A Lesson Before Dying Eye-Opening Statement
In reading the book A Lesson Before Dying, I believe that many lives were changed by Jefferson. The days before his persecution impacted many lives in the community. From the children Grant taught, his family and friends to the jailor that worked at the courthouse. Jefferson was a poor African-American young man who was uneducated, had a low self-esteem, and he worked on the plantation since he was a child. One day he was at the wrong place at the wrong time and was found guilty for the actions of his friends that had attempted to rob a store. Both of his friends were killed in this robbery as well as the store owner. During the court hearing, his own lawyer compared him to being no better than a hog. This statement was the eye-opening statement
for Miss Emma to request Grant to work with Jefferson to becoming a man and regaining his humanity. Miss. Emma stated to Grant, “I don’t want them to kill no hog”, she said. I want a man to go to that chair, on his own two feet” (Gaines, 1993, p. 13). With much persistence, Grant agreed to see Jefferson.
Grant is a bitter African American; he is one of the few at that time to receive an education and become a professor. He had a negative outlook on life and takes it out on those around him. He has no peace or contentment in most areas of his life. Although Grant is the teacher, Jefferson taught Grant many lessons in this period of time. As he seen the changes in Jefferson he learned that people can change, but change starts from within. Grant had to come to grips with society, himself, and take the first step for change. As I was coming to the end of the chapters, I was really hoping that Grant would go to the courthouse and be there for Jefferson as he was sent to the electric chair. I was a little disappointed that he didn’t.
Jefferson was a changed man by the end of the book. Grant had taught him how he could love, how to overcome society expectations, and how to find liberation in what time he had left. Grant brought out the inner man in Jefferson, and Jefferson brought out the inner man in Grant. Jefferson’s changes were more noticed by those around him. In the last moments of Jefferson’s life, Paul told Grant, “He was the strongest man in the crowded room” (Gaines, 1993, p. 253).
for Miss Emma to request Grant to work with Jefferson to becoming a man and regaining his humanity. Miss. Emma stated to Grant, “I don’t want them to kill no hog”, she said. I want a man to go to that chair, on his own two feet” (Gaines, 1993, p. 13). With much persistence, Grant agreed to see Jefferson.
Grant is a bitter African American; he is one of the few at that time to receive an education and become a professor. He had a negative outlook on life and takes it out on those around him. He has no peace or contentment in most areas of his life. Although Grant is the teacher, Jefferson taught Grant many lessons in this period of time. As he seen the changes in Jefferson he learned that people can change, but change starts from within. Grant had to come to grips with society, himself, and take the first step for change. As I was coming to the end of the chapters, I was really hoping that Grant would go to the courthouse and be there for Jefferson as he was sent to the electric chair. I was a little disappointed that he didn’t.
Jefferson was a changed man by the end of the book. Grant had taught him how he could love, how to overcome society expectations, and how to find liberation in what time he had left. Grant brought out the inner man in Jefferson, and Jefferson brought out the inner man in Grant. Jefferson’s changes were more noticed by those around him. In the last moments of Jefferson’s life, Paul told Grant, “He was the strongest man in the crowded room” (Gaines, 1993, p. 253).