Grant's Involvement With Jefferson example essay topic

A Lesson Before Dying: The Real Lesson Learned A Lesson Before Dying, is a complex novel about life's various lessons. It was written by a Louisiana native, Ernest J. Gaines and published in 1993. The story takes place in the Pre-Civil Rights South in the fiction ous rural town of Bayonne, Louisiana. The major focus of story lies between Jefferson and Grant Wiggins. Grant, a schoolteacher chosen to help Jefferson become a man. Jefferson is a young man wrongfully accused of killing a white man and is sentenced to death.

Gaines takes the reader through the journey of a man's quest to help another man to become a man. I will show various ways Gaines help the reader to realize the real "lesson' to be learned. Gaines begins his novel with Jefferson's trial, verdict and sentencing, but doesn't provide specific names of any of those involved. By doing so Gaines is able to focus the reader's full attention on the narrator's thoughts and the main character, Jefferson. If Gaines had given details about the other characters involved the reader would not have been able to focus his full energy on the importance of the things said during the trial and the effects these things had on Jefferson and the other characters. At this point it is important for the reader to take in and digest all the cruel things Jefferson's attorney says about him.

His attorney refers to him as "a boy', "a fool', "a cornered animal', and " a hog'. Jefferson accepts and internalizes this degrading image of himself. From this the reader will understand why Miss Emma's insistence that her godson die like a man is such a powerful issue. Gaines presentation of the information helps the reader to better accept the events that are to follow the trial.

Gaines narrates the novel through the voice of Grant Wiggins. Grant is a black teacher at the local plantation school. The novel opens with the statement, "I was not there, yet I was there. ' In this statement the reader enters the mind of Grant Wiggins. In this opening statement Grant is saying although he wasn't physically at the trial he already knew what the outcome would be.

Grant is also allowing the reader to see his views of the events as a predictable event over which he has little or no control. Additionally, the statement introduces the ironies of the novel, in which things are not always what they seem. After this the reader enters the trial of Jefferson. Jefferson is a twenty-one year old, uneducated black man accused of robbery and murder. The reader can easily predict his fate, even before the verdict is rendered. An all white jury in the Pre-Civil Rights South and a dead white store owner.

Unfortunately, there is no way for Jefferson to escape his punishment, even though he is innocent. The only thing he is guilty of is being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Throughout the novel Gaines focuses on the journey of Jefferson's last days, the persons involved and most importantly Grant's attempt to help him become a man. As I stated earlier, the story is presented through the mind and voice of Grant Wiggins.

I believe Gaines' has a special reason for using Grant as the narrator. I believe he chose Grant because he and Jefferson were different, but also alike. Grant was a man that had done everything he could possibly do to avoid being in Jefferson's situation. Unfortunately, Jefferson had not been as fortunate as he had and now it was his duty to make him a man.

However, there is the exception of chapters twenty-nine and thirty. Throughout the novel it is important that the reader look beyond the narrative of Grant. Without looking beyond Grant's thoughts the reader will not be able to receive the full understanding of the novel. It is important that the reader analyzes Grant's and the other characters actions throughout the story. This is the only way the reader will really be able to figure out exactly what is the lesson to be learned.

During chapter twenty-nine and thirty Gaines presents the story in points of view other than Grant's. In chapter twenty nine the reader is presented with Jefferson's thoughts through his diary. Also, during chapter thirty we are presented with the townspeople reaction to the arrival of "Gruesome Gerty', the portable electric chair. In these chapters I believe that Gaines moves away from Grant's point of view in order for the reader to understand the thoughts and reactions of others. Jefferson's diary gives him the chance to express the intimate feelings he had not been able previously to articulate. Also, it gives the reader for the first time an opportunity to understand the things that are going on in his mind.

In chapter thirty Gaines moves the focus to the electric chair. In this chapter Gaines use personification to describe "Gruesome Gerty' as evil. The reader is able to see the fear that is struck into the hearts of its citizens. As she is paraded down the streets of Bayonne. Also, we can say that part of their fear is due to guilt. Gerty forces them to admit that, by not taking a stand against a racist system, they are responsible for Jefferson's death.

In addition to the fear she strikes into the citizens, in this chapter the reader is able to focus on the reality of capital punishment and consider the state of mind of those involved in planning and carrying out the execution. Therefore, both chapters twenty-nine and thirty allow the reader to see the story from a different perspective. Gaines makes use of a chronological sequence throughout the story. The story begins during late October and concludes in early April, two weeks after Easter. I believe Gaines doesn't have any particular significance in choosing this time sequence. However, I do believe that he does use the execution during April to show some significance.

I believe Gaines is in some way paralleling Jefferson's execution to Jesus Christ's crucifixion. The execution will occur between noon and 3 p.m. on Friday, the same time frame as that of Jesus' crucifixion. In addition you can say both Jefferson and Jesus were two innocent men sentenced to death for something they were not guilty of. Gaines also, makes use of a flashback technique in chapter thirteen. In this instance, I believe these events are presented separately to show the transition Grant has made over time. In chapter thirteen Grant is discussing his beliefs towards church.

He is letting the reader know there was a time when he actively participated in church and he wasn't always the way he is now. Gaines use of this technique helps the reader to better understand and accept Grant for the person he is. In chapter thirty on the morning of Jefferson's execution day Gaines present the action through various points of view. I believe that since throughout the novel all the reader sees is the town of Bayonne and the circumstances surrounding Jefferson only through Grant's mind. In this chapter, the reader is able to see how Jefferson's execution is affecting the other townspeople. We are able to see that regardless of their differing perspectives both blacks and whites are affected by the impending execution.

As each person performs their morning routines, all are consumed with thoughts of Jefferson. By Gaines use of these various points of view we are able to see that all the townspeople are either directly or indirectly affected by Jefferson's execution. In the end the reader sees, how differently each person involved is affected by Jefferson's execution. Most importantly, the reader sees how drastically Grant's life is changed after his interaction with Jefferson. The most distinctive change noticed in Grant is after Jefferson's execution. Grant returns to his classroom, where he faces his students and cries before them.

Grant has now given up his Westcott ruler, indicating that through Jefferson he has been transformed from a bitter, cynical man to a caring, compassionate teacher. Also, through Jefferson, Grant has formed a friendship with Paul Bonin, the young deputy. This challenges the stereotype of the racist, white Southern law officer. The friendship between Grant and Paul give hope for the Civil Rights Movement. I believe that through Grant's involvement with Jefferson he realizes that he does has a purpose in Bayonne. His purpose is to teach and help direct as many children as possible and do everything in his power to help change their current conditions.

In the end Grant is finally able to deal with his hatred towards white, his arrogance and his detachment from the black community. Therefore, throughout the novel Gaines does an excellent job of telling such a tragic story with such an uplifting message behind it. The novel focuses on the struggles of the poor, oppressed people to gain pride and dignity in a hostile, racist environment. Throughout the novel we witness life in the black, segregated community of Bayonne and how it is deeply affected by Jefferson's impending death. Gaines does an excellent job in showing how we can learn important life lessons through others tragedies.

I believe the lesson learned is that we must never forget our past and always strive to improve our future.