Role Of Literature In Ernest J. Gaines's A Lesson Before Dying

In the novel A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, there are many literary devices in which create significance in the story. One as such, is characterization. “Reverend Mose Ambrose was a short, very dark man whose face and bald head were always shining. He was the plantation church’s pastor. He was not educated, hadn’t gone to any theological school; he had heard the voice and started preaching. He was a simple, devoted believer. He christened babies, baptized youths, visited those who were ill, counseled those who had trouble, preached, and buried the dead” (100-101). By using this rhetorical device the author is descriptive of

He’s dead now. All I can do is try to keep others from ending up like this- but he’s gone from us (14). Grant’s first visit to the prison is with Miss Emma and it goes as he expected it to. Jefferson refuses to eat and hardly speaks other than refusing food from Miss Emma since he is going to die anyway. The next two visits went the same way and no progress is made between Grant and Jefferson. Grant then goes to visit Jefferson alone since Miss Emma is sick; which he is not happy about. Jefferson speaks to Grant only to say that he is a hog and that food is for “youmans” (82). Grant tells him that he is a human and that his nanan would not be happy if she heard him say that. Jefferson reacts by eating the food out of the bag with his hands behind his back, behaving like a hog would. Grant has had enough and responds in anger, are you trying to hurt me Jefferson, are you trying to make me feel guilty for your being here (84)? He then goes on to talk about the white men and asks if he wants them to win because right now the odds aren’t in his favor. This is the point in their relationship where Grant speaks his mind and breaks that barrier. Jefferson knows now that Grant isn’t only telling him all of this just because it’s what he wants to hear, there’s a deeper meaning behind it that involves race and

When will you die? How do you want to be remembered? Will you be remembered by your laughter and smiles, or will you only be remembered by the hate and hurt in your heart? Most people do not know they are going to die on a specific day, but they can still choose how they want to be remembered. The people around you can influence the way you are seen whether it be in a positive or negative way. Ernest Gaines established this idea in A Lesson Before Dying with his dynamic characters. Most of the characters learn a lesson and make a change in their lives for the better. Although some may argue that the lesson that is being taught and learned before dying refers only to Jefferson, a careful analysis shows that the whole community gains a

The setting of the novel is a rural plantation in Louisiana in the Deep South. Most of the story takes place on Henri Pichot’s plantation. He is a wealthy influential man in Bayonne who can influence many decisions. Being set in the 1940’s before civil rights, the whites reigned supreme, and the blacks were still seen as inferior. Gaines uses characters such as Sheriff Guidry, Henri Pichot, and Mr. Joseph Morgan to demonstrate the white mentality towards African Americans (Poston A1). The white mentality causes many negative feelings. Folks says, “Part of Grant’s bitterness stems from his negative feelings about the black population in his hometown” (Folks B1). Grant is always mad and discouraged by the vicious cycle the blacks are put through. “The reader is able to gain insight into Grant’s thoughts and frustrations through his conversations with Vivian, his girlfriend. He feels trapped in his present situation” (Poston A1).

One of the many challenges associated with writing is that of writing style. It can help highlight the work when used effectively, or the opposite, if used ineffectively. Some have an intuitive grasp on matter while others struggle. In his book “A Lesson Before Dying”, author Ernest J. Gaines effectively conveys his story through his stylistic choices. He does this through Jefferson’s diary in chapter 29, Grant’s observations and thoughts throughout the story, and the “third-person" perspective of chapter 30. These things elevate the immersion of the story and gives further insight into what Gaines is trying to convey.

Grant is constantly having an eternal battle within himself on whether or not he is willing to take action against the white despotism. When Jefferson 's case is first brought up to Grant by Miss Emma and his aunt, he responds by saying, “Yes, I’m the teacher...And I teach what the white folks around here tell me to teach—reading, writing, and ’rithmetic. They never told me how to keep a black boy out of a liquor store" (Gaines ch 2). His whole education has revolved around the white system and what they want him to know and do. He feels that because he has been taught by the white-American

While we all would agree that racism is immoral and has no place in a modern society, that was not the case in the U.S. in the 1940s. At the time African Americans were treated as second-class citizens, it was made near-impossible for them to vote, and they were discriminated in many ways including in education, socially and in employment. It was a time in which segregation and racism perforated the laws and society, a time in which African Americans were “separate but equal,” segregation was legal and in full force. Apartheid was also everywhere from the books to in society. Blacks were not truly seen as equal as they were seen the the lesser of the two and it very much felt that way. Blacks were oppressed in many ways including having

In a society where hardships occur daily, it is vital to have something to hold on to as an anchor. This reliance or commitment is in the form of friends, family, or even tangible possessions; however, humans sometimes have to fulfill deeds for others instead of continually thinking of themselves. Given these obligations, there results both a need and a desire to complete certain tasks for other individuals, for a community, or even for a higher power. In his novel, A Lesson Before Dying, Ernest Gaines quite successfully portrays the theme of the importance of obligation and commitment through presenting an effective setting and community, constructing strong relationships between characters, and providing

This is partially do to the fact that Jefferson is forced to spend the end of his short life in solitary confinement, but also because Grant feels like he still needs to figure out how to help himself, before he tries to assist someone else. Throughout the novel Grant struggles with his own self-image, unable to determine if he should act like the college educated schoolteacher he is, or the African American stereotype he’s supposed to be. Encounters with Sheriff Guidry illustrates no matter how Grant acts, the white men in positions of power will continue to look down on him. When first confronted with Grant, Guidry immediately dismisses Grant’s efforts, calling his interference with Jefferson A waste of time, and saying “The only thing you can do is just aggravate him, trying to put something in his head against his will” (Gaines 49). Instances such as this, as well as the white superintendent of school district withholding resources, give the white men what they long for. Grant begins to question his importance to the people of Bayonne, and he starts to wonder if he truly is

In the book, “A Lesson Before Dying”, by Ernest J. Gaines tells a story that is set during the late 1930’s. The story is fixated on the interaction between Jefferson, a young and literate African American man, who is sentenced to death for an inequitable crime, and Grant Wiggins, a teacher that wants to help Jefferson, and along the way the two create a bond. The story is told through the view of Wiggins. The main focus in this book was Grant and Jefferson’s relationship to transform each man throughout the story and they learn a lesson on human dignity. The most character is Jefferson’s attorney, he was the reason that of Jefferson loss of dignity and self-respect. Jefferson’s attorney is the symbol of society’s racism due to him marking Jefferson

The setting in a book can affect how the reader views and understands the novel. The setting is a very important part of a book, whether it is important the setting stays the same in the book, or if the storyline is flexible enough that the setting can change. In the book “A Lesson Before Dying”, the setting is very important to the storyline. In this case, the storyline is not flexible enough to be set at any other time, than the 1940’s. It is very important it is set during this time because the views and understanding of race back then, makes a huge contribution to the understanding of the novel. The fact that Jefferson is treated differently and looked at differently

Still, I was there. I was there just as much as anyone else was there.” The two characters have a bumpy relationship because Grant feels like he shouldn't have to encourage a man to act like a man. Grant is always mad and discouraged by the vicious cycle the blacks are put through.

Social media can be seen from completely different aspects and points of views. A major role in these different opinions plays mostly the age of the beholder, because social media made an enormous change in the last 50 years. One very important aspect in our today’s society is to get as many information as possible in a very short time period ("Impacts of social media”) Through social media and especially social networks such as twitter and Facebook, the information gets spread extremely fast. There are for example reporters who search on those networks to get information for their news and articles. (“Impacts

In the world that we live in today, our society molds itself from the ideals portrayed in the media. Modern society has enhanced the effects of how media portrays certain lifestyles with the invention of social media. College students seem to be the most effected by social media due to the vast connections to the internet and an ever-growing curiosity that comes with being a college student. Social media has been able to influence lifestyles, alter communication skills, mental health, relationships, job titles and schoolwork ethic. As the internet continues to grow, society will grow with it- not necessarily in the right direction.

This statement further defends the argument that social media is an influencer to the way people think. Just knowing that the mind needs the ability to be receptive the to the thought. When going onto social media sites from personal experience. I have noticed myself in a vulnerable state of mind. Meaning that my mind has the ability to be easily molded to whatever, I may stumble upon. Making myself have that receptive ability to accept the thoughts of others, and accept them as my own.