Character Analysis: A Lesson Before Dying

Grant also wants to bring Jefferson a notebook so that he can write down what he thinks, and Jefferson agrees to do so. In the next visit, Grant goes with Miss Emma, Tante Lou, and Reverend Ambrose. Jefferson refuses to eat, so Grant asks Jefferson to walk with him. As they walk, Grant tells Jefferson that a hero does something for other people. Grant says that he is not a hero, and white people they know are not better than Jefferson. The white people believe that Jefferson has no dignity and love for his people, but Jefferson can prove them wrong.

Jefferson was like a mirror for Grant, he allowed Grant to realize his fault because Jefferson stood as a reflection of himself. Ultimately, being the reason Grant grew such an emotional attachment to

Grant a school teacher who works as a school teacher in the African American church of the town of Bayonne, Louisiana. Not only was Jefferson learning , so was Grant. “[Grant’s] eyes were closed before [the] moment [with] Jefferson[,] [Grant’s] eyes have been closed all [his] life” during this moment of realization Grant began to open his eyes and realize “[they] all need [Jefferson] [,] [e]very last one of [them]".This realization shows how Grant became open to the fact that transformation is possible for anyone who really tries. Grant used to be bitter; he neglected the fact that he could change his life or himself in any way because of the racial prejudice in his community. But once he saw Jefferson turn into a man who stands up straight and tall right before his eyes, his opinion on the possibility of change is altered. Grant’s thought that “it is finally over” is not only pertaining to Jefferson’s death which is portrayed symbolically by the butterfly, but also how Grant’s cowardly persona is “finally over” as well. Grant has finally taken a stand for what he believes

The main theme and lesson is that self-dignity is intrinsic to our survival. Jefferson even sacrificed his freedom, and ultimately his life, in order to die as a man with dignity. Although Miss Emma, Jefferson’s godmother, was old and frail, she did all that she could to make sure that Jefferson died nothing less than a man. In Jefferson’s last letter to Mr. Wiggins, he wanted to make sure that he was going to be remembered as a “strong man” (Gaines

Grant gives Jefferson a compassionate and heartfelt lecture/speech which causes Jefferson to start crying and it leads Grant to cry as

Grant is caring even when he doesn’t want to see Jefferson he still goes an see him. Although Grant know he won’t be able to change Jefferson mind about being a hog he still tries to put forth effort to change and plus he doesn’t want

The fact that Grant considers himself to be better than all of the black residents of Bayonne is one of the many things that holds Grant back from being an effective coach to assist Jefferson in his quest to become a man. Another contributing factor to his ineffective teaching is his lack of self confidence. If Jefferson does not see a worthy example of how to be a man, then he will never effectively become one himself. After a few visits to see Jefferson in his cell, persevering through his own belief that he is not making a difference, being told that he was wasting his time, he realized that he was doing much more than performing a favor for Miss Emma and Tante Lou. He realized that he wasn’t only trying to turn Jefferson into a man. This was Miss Emma and Tante Lou’s way of teaching himself a lesson on how to live his life and who he really is. “I need you,” I told him. “I need you much more than you could ever need me” (Gaines, 193). This quote represents the

Grant had the option to help Jefferson through his hard time. Grant could have gave up on and let him die with no dignity but he did not give up. Although Jefferson had negative thoughts and emotions while he was in the jail cell, Grant speaks to him with motivation and determination. Grant tells Jefferson “ You have the chance of being bigger than anyone who has ever lived on the plantation or come from this little town.” (Gaines, 193). Grant had a huge amount of responsibility to put some purpose in Jefferson’s life. Grant did this by making his own decisions and uplifting Jefferson and tried to bring meaning into his

Grant grew up on a plantation with his cousin Jefferson where their mothers Miss Emma and Tante Lou worked. When he grew up, he went to college and returned a teacher. When he returned he was greeted by a trial in which Jefferson was being tried. Jefferson is being accused of murder and stealing from a liquor store. While he’s innocent of murder, the judge believes otherwise and gives him a death sentence. He is to die by electric chair. Many thoughts occured

This novel documents Grant’s part in Jefferson’s spiritual journey from an apathetic man raging with anger and resentment, into a mentally strong man with motivation and a purpose. When Grant sees what he has helped Jefferson overcome, Grant himself goes through his own change. He begins to realize that he, as an individual, can make a difference, with Jefferson, with his students, and even within the far from perfect community of Bayonne, Louisiana. As well as affecting Jefferson, Grant’s

Grant has has also learned from Jefferson’s circumstance through his interactions with him. Grant learned that not only did he help change Jefferson’s life but he also even benefitted as well. Grant says “It’s finally over.” (Gaines 252). This demonstrates that not only is Grant accepting that the circumstance with Jefferson is done with but he also comes to the realization that he even learned to stand up for what he believed in; which was that African Americans should be treated equally as everyone else who is treated

Leaning on her ability to persuade, and using her power as an extensive friend to Tante Lou she can basically tell Grant what to do and gets away with it. She knew Grant did not want to go and teach Jefferson, but still went ahead with it. Driving along the St. Charles River I could feel Emma not looking at me, not looking at anything..just thinking. Like my Aunt she knew how much I hated all of this.(p.68) Miss Emma therefore forces Grant to do matters that she wants, not what Grant thinks he is capable of doing. Thirdly, Vivian, the love of his life, is also limiting Grant's ability to make decisions based strictly on his own intent. She understands Grant's need to leave and see new things, but has restrictions in her life that will not allow her to help Grant begin a new existence. Vivian is in the middle of a drawn out divorce and needs to see it through so she can maintain custody of her children. We see an example of this on page 93. Let's go somewhere and spend the night. Baton Rouge, New Orleans- anywhere, Grant asks. I can't, My Babies. This sentence alone describes the turmoil she is going through with her own threatening aspects and how it effects Grant's choices. I think the book is an intriguing novel and surfaced important issues dealt with in society. Religion, racism, and many other articles of today are just a few. But, Grant is a complex character and can be depicted thoroughly. His education holds him

He does not fully know his true nature nor does he know his own value. He is a very educated man, but he does not teach for pleasure because he is preoccupied with issues of his own. Grant wishes to leave Louisiana, but later on, it's discovered that he's already tried and ended up coming back. Vivian states that some people can simply move on and out of Louisiana but they, as teachers, cannot because they have a duty to fulfill. She says, "but we can't...We're teachers, and we have a commitment" (4.71). Grant tries to deny this, but it is seen that he actually cares about his community. Throughout the story, Grant slowly realizes his self-worth and how he is not only important to himself, but others around him as well. Grant states, "I feel like a person who just found religion” (Gaines 123), when he and Jefferson start to connect at last. This happiness is due to his progress with reaching Jefferson. While doing this, he is also starting to learn how to love himself and be happy with who he has become as a person. Aside from Grant, Jefferson has also learned how to respect himself when he becomes Grant's friend. He says, "...I’m strong tell them I’m a good man” (Gaines 234). Grant questions whether it's possible for Jefferson to even become a man when he is asked to turn him into one. He says, "Now his godmother wants me to visit him and make him know - prove to these white men - that he's not a hog, that he's a

Grant was very reluctant to help to teach Jefferson at the beginning, Grant would take any excuse to not visit the jail holding Jefferson. Towards the end it is evident that Grant had made a change to his attitude towards the community. Grant is shown pushing the boundaries of what Miss Emma wished of Jefferson. ““Do you know what a myth is, Jefferson? ... A myth is an old lie that people believe in.

The book starts out with community judgements and perspectives. Both Grant and Jefferson believe that rather than trying to help Jefferson’s case, people choose to believe the rumor of what he has done and try to introduce him to religion so he can "die as a man" before he is sentenced to death. Because Grant does not believe