The Reasons
Brooke Holcomb
Professor Yarbrough
English 112
4 April 2013
The Lessons In a Lesson Before Dying Jefferson was not the only one to learn a lesson. Jefferson did more for Grant then he knows. There is not only one lesson In A Lesson Before Dying there are many, Ernest J. Gaines teaches the important lessons all the way from dignity to caring for others to both Jefferson and Grant. Jefferson was convicted of murder and sentenced to the death penalty. When Grant was first made to go see Jefferson and things didn’t go over to well. Nothing clicked and Jefferson did not say anything to Miss Emma or Grant. Dr. Michael Barry says that “For a time, then, Grant’s main motive for helping Jefferson is that he is doing a favor for Vivian.” (Barry 3) Although, as the visits came and went Grant and Jefferson were finally able to connect. Barry also says, “Grant is finally able to connect with Jefferson after a stretch of time in which Jefferson vents his resentment upon him and on Miss Emma. “ (Barry 3) “Grant challenges Jefferson to defy this myth, to show white people who perceive him as inferior, as being subhuman, as being a “hog,” that he in fact is a human being” (Piacentino 73). Not only does Jefferson learn how to die as a “man” he also dies with a little faith. Reverend Ambrose pulled Grant to the side and asks him to bring God into Jefferson’s life. Grant refuses to because he does not believe in God and he refuses to lie to Jefferson. Although, one day Jefferson asks if Grant believes in God, Grant says he does. This is because he is looking out for the best for Jefferson. Grant does many things for Jefferson for just the short time he knows him. He gets Jefferson a radio and a diary. Jefferson looks up to Grant a lot and loves having someone there to talk too and having someone that actually cares for him. Jefferson and Grant have a strong connection when Grants tells him that he can be a hero. Grant says he could never be a hero, he is just a school
Professor Yarbrough
English 112
4 April 2013
The Lessons In a Lesson Before Dying Jefferson was not the only one to learn a lesson. Jefferson did more for Grant then he knows. There is not only one lesson In A Lesson Before Dying there are many, Ernest J. Gaines teaches the important lessons all the way from dignity to caring for others to both Jefferson and Grant. Jefferson was convicted of murder and sentenced to the death penalty. When Grant was first made to go see Jefferson and things didn’t go over to well. Nothing clicked and Jefferson did not say anything to Miss Emma or Grant. Dr. Michael Barry says that “For a time, then, Grant’s main motive for helping Jefferson is that he is doing a favor for Vivian.” (Barry 3) Although, as the visits came and went Grant and Jefferson were finally able to connect. Barry also says, “Grant is finally able to connect with Jefferson after a stretch of time in which Jefferson vents his resentment upon him and on Miss Emma. “ (Barry 3) “Grant challenges Jefferson to defy this myth, to show white people who perceive him as inferior, as being subhuman, as being a “hog,” that he in fact is a human being” (Piacentino 73). Not only does Jefferson learn how to die as a “man” he also dies with a little faith. Reverend Ambrose pulled Grant to the side and asks him to bring God into Jefferson’s life. Grant refuses to because he does not believe in God and he refuses to lie to Jefferson. Although, one day Jefferson asks if Grant believes in God, Grant says he does. This is because he is looking out for the best for Jefferson. Grant does many things for Jefferson for just the short time he knows him. He gets Jefferson a radio and a diary. Jefferson looks up to Grant a lot and loves having someone there to talk too and having someone that actually cares for him. Jefferson and Grant have a strong connection when Grants tells him that he can be a hero. Grant says he could never be a hero, he is just a school