A Lesson Before Dying: Character Analysis

In the novel, A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines, a black man by the name of Jefferson is convicted of murder because he was tricked into joining an armed robbery. Jefferson wason trial and was sentenced to die by the chair. In his lawyer's defense, he is called Jefferson a hog, and Jefferson starts to realize he will be nothing more than a hog. Jefferson's godmother, Miss Emma, would not let Jefferson think of himself as hog. Miss Emma wanted her godson to die a man not a hog. So, Miss Emma seeks out help from a man named Grant to educate Jefferson. While in jail, Jefferson meets deputy named Paul change the perspective of everyone.

While Jefferson is in jail, he is watched over by Paul. Paul is a very unique character in this novel. During this time period, whites and black were not treated as equal. Ironically, Paul broke down these barrier and believed all men shall be treated as equal. I believe Paul symbolizes the biblical character, Paul who was formerly Saul. Saul used to persecute Christians, but there was a change in his life. Saul's name changed to Paul and became a devout Christian. Paul also treated everyone as respectfully as God would. Paul in the novel is sign of change within the southern culture. He displays his thought of equality through the Americans.
Paul understands the hardship Jefferson is facing and wants to make his last hours alive happy. Paul is showing the emotion for the rest of the white community in the story. Paul is bold enough to not care about what other people perceive of him, and show equality to Jefferson. In Jefferson last hours, Jefferson gives some of his belongings to Paul as a gift and a sign of their friendship and Paul gladly accepts