A Lesson Before Dying Film Analysis

Both the novel and the film adaptation of Ernest J. Gaines , A Lesson Before Dying illustrates the theme of coming of age ; however in the novel this theme is better discussed. Through the use of lighting , soundtrack ,and camera angles the director is able to portray the theme of coming of age. While , in the novel Ernest J. Gaines uses dialogue and characterization to express this theme. As some scene’s are better developed than others the watcher and reader are able to receive specific feedback and the portraying of different emotions.

Both in the novel and the movie the impacting scene of Jefferson on all fours and behaving as a hog occurs. However, in the novel this scene is impactful to the character development of Jefferson , “ He knelt down on the floor and put his head inside the bag and started
eating , without using his hands he even sounded like a hog (Gaines 93)”. Jefferson making the sounds of a hog and eating out of a bag elaborates on his feelings of depression and worthlessness. As Jefferson, chooses to behave as an ignorant animal the reader begins to understand how much the attorney’s words degraded him. While in the movie Jefferson gets on all fours and eats ,pieces of sound imagery are missing making the scene less impactful. This scene is filmed with harsh lighting , a lower angle shot , and through the prison bars. The harsh lighting highlights the cell ,and the camera at a lower angle and being shot through the bars makes Jefferson appear as feeble , and animal like. The film does not portray the emotional issues that come with making the hog sound. As in the novel Jefferson does not have to be seen at a lower level to be seen as meak , but rather him making an inhumane sound reiterating the fact he believes he is a hog. Jefferson's such low self-esteem leads him on path of destruction that later causes him character development that is not seen in the film.

Jefferson’s narrative occurs in Chapter 29 in the novel allowing the reader to understand his newfound bravery and maturity. The quote , “ Mr Wigin thank you for saying i'm doing b+ and you know the a aint too far (Gaines)” , shows Jefferson's maturity as he has the motivation to please Mrs. Emma. Jefferson wants to die a young proud man shown through the statement , “ you know the a aint too far” exhibiting Jefferson’s drive to achieve as he has enough pride to note of the complement. Jefferson’s narrative is not exactly stated making meaning to become inferred in the background surroundings . As Jefferson is writing the music is soft , the lights are dim ,there is an extreme close-up, and camera movement happens in the scene . As the camera, starts at an higher angle making Jefferson seem small and meek ,but then the camera moves to be equal to Jefferson. The camera movement symbolizes the change in Jefferson he has matured and learned his lesson. The extreme close up on Jefferson provides understanding to Jefferson's emotions, in the film Jefferson's face is shown with pride and content. Meaning, he has accepted his fate ,and he is now considered a man.

One of the most important scene’s of the novel does not occur at the end of the film.
Paul’s respect for Jefferson signifies he is a man , “ He was , he was. I’m not saying this to make you feel good… He was the strongest man there”. Paul a white deputy considered in society higher than Jefferson ,but on the day of the execution Jefferson was the considered the highest ranking man in the room. Jefferson being the strongest man signifies his lesson of pride. With Paul's statement being excluded from the film the ending leaves the narrative empty. The viewer does not feel, as if Jefferson is equal to his societal members with the closure missing. As Grant and Paul’s dialogue provides key intel due to Grant not attending the execution.
As, both the novel and the film of , A Lesson Before Dying the theme coming of age is portrayed. Though, each narrative portrays the theme of coming of age in its own way. As in the novel character development is used to signify such change. Rather than in the movie where film techniques are used. As scenes are elaborated and cut in the film the coming of age point is portrayed strongly in some scene’s rather than
others.