamant that Grant should go to the jail and be Jefferson’s teacher. Grant’s struggle with it all was the fact that he feels humiliated by the white men who enabled him to visit Jefferson, and he feels that Tante Lou has a hand in that. In Chapter 10 he says to her:

“Everything you [Tante Lou] sent me to school for, you’re stripping me of it…The humiliation I had to go through, going into that man’s kitchen. The hours I had to wait while they ate and drank and socialized before they would even see me… All the things you wanted me to escape by going to school. Years ago, Professor Antoine told me that if I stayed here, they were going to break me down to the nigger I was born to be. But he didn’t tell me that my aunt would help them do it.” (79)

Despite a strained relationship with Grant Wiggins, Tante Lou is still able to get her way through her influence over Miss Emma. Although she is a few years younger, Tante Lou is one of Miss Emma’s closest friends. Miss Emma and Tante Lou are very similar, and both of their ways are “rural, contentedly self-sacrificing, and communal.” (Lockhart 83) The two of them practically teamed up together to get Grant to visit and teach Jefferson. For around half of the book, we see Miss Emma acting like someone who did not long for Grant to see Jefferson. She constantly repeats, “he don’t have to go” while Tante Lou would apply pressure and persist that Grant is to go down to the jail. Tante Lou’s influence over Miss Emma was one of the thing’s that got Grant down to the jail.

The woman who undoubtedly has the most influence over Grant Wiggins is Vivian Baptiste. Vivian is Grant’s girlfriend and the person he shares, opens up to, and trusts the most. They have a kind of forbidden romance as Vivian is still legally married and has two children with her estranged husband. Grant is very dependent on Vivian, and she provides him with stability, comfort, and love. But Vivian also keeps Grant very grounded and reminds him of the reality of their circumstances. On a few occasions, Grant would go visit her and suggest that they leave and run away together, and she would bring him back to reality telling him “because the whole thing is just too crazy.” (29). She is a gentle, but firm, guiding hand and is always ready to listen and help Grant. Vivian’s undying support and dedication to Grant encouraged him to keep going even when he was not getting the results he wanted.

The readers were first introduced to Vivian in the fourth chapter when Grant went up to visit her after being asked to teach Jefferson how to be a man. Grant immediately went to Vivian and explained everything that had happened and his doubts about whether he would go to jail. Vivian’s simple answer is, “I want you to go up there…If they say yes, I want you to go for me.” (32) This quote alone immediately proves the influence that Vivian has. She is able to convince him to go to the jail and embark on this journey with just two simple words, “for me.” Their interactions with each other demonstrate a healthy relationship where Grant “views her as his equal.” (Lockhart 83)

Edna Guidry has a very small part in the book and rarely appears, but the positive consequences of her actions are felt throughout all the pages. Edna is the wife of the sheriff and she plays a key role in convincing him to allow some privileges for Jefferson. She is a very compassionate woman who truly does not like what had happened to Jefferson. She told Grant upon their first encounter after the news: “Grant, please tell Emma how sorry I am about Jefferson. I would do it myself, but I’m just too broken up over this matter.” (45) Emma and Tante Lou had both worked for Edna and her family at one point, so, to a certain extent, she felt like she owed them. Edna was able to convince her husband to allow Grant to visit Jefferson and later on in the book she was able to persuade the sheriff to permit Jefferson to meet his family and Grant in the dayroom. Edna was a pure example of the way to treat someone with compassion no matter the consequences and how far she had to go.

These four women “carried” the men throughout ‘A Lesson Before Dying’. There would have been absolutely no story to tell without their influence and strength imprinted on the book’s pages. Even when their characters weren’t physically present, readers could feel the product of their guiding hands in the men. Grant would not have been able to teach Jefferson how to be a man” if it wasn’t for Miss Emma and Tante Lou constantly persisting for Grant to go to the jail, Vivian’s encouragement and quiet support, and Edna Guidry’s compassion that led to doors being opened. In conclusion, a woman’s influence should always be welcomed.

Yes, life has a way of teaching us lessons that we would never learn otherwise. Some of life’s lessons we would rather not have, some of what we learn we wish we did not have to. A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines does just this in an exemplary fashion. The novel is set in the late 1940s in Bayonne, Louisiana where two main characters, Grant and Jefferson, are engaged in a struggle to achieve self-respect in a society based on racial prejudice. Gaines is an effective storyteller because shows Grant’s frustration and attitude towards society and state of country in general.

The novel was set in the late 1940s around a fictional town- Bayonne. Even though the place was fictional, the way of life was real. It shows the racism and segregation that was present before the civil war. Gains (as narrator) states the segregation before Grant meets Vivian for the first time in the novel “Bayonne was a small town of about six thousand. Approximately three thousand five hundred whites; approximately two thousand five hundred colored. It was the parish seat for St. Raphael. The courthouse was there; so was the jail. There was a Catholic church uptown for whites; a Catholic church back of town for colored. There was a white movie theater uptown; a colored movie theater back of town. There were two elementary schools uptown, one Catholic, one public, for whites; and the same back of town for colored.”(21) As a result suppressed frustration and anger developed in black minds. Moreover, Grant still lives in the same town where he grew up watching his aunt work for whites which makes him feel trapped. Grant mentions how his ancestors had worked on the same plantation years ago- “Left of the weighing scales and the derrick was the plantation cemetery, where my ancestors had been buried for the past century.”(87) This shows how Grant’s family has been working in the same place for generations; maybe more to come- which scares Grant.

Grant’s frustration can be felt easily while reading the novel. Grant mentions how he needs to think of a good lie for Miss Emma after the horrendous meeting with Jefferson. “I knew Miss Emma expected me to come back and tell her all about Jefferson, but I had not thought of a good lie yet.”(70) Everyone expected too much from Grant always wanting progress with Jefferson which resulted in him wanting to quit meeting Jefferson. Coupled with Aunt Lou’s constant criticism about how grant could do a better job furthered Grant’s frustration. “She said over her shoulder, “Food there if you want it. Or you can go back where you had supper last night.” “(30) Gaines does a great job creating stressing scenarios where Grant’s patience is tested.

Gaines uses his stylistic writing style throughout the novel especially when writing as Jefferson. “mr wigin you say rite somethin but i dont kno what to rite an you say i must be thinkin bout things i aint telin nobody an i order put it on paper but i dont kno what to put on paper cause i aint never rote nothin but homework i aint never rote a leter in all my life cause nanan use to get other chiren to rite her leter an read her leter for her not me so i cant think of too much to say but maybe nex time”[A part of Jefferson’s diary](186) Gaines writes with a completely different tone cementing the fact that Jefferson really was a ‘hog’. Particularly Gaines attention to detail and proficiency adds reality in this fictional novel. “She doesn’t, huh?” Sam Guidry asked me. He emphasized “doesn’t.” I was supposed to have said “don’t.” I was being too smart. ‘(39) Gaines uses his knowledge of ‘Black Vernacular’ to make the events look real.

Gaines uses his stylistic approach, attention to detail and choice of setting to deliver a certain and authentic novel. He uses Grant’s frustration from people around him and society to enhance the depth of character and make the novel ‘life-like’. Therefore, Gaines uses his novel as a source to remind people that no matter what conditions you are met with, we should learn and inspire ourselves with them.

African American author and professor Ernest James Gaines once said, “A writer tries to write about what he is a part of.” He has rendered representations of his personal life experiences into true literary depictions of African Americans. Gaines was born in 1933 as a sharecropper’s oldest son on a poverty-ridden Louisiana plantation during the depression. As a young boy he labored the fields just as his ancestors had since harsh times of slavery. In his later years, he wrote many books that were inspired by the American South including: A Gathering of Old Men and A Lesson Before Dying, both Louisiana twentieth century based novels. Considering both these literary works by Ernest Gaines, self discovery is portrayed through various techniques including: figures of speech and symbols. However, Gaines develops the journey of self discovery through different paths in both literary works. Gaines also used the idea of becoming a man as the evolution of self discovery.

Using figurative language, Gaines skillfully paints a picture in the reader’s mind that is presented by self discovery. For instance, in A Lesson Before Dying, when Grant was telling Jefferson that he could be better because everyone in the quarter needs him to be, he exclaimed, “And that’s all we are, Jefferson, all of us on this earth, a piece of drifting wood, until we—each one of us, individually—decide to become something else” (Gaines 193). In this quote, Gaines uses anthropomorphism, similar to personification, although, non-human things behave as if they are human. Grant was using imagery to tell Jefferson that like wood, he can be sculpted to become whatever he wanted to be in the future, all people have to decide what kind of person that we want to become. Additionally, in A Gathering of Old Men, when the men decide to go to Marshall, Chimley thought, “His eyes was still saying more than he had said. His eyes was saying: We wait till now? Now, when we’re old men, we get to be brave?” (Gaines 32). In this quote, Gaines uses personification, where the representation of an abstract quality is in humanistic form. He accomplishes this through the look Mat gave Chimley to illustrate how important it was for them to finally be brave.

Gaines explores the deeper meaning of self discovery through symbols. For example, in A Lesson Before Dying, when Reverend Ambrose argued the radio was no good for Jefferson Grant, Wiggins countered, “You can take it from him. But you won’t reach him if you do. The only thing that keeps him from thinking he is not a hog is that radio. Take that radio away, and let’s see what you can do for the soul of a hog” (Gaines 183). The radio is a symbol of many things, yet the most important would be the profound sense of Jefferson’s transformation from thinking he is a hog to knowing he is a man. As well as, in a Gathering of Old Men, when Johnny Paul was (falsely) declaring the responsibility for Beau Boutins death he added, “But I was here then, and I don’t see it now, and that’s why I did it. I did it for them back there under them trees. I did it ’cause that tractor is getting closer and closer to that graveyard, and I was scared if I didn’t do it, one day that tractor was go’n come in there and plow up them graves, getting rid of all the proof that we ever was” (Gaines 92). Johnny Paul shares his and many others’ opinions of the way life has become for the families in their community. He is finally speaking for his people, particularly, of the changing plantation conditions, gradually wiping their history away. In this quote there are two symbols, the graves and the tractor. The graves are a symbol for the history pictured of the families in the community from generation to generation, while the tractor is a symbol for the change Cajuns have brought to their lives.

Throughout both novels, Gaines uses the idea of becoming a man as the final development of self discovery. Such as, in A Lesson Before Dying, when Grant Wiggins read Jefferson’s diary he noticed that Jefferson’s last words were noted as, “good by mr wigin tell them im strong tell them im a man good by mr wigin im gon ax paul if he can bring you this” (Gaines 234). In this quote, Gaines utilizes Jefferson’s last words to Grant Wiggins as a way to emphasize Jefferson ultimately wants to be known to everyone as a man. Furthermore, in A Gathering of Old men, after Charlie had confessed to the murder, Sheriff Mapes had respectfully called him ‘Mr. Biggs’ following Charlies response, ““What’s that you called me, Sheriff?” Charlie asked him. “Mr. Biggs,” Mapes said, and with sincerity. Charlie grinned—a great, big, wide-mouth, big-teeth grin. It was a deep, all-heart, true grin, a grin from a man who had been a boy fifty years”” (Gaines 193). In this quote, Gaines applies the idea of Charlie becoming a man by his satisfaction of the respect and growth he has finally earned.

Finally, Gaines develops the journey of self discovery through different paths in order to highlight the different personal reasons and ways. While, In A Lesson Before Dying Gaines uses two characters to develop each others self discovery. Such as, “When Vincent asked him if he had any last words, he looked at the preacher and said, ‘Tell Nannan I walked.’ And straight he walked, Grant Wiggins. Straight he walked. I’m a witness. Straight he walked” (Gaines 254). Not only at Jefferson’s execution had he finally decided he learned the things he needed to about life but also, he could walk by himself. Doing this Jefferson had accomplished the final lesson, dying with dignity. Grant Wiggins discovered himself by teaching Jefferson how to do the same. He was awarded with the knowledge that Jefferson had died as a man, not a hog and revealed his emotions of sadness in the end crying to the class. On the contrary, in A Gathering of Old Men he uses storytelling to develop each of the characters self discovery. In particular when Johnny Paul says, “But you still don’t see. Yes, sir, what you see is the weeds, but you don’t see what we don’t see” (Gaines 89). This was the start to the spiral of stories where many men describe personal events that furthermore revealed their bitter feeling. This journey helped them grow as people, seemingly as a family, despite their many differences. Throughout the novel, the men tell their hardships through stories in order to develop their self discoveries.

All in all, Ernest J. Gaines portrays self discovery through figurative language to paint a picture in the reader’s mind and for the reader to explore a deeper meaning he uses symbolism. He also blossoms the idea of self discovery through the evolutionary process of becoming a man. Yet Gaines develops the journey of self discovery in two different ways. In A Lesson Before Dying, Gaines uses Grant Wiggins and Jefferson to develop each others self discovery path. However, in A Gathering of Old Men, Gaines uses the African American tradition of storytelling to develop the path to each characters self discovery. Relating to these novels, Ernest Gaines had listened to stories many of his neighbors and family elders had narrated during his childhood years and used that experience to write.

In the novel, A Lesson Before Dying, written by Ernest J. Gaines, a African-American who goes by the name, Jefferson is being convicted for a murder he “committed”. With the day in age Gaines sets his book in, it is easily identified with how the work of his book is going to play out. From beginning to end we a change in both Grant and Jefferson that define this story as it is known today. Sometimes it takes death to know who you really are. “He was was the strongest man in that crowed room…” (Gaines 253). Gaines took a character who faces backlashes for being of African descend in an age where society’s racists is in favor of, it’s hard living up to people’s expectation and sometimes you fall in the trap that is laid out. Gaines creates a novel filled with life morals, race, and having redemption before death through his most effective characters with the use of foreshadowing and flashbacks.

The writing style

Upon coming up with a style used in A Lesson Before Dying, Gaines uses figurative language to help the reader imagine the tone of the time period. When describing scenes the main character, Grant uses very described, and short sentences. Being a teacher the sentences reflects on his character. When doing this it shows the reader that Grant is aware of his surroundings. A teacher is suppose to be the holder of all knowledge, but by being aware of what’s going on around him he is able to teach his students not to make mistakes that he sees. Grant uses his knowledge to teach his students about the cruel outside world. “I could see how painful it was for most of them to hear this, but I did not stop” (Gaines 39).

When describing the flashback scene of what happened in the store Gaines used the character, Jefferson. Gaines use of short sentences with the start of ”he”. With the use of sentences back to back we as the reader act as the narrator during this scene. We get to see the thought process of Jefferson as he tries to tell us how it happened. Another, but not important, character is Louis Rougon, we don’t get to see through his point of view, but with the dialogue we get to know his character. The commas, and character description coming from Grant we see that Louis Rougon is a self-absorbed prat who is full of himself. (Gaines 48) Gaines relied on his character description to help his readers see the themes and overall message of the story.

Themes

The book is set in the 1940s in the town of Bayonne, Louisiana. As the tone of black and white is presented throughout the novel, which resulted in being a historical fiction book. The audience can connect the environment to the overall theme of the book. The theme of getting away is presented in the story. “He’ll make you the nigger you were born to be…” (page 65). This conversation that is being made between Gaines and his teacher, Matthew Antione, shows how even generation before them was trying to get away but couldn’t. The people inside the novel worked day in night for the things they need, but they will never stop being the white man property. An example of this is Emma, while inside of her ex-owner house she is still expected to serve him while there. The story that this whole novel is founded on is Jefferson’s. The whole trial is a set up from the start, if the people who wasn’t there knew the outcome of the trial than that should tell you something. Gaines used the issues of discrimination that were a problem in the 40s and still is today to portray how blacks were treated. The defenses proved that, when he was telling the jury Jefferson’s story.

Later in the book we see how one of the white man treats his maid, by showing this part in the book Gaines is trying to show the reader that even with the help you do some people will still treat you like the scum on the bottom of their feet because of your skin color or where you come from. Since the beginning of time we are thought of as animals who serves as slaves. So, when anyone of the black community is in or becomes of higher status we are still looked down upon and poked fun of. An example of this is the main protagonist, when in the face of people who he thinks is his superior he “tries” but fails as an educated black man. The title itself serves this purpose A Lesson Before Dying. By teaching Jefferson how to become a “man” rather than dying the “hog” he was meant to be he defy all social issues that the white man put them out to be. The teacher before Grant basically foreshadow his and the kids in his class future. Even if you work all your life time you will still turn out to die like everyone else. Grant chose to go against his wish and become something greater. An important note inside of the novel is a letter that Jefferson wrote, his letter shows that someone without knowledge still can have the ability to write a letter like that, with so much emotion that overlook his mistakes. Black people are expected to fail in this age or in any age in society.

Technique

The flashback that was mentioned in the story convinces the reader that he didn’t need anything in the store he was just there with Brother and Bear. Because Brother and Bear was intoxicated and couldn’t afford their drink, they started an argument with the owner resulting in all of them dying besides Jefferson. Without the use of flashback in the novel the reader wouldn’t know where Jefferson stood in the situation. The flashback that is given is important enough where Gains creates a story off it, that shows how society treats black people even if they are innocent. The whole story is built on immature uneducated black men not having any money and being intoxicated. Jefferson is the only evidence that can tell us what happened.

Jefferson in the beginning of the story is referred to as a hog. The symbol of the hog represents everything this country is build off of, the history of slavery. By mentioning “hog” throughout the book Gaines creates a novel where black people is subjected to the stereotype of being what is now called the lower class. It is also said in the beginning “A cornered animal…blackest Africa.” (page1) as the defense so mildy called him to try to get his point across. People in Africa tends to hold the stereotype that they are wild creatures who have no home training. And to get his point across the defended tries to use that as Jefferson’s get out of jail free card. Gaines took a simple word and related back to racism and Jim Crow Laws. At the end of the book Gaines show how Jefferson went from a hog to a man. This just shows that Jefferson took the higher road rather than scumming to the horrible name that he was called by (Gaines foreshadows the remaining of the defended speech, with the base his argument being Jefferson’s none intelligence to plan to come up with something as big as a robbery.)

Structure

A Lesson Before Dying is structured around Grant. The novel traces his individual growth as he works with Jefferson, and this development gives shape to the work’s overall discussion of fatalism, individualism, heroism, and social injustice. From the start Grant is an angry, bitter, and self-absorbed person. He is angry at a society that, despite his university degree, will only allow him to teach other blacks. He blames his community for burdening him with unreasonable expectations and suffocating him instead of allowing him to leave Louisiana and pursue his own path. Most of all, he loathes himself for playing his role in a segregationist society and his own inability to somehow break free. Grant does not attend Jefferson’s trial for two reasons. First, it does not directly affect him and so he sees no reason for it to interrupt his life. Second, in his fatalistic (or perhaps realistic) mind, he doesn’t need to attend because he already knows the outcome. When Miss Emma first approaches him about visiting Jefferson he wants nothing to do with it. He doesn’t believe his actions, or anyone else’s at this point, can make any difference in Jefferson’s life. Furthermore, he hates being committed to the school and doesn’t want to take on any added responsibilities. Grant wants to live for himself and Vivian, and no one else. But his relationship with Vivian also provides a glimpse into his selfish nature. He views her as an object, someone who makes him happy, but gives little thought to her own needs or his obligations to her. For example, he doesn’t seem at all interested in her children and they are never heard from during the story.

Before he changes himself, Grant plays an important role in Jefferson’s development. In Jefferson, Grant meets a person angrier more self-absorbed than himself. Both Jefferson and Grant have suffered injustice, but Grant struggles to help Jefferson understand that these attitudes are preventing him from achieving something remarkable. He teaches Jefferson the meaning of obligation, trying to convince Jefferson to eat some of Miss Emma’s food and make her happy. He teaches Jefferson about heroism, hoping Jefferson will realize the effect that standing up and walking to the chair like a man will have on people in the quarter. For his own part, Grant isn’t a very good example of duty or heroism, but teaching these values to Jefferson does impress their importance on him. Grant’s own transformation involves the incorporation of values he has been teaching Jefferson into his own life. Just as he has taught Jefferson, Vivian and Reverend Ambrose become his teachers. After pulling him out of the bar fight at the Rainbow Room, Vivian explains that their relationship is doomed if he won’t ever think about anyone but himself. Grant is tempted to run away from the problem, but realizes he had nothing good in his life without Vivian. Next Reverend Ambrose informs him of his Aunt Tante Lou’s sacrifices so that he could go to university. He reminds Grant that he is not educated unless he understands himself and his people. On his next visit to Jefferson’s cell, Grant has undergone a type of conversion. He has new respect for Jefferson’s courage and his willingness to be strong for the sake of others. Yet Grant remains a flawed hero. In spite of everything they’ve been through together, Grant can’t make himself go to Jefferson’s execution.

Conclusion

To sum, Ernest J. Gaines’ A Lesson Before Dying is a novel that successfully tells the story of discrimination, lack of education, and poverty. Yet Gaines didn’t do it all by himself, with the help of metaphors, anaphors, and descriptive character he creates a literary merit worthy book that deals with social issues higher in this day of age more than others.

The experiences that people go through in life can shape how they look at life and other people in society. Many people change their perspectives about life based on the lessons that they learn along the way. Change is important in the life of an individual. No one can categorize change as positive or negative before they see the outcomes. Ernest J. Gaines’ book, A Lesson before Dying, is among the works of literature that show the importance of change in the life of an individual through its characters. The book is set in a community of mixed White and Black people. These two racial groups in the book struggle to coexist amid stereotypes and other factors such as racial discrimination, which completely draws the boundary between the two groups. Gaines uses the main character in the book, Grant Wiggins, to express the importance of change and how it can affect the life of a person unexpectedly. This paper will address how Gaines uses the theme of heroism to show how the relationship between Jefferson and Grant changes the character of Grant towards the end of the story by learning to do what is best for other people.

Gaines’ book expresses the thin line that separates the Whites and the Black in the community in which he sets his book. Jefferson is a Black man who is framed for a murder that he did not commit. Jefferson was a bystander by the time Mr. Grope was killed by two Black men. Jefferson was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to death for the murder of Mr. Grope. According to the narrator in the book, Jefferson offered a different account of what happened during the time of the murder. The narrator repeats Jefferson’s words that ‘He was halfway across the room, the money stuffed inside his jacket pocket, the half bottle of whiskey clutched in his hand when two white men walked into the store. That was his story’ (Gaines 8). According to Jefferson, two White men committed the murder. On the other hand, Grant is a learned Black man in a White-dominated Southern community. Grant does not feel like anyone appreciates his effort to go to school and acquire an education. After teaching for several years in the community, Grant realizes that young students do not change behavior compared to the old people without education. Grant gives up on everyone and loathes staying in the community until his aunt gives him a task to educate Jefferson in prison as he awaits his execution.

Grant takes the opportunity of his fast encounter with Jefferson to enlighten him about the true meaning of a hero. At this point in the book, neither Jefferson nor Grant is convinced that they have a form of heroism. Grant claims that a hero ‘would do anything for people he loves because he knows it would make their lives better’ (Gaines 157). This first encounter between Jefferson and Grant affirms that Grant has completely lost touch with society. Grant tells Jefferson that only people like him could become heroes because other people do not expect it to happen. Gaines also admits to Jefferson that he does not have what it takes to be a hero because he already believes that people are irredeemable. The main reason why Grant offers this advice to Jefferson is to change his mind about the impression he got from people. At some point, Jefferson refers to himself as a ‘hog’ that the White people are preparing to eat. This expression shows Grant that Jefferson has nothing to hold on to in life, just like him, except that Jefferson is facing the death sentence in a month. Therefore, Grant hopes that Jefferson would focus on learning to prove to the White people that he was a Black hero who persevered through his darkest moments. The idea of heroism, as presented by Grant determines the fate of the two characters at the end of the book.

The idea of heroism also begins to take a toll on Grant, although it was meant to strengthen Jefferson’s spirit. Grant did not believe that he could be a hero at the beginning of the book. His reasoning was that most Black people in that community had given up. Therefore, e did not believe that there was nothing he could do to change the lives of the Black people in the community better. Grant had learned this ideology from interacting with his students in a school he had taught for many years. Grant laments that ‘I wanted to scream at my aunt; I was screaming inside. I had told her many, many times how much I hated this place, and all I wanted to do was get away. I had told her I was no teacher, I hated teaching, and I was just running in place here’ (Gaines 14). The statement shows that Grant hated staying and teaching in a community where people did not learn anything. However, Grant’s impression about the people begins to change due to his continued interaction with Jefferson. Jefferson is committed to learn and make his godmother proud, even if he only has a few days left to live.

Jefferson’s conviction to learn completely changes the view of Grant on the Black folks in the community. Grant begins to understand that most of the people in the community have lost hope just because they do not have anything to hope for in life. Over time, Jefferson begins to attract Grant’s attention by becoming more interested in their learning lessons. Jefferson’s progress in learning prompts Grant to start learning afresh on how to understand the Black people in the community. For most of his life, Grant had been convinced that the Black people could not learn. The fact that Jefferson started to show interest in learning showed grant that he had missed something in his assessment of the Black people in the community. This realization sets the turning point for Grant as he seeks his path towards becoming a hero, just the way he had explained to Jefferson.

Towards the end of the book, Grant exercises his first act of heroism by buying Jefferson a radio. Grant learns a lot that he did not know about heroism from this first act. One of the lessons that Grant learns is that people do not react in the same way as an act of heroism. For instance, Grant disagrees with Reverend Ambrose over the decision to buy Jefferson the radio. Reverend Ambrose believed that Grant would give Jefferson religious teachings rather than buy him a radio to listen to secular music. Grant also learned the fact that acts of heroism are relative. Not everyone in the society will look at what you do as heroic (Franco 371). According to Grant, he had expressed an act of heroism by buying Jefferson the radio because it made Jefferson’s life better. This could be expressed from Jefferson’s happy and satisfied impression upon receiving the radio. The reverend could have thought that Grant misunderstood his intentions for Jefferson, but Grant was convinced that what he did had made Jefferson’s life better. At this moment of the book, Grant begins to embody his idea of heroism.

Grant finally embraces the idea of heroism fully by acknowledging Jefferson’s heroism in front of everyone. Grant marks the greatest attributes of a hero, which is acknowledging the heroism of others (Keczer et al. 1). Seemingly, Grant finally succeeds in changing the life of another person in the community. Grant had believed that the Black people in the town could not receive redemption. However, it is surprising in the end when other people acknowledge the great work that he did to turn Jefferson into a hero. After Jefferson’s execution, Paul claims that ‘He was the strongest man in that crowded room, Grant Wiggins,’ Paul said, staring at me and speaking louder than was necessary. ‘He was, he was. I’m not saying this to make you feel good, I’m not saying this to ease your pain’ (Gaines 202). This acknowledgment marks the completion of Grant’s cycle into becoming a hero.

Grant’s character changes from a man who does not believe in fellow Black people. He believes that they are beyond saving. Therefore, he plans to leave the community and his profession. However, Grant changes to a hero after giving Jefferson a definition of what heroes do. Grant also learns that change takes time and patience through his encounter with Jefferson. Grant also learns various lessons from the changes that he encounters while interacting with Jefferson. Grant learns that change needs patience and resilience. He also learns that not everyone is willing to accept change. However, Grant proves his theory of heroism at the end of the book. Jefferson takes Grant as his hero based on what Jefferson had done for him during his time on death row. Readers of the book can also learn the same lesson to exercise patience and conviction in order to embrace change. The changes that Grant undergoes in the book can happen to anyone who is committed to change. Grant shows readers that everyone can become a hero if they do things that benefit others rather than things that only benefit them. Other characters in the book, such as Paul, are able to appreciate this fact and acknowledge what Grant had accomplished with Jefferson by turning him into a hero that people could celebrate after he is gone.

In A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J Gaines, addresses a few of the major race and identity issues that plagued the United States past and in some ways still linger into the present. The character which the memoir takes place in the 1940s and revolves around a character which goes by the name of Jefferson. He is a man who is mentally slow, somewhat literate and becomes the innocent bystander to a shootout with two black robbers and a white store owner. Jefferson is falsely convicted of murder and given the death penalty. Later on, in the trial, his attorney attempts to get him out of death row by saying that killing Jefferson would be like putting down a hog; comparing the two by intellect. His grandmother, who is greatly displeased and offended by this claim seeks out the help of a local white teacher who goes by the name of Grant Wiggins, begging him to gain access to her jailed grandson and educate him so that he may face his death with dignity.

Personally, Grant has mixed feelings towards the people of the poor community he was raised so close to. After some time the two men who have both been shaped by the racism which has been present around them for their entire lives, create a relationship that in the end, changes them both. Though the outcome is inevitable Jefferson still ends up being put to death by electrocution, but the message and lesson conveyed by the two’s relationship, emotions, and experience of the trial show that the ever-present racism and prejudice must and can be changed. Gaines effectively conveys this message not only with the use of an outstanding story but also with the astounding use of detail and in-depth explanation of carcter personal thought. The main use of detail was during key scenes and events in the memoir’s timeline.

The first of which being in the first few pages of the book where the reader is almost completely transported into the courtroom itself. Gains takes extra care in explaining not only the inanimate portions of the scene, but the expressions on people’s faces as well. The descriptive language used throughout the book instills a realistic feeling of tension and sympathy for the characters and situations that are described. The explanation of characters’ thoughts and or thought processes are mainly reserved for the two main characters, but is extremely well exercised when describing Jefferson’s thoughts towards the end of the memoir by the use of diary entries. A full chapter (29) is used to display some of Jefferson’s entries especialy more towards the day of his execution. The way in which this section is written includes many misspellings and gramaticaly errors to further show and make more realistic to the reader, his lack of a full education. His thoughts also portray the changes that he has undergone mainly in a mental format thanks to Grants’ influence. The main overall message of Jeffersons’ entries shows how he has mentally changed from the point in the trial at which he is labeled as a hog by his own lawyer, to the point to which Grants has gotten him too.

The memoirs’ major use of description and character personal thought gives the reader a gateway into experiencing the prejudice and racism of the time in which it takes place, and some aspects which still linger in our society to this very day. This gateway shows how these prejudice and racist ways can be changed by interaction and the willingness and desire to and for change.

In the American Novel, A Lesson Before Dying, Ernest J. Gaines confronts the societal contribution of racism and discrimination in the lives of African Americans, specifically in regards to young Jefferson, who is convicted of a crime he did not commit. However, protagonist Grant Wigins, in light of all of the injustice, helps Jefferson become an example of positive change in the African American community, denying the habitual cruelty of the past.

Jefferson is a simple-minded, black, young adult who was unfortunately caught in the wrong place, at the wrong time. He is seen in a store with two others, who were responsible for shooting a white storekeeper for money and alcohol. In attempt to flee the situation, Jefferson is caught, charged with murder, and wrongly convicted to die by the electric chair. A good friend of Jefferson’s mother, Miss Emma, in hearing the all-white jury call him “a hog”, becomes determined to see Jefferson transform his mindset and self-image from a hog into the strong black man that he is. In an attempt to do so, Tante Lou, Jefferson’s grandmother, and Miss Emma persuade an African American school teacher, Grant Wiggins to help Jefferson die with pride and dignity (Sullivan).

Grant’s intelligence and respect as a teacher among the people in the community is affected by his bitterness towards the racially unjust in the town, making him resentful and depressed. The impoverished state of the African Americans leads to a downward spiral of injustice, racism, and lack of education. Grant’s desire to flee the impoverished community and start a life for himself is firm in his mind as he considers the circumstances and the never-ending cycle of injustice. As Grant gets to know Jefferson, he soon realizes that Jefferson has become the poster child of African American oppression. This reality begins to take root in the life of young Jefferson as he wrestles with feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, accepting the reality of dying a hog. Jefferson refers to his race to explain why he has such a limited capacity. For him, being asked to stand on his own two feet as a man is a lot to ask, even though he is twenty-one years old. It shows how much racism can affect whether or not people can imagine a different life. Jefferson fully accepts this fate when he eats on all fours only using his face in the cell, fully accepting a hog as his new identity. This displays Jeffersons’ dire need to be shown the man he was from the beginning (Sullivan).

Even in the midst of Grants bitterness, he begins to realize the potential of racial, impoverished, and educational change in the future. The realization compels him to accept the responsibility of encouraging Jefferson and coax him out of an isolated state, in order to be the poster child for positive change in the history of generational injustice. Grants intentionality towards Jefferson in jail reminds Jefferson of the support that he has from the African American community and the realization that he is not a hog. Grants encouragement allows Jefferson to begin to understand that he is a human again, which compels Jefferson to be brave in the face of injustice, even on the brink of death. This sense of responsibility to Jefferson allows Grant to reflect on his own life and for the first time, claim responsibility for the future of the town, and for himself. His role as a teacher not only plays a significant role in the students of the community, but a role in being an agent of change in the culture of the unjust community as a whole.

Throughout the visits, Grants obligation becomes a passion as he begins to be taught by the one he is teaching. As Grants visits become regular, he begins to understand himself, and his words towards Jefferson begin to resonate in his own heart as well. As Grants hard heart begins to soften, he begins to accept his responsibility as a black man in a predominantly white community who have constantly kept african Americans under their feet. Throughout the months leading up to the execution date, Jefferson, Grant, and the community learn the importance of standing again in the midst of racial and impoverished circumstances. Miss Emma’s encouragement towards her son Jefferson allowed him to stand tall and walk on his execution date without fear of dying a hog. Her consistent meals and persistent dialogue in the face of Jefferson’s isolation always symbolized her motherly unconditional love. Her sense of strength was like an anchor in the life of Jefferson, allowing him to stand firm and strong in the roughest of storms and know that she was fighting for him all along. The young men were able to regain their hope and strength again, recognizing their true worth and dignity (Gaines).

After the inspirational death of Jefferson, it was only a catalyst of change for Grant to continue to fight for the oppressed. The lens he once looked through was broken as he picked up a lens of hope and change for the unfair standards between white and black students of the community. He began to establish change in black education that the white people lacked, by demonstrating what it means to be a man. Grant represents a reciprocating teaching of strength and dignity to the rest of the broken community by distilling aspiration and identity into the hearts of the children and the community again. “ But what she wants to hear first is that he did not crawl to that white man, that he stood at that last moment and walked. Because if he did not, she knows that she will never get another chance to see a black man stand for her'(Gaines). After Jefferson’s execution, Miss Emma’s wish came true when Paul, a white cop, tells Grant of the bravery he had never seen in the execution room as he stood tall like a true man. The ending displays the alliance between both black and white, proving the importance of standing tall in the midst of injustice.

Groundbreaking and thought-provoking, I chose The Second Sex as my second book for this essay. The Second Sex is one of the first bold attempts to address the role of women in society and the history behind that role. Today, almost seventy years later, it is still considered one of the most influential books regarding gender equality and women’s equal rights. De Beauvoir states in her book, “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman” (Beauvoir). Therefore, making the argument throughout the text that men structurally oppress women by labeling them as the “other” sex, and non-essential. De Beauvoir explains that it is instinctual for people to view themselves in competition with others, but in regards to gender, males take it a step further and see women as absolutely inferior, even to the point of denying her the human rights that she is entitled to. This book takes a closer look at the reason why men have a complex of superiority, and where it originates from. De Beauvior addresses biological, environmental, and historic factors in the book, and point out that there are distinct differences between men and women. But, these differences still do not provide the rationale for the inferior treatment of women. Historically, men and women had different roles that were clearly defined, and not broken. Men were the intellectuals and financial providers, whereas women were to take care of the home, the children, and the physical and emotional needs of her husband. This stereotype that has been carried on through the years affects women’s psychological development and produces generations of women who truly believe they are inferior to men. This division between genders and the roles assigned to them places men in a position of economic, sexual, and social power (Johnson). While history tells a story of origin, De Beauvoir makes the point that it is only a reflection of past injustices and skewed attitudes, which can be fundamentally changed as our society progresses forward and improves.

De Beauvoir also discusses how myth takes a role in our conceptions of women. Women are often symbols of life, sexuality, and fertility; and while there is nothing wrong with that, it can often overshadow and rob women of their individuality. The ability to reproduce isn’t part of a woman character, but simply a function of her body. The potential of bringing life into the world is a blessing, but a woman does not find her worth in her ability to conceive. The Second Sex follows the stages of female youth, and explains how girls are molded into feminine creatures from the moment they are born, through their upbringing. Girls are trained to be passive, obedient, and often dependent on a male figure. These attributes are considered “lady-like”, and if you want to be seen as respectable, you blindly accept these traits as your own. From an early age, society reaffirms these expectations and does not give girls equal opportunity to be independent and pursue an individualistic life. If you are to achieve your aspirations, you have to work twice as hard as men and still accept the womanly duties that are expected of you.

As an adult, females are expected to take on multiple roles: wife, mother, and entertainer (Beauvoir). No matter how hard a woman tries, juggling these roles can inevitably lead to feelings of inadequacy and great frustration, and places significant emphasis on her ability to nurture and reproduce. As a woman begins to approach old age, these abilities are taken from her and she feels she has lost her identity. De Beauvoir insists that “a woman’s situation is not a result of her character. Rather, her character is a result of her situation. Her mediocrity, complacency, lack of accomplishment, laziness, passivity—all these qualities are the consequences of her subordination, not the cause” (Beauvoir).

De Beauvoir concludes the book by stating she believes that women need to be financially independent, or have the means to do so, to be happy and fulfilled in life. The emotional, physical and financial dependence on men that society pushes on women leads to unhealthy codependency that leaves a woman feeling inadequate and unfulfilled. Instead, she should fight to be seen as an equal, and work hard to achieve her goals.

Just like the examples in Chapter 10 of our textbook, Race in America, these two books depict a picture of inequality between both race and gender. While the criminal justice system and social system may fail us at times, we must demand respect and the human decency we all deserve. It is essential to push on and pursue equal treatment for all people, despite the color of their skin or their sexual identity.

Ernest J Gaines wrote A Lesson Before Dying to share that despite what society thinks of you, you have the power to define who you are. He uses symbols, and figurative language to show the mutual development of Jefferson and Grant throughout the story.Gaines uses the symbol of the window to represent freedom for Jefferson. The window is an opening to the outside world. When Grant and his nannan first visit Jefferson at the jail, Grant noted the window was high on the wall not allowing him to be able to see fully out of it only seeing the tops of trees, and the sky. At first, Gaines uses the window as a way for Jefferson to mentally escape from his visitors. For example, on page 82 Grant says, “ After a while, he raised his head, but he didn’t look at me; he looked at the barred window”. Gaines uses small gestures like this one to illustrate Jefferson’s reluctance to open up to Grant. However later on in the story in the story Gaines uses the window to highlight how much their relationship has grown. “ he studied me a while, then he turned his back and looked up at the window. ‘So pretty out there’ he said ‘so pretty I have never seen it so pretty then he turns his back and looked up at the window. So pretty out there he said so pretty they never seem so pretty’”(225). In this quote not only does it show Jefferson willingly participating in a conversation, but also he is confiding in Jefferson. Telling him about what he sees through the window and his new hope.Gaines also uses food as a symbol to show acceptance. This is illustrated when Grant declines food at Mr. Pichot’s house, the white plantation owner. He feels that eating Mr. Pichot’s food would only be an insult to himself. We see this when he says “ I damned sure would not add hurt to injury by eating at his

Ernest J Gaines wrote A Lesson Before Dying to share that despite what society thinks of you, you have the power to define who you are. He uses symbols, and figurative language to show the mutual development of Jefferson and Grant throughout the story.

Gaines uses the symbol of the window to represent freedom for Jefferson. The window is an opening to the outside world. When Grant and his nannan first visit Jefferson at the jail, Grant noted the window was high on the wall not allowing him to be able to see fully out of it only seeing the tops of trees, and the sky. At first, Gaines uses the window as a way for Jefferson to mentally escape from his visitors. For example, on page 82 Grant says, “ After a while, he raised his head, but he didn’t look at me; he looked at the barred window”. Gaines uses small gestures like this one to illustrate Jefferson’s reluctance to open up to Grant. However later on in the story in the story Gaines uses the window to highlight how much their relationship has grown. “ he studied me a while, then he turned his back and looked up at the window. ‘So pretty out there’ he said ‘so pretty I have never seen it so pretty then he turns his back and looked up at the window. So pretty out there he said so pretty they never seem so pretty”(225). In this quote not only does it show Jefferson willingly participating in a conversation, but also he is confiding in Jefferson. Telling him about what he sees through the window and his new hope.

Gaines also uses food as a symbol to show acceptance. This is illustrated when Grant declines food at Mr. Pichot’s house, the white plantation owner. He feels that eating Mr. Pichot’s food would only be an insult to himself. We see this when he says “ I damned sure would not add hurt to injury by eating at his kitchen table”(46). This quote helps readers understand that though Pinchot decided to be Jefferson’s lawyer, Grant doesn’t respect him and has too much respect for himself to share food with him. We also see Jefferson going from not eating Mrs. Emma’s food at all than eating like a hog and finally eating at the table with everyone. This supports the fact that food represents acceptance because as Jefferson accepts different ideas his eating habits change. When he accepted the fact that he was a hog he ate the food in the manner that the hog would eat. Once he accepted Grant as a friend, he ate in a more humane manner.

Gaines uses repetition to show Jefferson and Grant’s growth of understanding of what it means to be a man. On page 73 Jefferson repeatedly says” It don’t matter”, nothing matters to him anymore because he was going to die anyway. This theme of repetition can also be seen in chapter 8 when Grant was visiting Mr. Antoine. The previous teacher makes it clear that Grant staying there was a mistake for staying because “You have to go away to know about life. There’s no life here. There’s nothing but ignorance”(65). Both Grant and Jefferson are set in a nothing matters attitude and a way of living. However, we see this idea change to both characters caring about the people around them and realizing life does matter. We see this on page 224 when Jefferson decides that he will be a man. He starts his monologue off in what seems to be a complaining manner, saying “Me, Mr. Wiggins. Me. Me to take to the cross. Your cross, nannan’s cross, my own cross. Me, Mr. Wiggins”(224). This shows that Jefferson has come to the understanding that it is his duty to support everyone and if he doesn’t then they will all fail. After this speech Grant notes that Jefferson is “big and tall,” and he isn’t “stooped as he had been in chains”(225). This shows that the idea of dying and carrying everyone’s burden no longer weighs Jefferson down because he has learned that being a man is about caring for your community. He realized that life does matter and he will die knowing that he is a man. We the effect of Jefferson’s transition into manhood on the way that Grant thinks. On the day of the execution Grant questions what will happen next because” Nothing will ever be the same after today”(248). This shows that the death of Jefferson impacted the way the life of a man should be.

Gaines used the symbolism of the window and food to represent the freedom and acceptance that Jefferson and Grant find in each other. He also uses repetition to show what being a man was first perceived as, and then to represent what being a man truly means. He uses all of this to show that Grant and Jefferson’s mutual growth is what shaped their individual growth.

Withdrawal of emotion and empathy are common symptom in people who struggle with depression. In the novel, A Lesson Before Dying, Grant promised his aunt’s friend, Miss Emma, that he would help her godson, Jefferson, keep hold of his pride after receiving the death penalty. Grant’s obligation to teach Jefferson how to die with dignity ultimately benefits Grant by allowing himself to connect with his empathic nature.

Grant Wiggins could be described as a lost soul. He constantly debates if it would be worth it to drop everything and start his life over somewhere else. Many of the relationships in his life are strained in some way, such as, Grant has spent most of his life away from his parents. He and his aunt are quite passive-aggressive towards each other. Vivian, his girlfriend, is frequently preoccupied with her kids and her divorce, in addition to, his former teacher, Matthew Antoine, constantly has told him to give up his dreams. The combination of these relationships has made him feel unwanted. When the jury reached the verdict that Jefferson had been found guilty. Grant goes to talk to Tante Lou and Miss Emma, “Her large dark face showed all the pain she has gone through this day… Jefferson is dead… There is nothing I can do about it” (14). He knows Miss Emma is in great anguish. Yet he still continues to talk in a blunt and crude manner. This exhibits a clear lack of empathy. Calling a living man, dead is cruel especially knowing the circumstances. Grant is aware of the pain a godmother may be compelled to be feeling knowing her godson is going to die for a crime, she believes he didn’t commit. After, meeting with Jefferson for a long while and finally seeing a bit of progress. He learns his student Irene wants to become a teacher and leaves her in charge of his class, “Leaving Irene Cole and Odessa Freeman in charge of classes I drove to Bayonne” (187). Although this is a small gesture, it shows a clear improvement, from when he smacked a child on the back of the head with a ruler for looking at an insect. Seeing the difference he is making with Jefferson he realizes that he will be able to help others as well. He is beginning to care about others and his actions are reflecting his feelings. Grant is starting to allow himself to feel again instead of suppressing his emotions.

Being an African-American male in 1940’s Louisiana, at the peak of segregation, he is constantly oppressed by his caucasian peers. He has gone through more education than most African Americans, they believe Grant thinks he is superior to them. This leaves him feeling isolated and like he doesn’t belong to either group. Learning how much Jefferson loves music he offers to buy him a radio. While being checked into the jail, the sheriff mispronounces batteries, “Yes sir batries…I had almost said batteries” (184). He does not correct the sheriff and decreases the intelligence of his language to avoid an argument so Jefferson can have a working radio, which reveals how much he cares about Jefferson’s happiness. Earlier in the novel, Grant was having a conversation with the sheriff and his brother-in-law and refused to dumb down his language which caused a bit of a quarrel. This event reveals definite progress in his selflessness, sacrificing his pride to make Jefferson’s last days a bit more enjoyable is a genuine act of kindness. After Jefferson was executed, Paul the deputy came to Grant’s school to give him Jefferson’s Journal the gift he wanted grant to keep. He tells him how Jefferson kept his head up and died with pride, “I saw the transformation, Grant Wiggins… I didn’t do it… maybe he did it himself” (254). Granny not taking credit for helping Jefferson demonstrates how the situation became more than just an obligation. His compassion for Jefferson became so strong that it taught him to be empathetic towards others. Shortly after, his conversation with Paul he begins to cry. Him crying represents the final release of emotion that he has been holding back for the entire novel. Grant’s journey with Jefferson taught him, not only, to care about others but take their emotions into account.

Grant Wiggins was always seen as a strong man but would hold back his feelings any chance he got. After, fulfilling his obligation to help Jefferson die with pride. He soon realized that in order to connect with someone, one must wear their heart on their sleeve. His relationship with Jefferson will continue to benefit Grant in his current romances and friendships as well as ones to come.