Wiggins And Jefferson example essay topic

? A Lesson Before Dying? by Ernest J. Gaines takes place in the South, during the time of the Civil War as blacks started to gain there freedom. A black man by the name of Jefferson happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and was convicted of murdering a white bar tender. In front of the jury he was made to look like a fool by his own attorney. His attorney trying to plea the smphathtic role, made Jefferson out to be a? hog? , which angered his mom. Thought he was still found guilty of the crime, his mother wanted him to dye a man not a? hog?

So his mom had a school teacher by the name of Wiggins teach Jefferson that he wasn? t a? hog? , but a man. As Wiggins visited Jefferson and paid attention to his time of distress, they both had changing attitude toward what was happen and both learned an valuable lesson from each other. At the beginning of the story when Jefferson's mom asks Wiggins to help Jefferson, Wiggins really didn? t want to be bothered with him. He was flustered with his job as a school teacher and sick in tried of not living life. Even thought he agreed to help Jefferson out, he still had no idea how he would do it.

He took out his frustration on the children he taught, by telling them his problem. He said, ? Do you know what his nanna n wants me to do before they kill him?? (39) and? Suppose I was allowed to visit him, and suppose I reached him and made him realize that he was as much a man as any other man; then what, he's still going to dye.? (39) These are key examples showing that he didn? t want to do this and he had a very negative attuide toward helping Jefferson.

With his attuide for helping Jefferson being in a negative way and Jefferson's attuide being negative because of what his attorney had said about him and him dying. How would he learn to became a man? Jefferson's negative attuide was understandable because he was about to die, but he still had to realize he is a man not a? hog? He believed what the attorney had said about him and when the judge asked if he had any last words he just, ? looked down in self pity and shock his head.? (9) He was show assumed of himself that he wouldn? t eat or wear any of the things his mom brought to him. Even when his mom brought him his favorite dish he replied, ?

It don? t matter.? (73) As Wiggins stared to visit Jefferson they both started to change there negative attunes about there situation. Wiggins started to open himself to Jefferson and he did the same. At first when Jefferson didn? t want anything for himself he was depressed about what was said about him, but as Wiggins made him realize he was a man he started being more like a man. Wiggins had asked him if he wanted something and he replied, ?

I want me a gallon of ice cream? (170) he than smiled when wiggins said he would get it for him. This showed that he had something to look forward to. Wiggins then said.? Do you want me to bring you a little radio next time I come? , (172) which was another thing that made Jefferson a little happier.

As the conversion kept going between them Jefferson started remembering the robber and started to get depressed. Wiggins than said, ? Inez is still giving her fair up this quarter? (171) trying to get his mind off of the robbery. This starts to show that Wiggins is starting to care more and that Jefferson is starting to act like a man.

Toward the end of the story Wiggins states to realize that he is reaching Jefferson and that Jefferson is starting to reach him. He says, ? Your more than a man than I am, Jeff.? (225) realizing that Jefferson taught him that no matter what little thing you can do to help someone out, you are influencing someone's life for the better. Heroic actions not neccerliy have to be big just talking to someone and listening is being heroic. Jefferson replied, ?

I? m go? n to do my best, Mr. Wiggins? (225) showing that he was going to be the best man he could possibly be. He had learned that he is a man and not a? hog? He taught Jefferson to be a man and no matter what other people say he will always be a man.

Wiggin's gained great respect to Jefferson, during the day when Jefferson's death was taking place he told his class this, ? In a couple of minutes it will be 12: 00 p. m., I will ask you to get down on your knees and remain on your knees until I ask you to get up.? (250) Shown that his attuide toward Jefferson turned toward compassion for his time of death. Wiggins and Jefferson both taught each other a lesson, Jefferson is a man and Wiggins could be a hero even doing the simplest task. Even thought Jefferson still dyed, he died a man. 331.