Grant And Jefferson example essay topic

A Lesson Before Dying A mature person is someone who is or knows he can confront life in a strong way. Who can help others in a wise way. And most importantly: someone who knows his place in life, and knows who loves or cares for he or she. In Ernest J. Gaines A Lesson Before Dying, two characters, Grant and Jefferson experience the transformation from children to fully developed human beings by growing together.

Jefferson is a black seventeen- year old that has been unjustly sentenced to death. During the process of the trial he was discriminated intolerantly by his very own lawyer, by being called a hog. Now Grant, his old school teacher, must visit Jefferson every day, make him realize who he really is, and make Jefferson walk up to the electric chair with dignity and as a man. By sharing ideas and seeing new perspectives on life, they matured.

Grant learned to accept his place in life. Jefferson learned to be a man. Jefferson, a man accused unjustly, grows and matures into a man, after being called a hog. He doesn t appreciate Grant's visits in the beginning. At times, he refers to Grant as a child.

Almost as telling Grant that he is just a hog and nothing more. Y all you mans (p. 83). Jefferson proves to be less than a man or simply a hog, when he acts immature by indicating to Grant as a human. As something more. As something he is not or will never be. This quote shows Jefferson looking down to himself as a hog.

Grant, a black man who was forced to turn another into a grown man, goes through a long journey to find his own manhood inside himself. Sometimes Grant acts like a child, even though he should be turning Jefferson into a man. You can have your goddamn red beans and rice and towel and everything else. Damn this shit (p. 210). This proves how Grant can act like such a child. After Jefferson being called a hog, sentenced to death and no determination to want to progress, Jefferson, with the help of many people that love and believe in him, he finally walked to that chair as a man.

Jefferson proves his humanity while sharing his thoughts in a diary he is told to keep. I been shakin an shakin but im gon stay strong (p. 233). He's saying that he's scared, but he's going to walk up to that chair with dignity and nothing less than a man. By helping Jefferson grow into a man, Grant discovers many sides he must change in himself to finally call himself human or fully developed. Through Jefferson's sufferance and experience, Grant learns what being a man is.

And after the execution, Grant ends up looking at Jefferson as a hero. As a role model for all men. I don t know what you re going to say when you go back in there. But tell them he (Jefferson) was the bravest man in that room today.

I m a witness, Grant Wiggins. Tell them so. As Grant sees Jefferson grow from an insignificant hog to a grown man, he feels and sees the steps towards manhood. In the end, Grant admires and respects Jefferson and he realizes the significance of Jefferson's death. Grant and Jefferson became fully-developed human beings by growing together and helping each other find positive and negative sides in each other. It brought out the best in each of them.

Grant and Jefferson developed thanks to a very important stage in their lives death. It brings many thoughts to your head. To become a fully grown person, you must understand what you are living for because sometimes it leaves a meaning in what you are dying for.