Dignity In Ernest J. Gaines A Lesson Before Dying

A Lesson before Dying Essay
“No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.” – Booker T. Washington. What is the effect of a drastic difference in levels of formal education, social class and race? The aftermath can consist of a war between two nations, or racism to an extent where humanity is no longer taken into consideration. Inevitably there is one superior victor, leaving the remains of the opposing party nothing more than mere followers whom lack self-respect. In Ernest J. Gaines’ novel “A Lesson Before Dying“, the scarcity of human dignity is predominant throughout. It is important to realize the results due to superiority, racism and an absence in self-respect under those circumstances of no human dignity. Generally speaking, racialism occurs when
there is any prejudice or discrimination towards someone of a different race.
Just as it has occurred in the past, slavery of coloured people had started and lasted for over 300 years because nobody had taken a stand. With this in mind, In “A Lesson Before Dying”, Grant has similar experiences. For instance, Grant is let in through the back door of Henry Pichot’s house because he is considered “lower class” (pg42). He has not done anything about it and simply followed the “normal routine” as if everything was okay. The segregation through skin colour is also an evident sign of racism in “A Lesson Before Dying”. Schools, movie theatres, washrooms and other venues were separated; defined in one’s race-The white’s amenities being classier and superior that those for the blacks. Pages 54-56 of “A Lesson Before Dying”, states the arrival of Dr. Joseph to Grant’s classroom as he checks up on the students. Dr. Joseph voices racist
language that suggests he thinks of the students as mere objects, not people. “Higgins, I must compliment you. You have an excellent crop of students, an excellent crop, Higgins. You ought to be proud.” Likewise, Dr. Joseph implies that blacks should continue working in fields just as they have in the past; as physical laborers. By peering into the mouths of the poor children, Grant was able to decipher the fact that slave masters had done the same when purchasing new slaves and cattlemen when purchasing new horses. Grant, the one not being dignified enough, hasn’t said anything to Dr. Joseph by the way he was treating them, making Dr. Joseph appear superior to them. The book portrays the society’s reliance on skin colour/race to define which level of class one “truly” belongs in. As well as racism, superiority dominates the souls within this novel as well. To illustrate the lack of human dignity, Gaines makes Sheriff Guidry a dynamic character; he has the ability to help Grant communicate with Jefferson. Guidry articulates the ignorance, racism, and superiority of the people in power. With that sense, much dignity had to be lost in order to obtain this offering; making Sheriff Guidry almost “untouchable”. This superiority is exemplified in the conversation between Sheriff Guidry and Grant. For example: “Been waiting long?” (Guidry), Grant replies with “About two and a half hours, sir”, realizing he was supposed to say “Not long.” (Page 47) As they continue to speak about Miss Emma, Grant encounters another mistake. “She doesn’t feel that she has the strength to come up there all the time.” (Grant) “She doesn’t huh?’ Sam Guidry asked me. He emphasized, “don’t”. I was being too smart.”’(Page 48) Sheriff Guidry acts as if he was seeking validation that he heard right; asking Grant the same question again, ultimately trying to emphasize Grant’s fault. This showcases Sheriff Guidry’s superiority to Grant, making sure Grant knows his level. Superiority through the structure of the society is also evident in the book as the whites are classified to be in a “higher caliber” while the blacks are “expected” to remain as servants for them. The blacks, remaining as workers for the whites (with the exception of gaining a university diploma) shows that the structure of the society will not move forward unless actions are done. In addition, Matthew Antoine claims his predominance towards Grant, in a more intrusive manner. “What am I? Look at me. Where else could I have felt superior to so many but here?” Matthew thinks that he is superior to all black people just because he has “white in his blood.”(Creole) The only reason he stayed in the South was because of the astound feeling of superiority. The lack of dignity of a person or a group causes one or a different group to take advantage of the situation and make anyone who isn’t under it, feel inferior. Along with superiority, the lack of self-respect is assertive as well. Similar to Jefferson, when there is a lack of self-respect in society, people begin to deprive themselves; being influenced greatly by the media and their surroundings. Ernest J. Gaines sets a stronger atmosphere of “no dignity” in the beginning of the novel, following Jefferson’s imprisonment; he believes he is a hog. “You brought some corn... That’s what hogs eat.” (Jefferson page 83) This was not only mentally, but physically as well. “’I’m go’n to show you how a old hog eat,’ he said. 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.” Jefferson degrades himself to the level of a hog; doesn’t consider him a human being. “Y’all youmans,” he said. (Jefferson) “You’re a human being too, Jefferson.”(Grant) “’I’m a old hog,’ he said, more to himself than to me.” Due to his lack of dignity, Jefferson stubbornly but, persistently continues to refer to himself as a hog. It is clear that he has taken what the prosecutor had said, to heart. The lack of dignity causes no self-respect, which promotes people to lose belief in themselves. When there is an absence of human dignity, the results of superiority, racism and a lack of self-respect prevail greatly. Racism stretches far beyond what is morally correct; low expectations, disrespect, discrimination and even, segregation. Intertwining with racism, superiority is inevitably demanded by one particular person, or similar groups of people. When there is one whom is superior, he/she takes control, leaving the others to follow. Lack of self-respect is found in these followers as they can only listen to the media or their surroundings- they attain a very limited level of freedom. How will society improve if the “lower class” side of the community cannot stand up for themselves? To prosper in this life, we must realize that no matter race, culture, religion, authority- everyone is equally dignified and deserves to be treated equally.