Jefferson

A detailed Summary of Jefferson

Jefferson, a black man condemned to die by the electric chair in the novel A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, is perhaps the strongest character in African-American literature today. Jefferson is a courageous young black man that a jury of all white men convicts of a murder he has not committed ; yet he still does not let this defeat destroy his personal character. Ernest Gaines portrays Jefferson this way to illustrate the fundamental belief that mankind's defeats do not necessarily lead to his destruction. The author uses such actions as Jefferson still enjoying outside comforts, showing compassion towards others, and trying to better himself before dying. These behaviors clearly show that although society may cast Jefferson out as a black murderer, he can still triumph somewhat knowing that he retains the qualities of a good human being.

The first trait Jefferson demonstrates after his incarceration is the fact that h

These three qualities of Ernest Gaines' work A Lesson Before Dying are evidence that the world can not destroy Jefferson. Jefferson is a tremendously strong character that suffers many travails throughout the novel, and finds a way to overcome all of them. He is one of the best examples in literature that a man can overcome many defeats without destruction. Jefferson proves that as long as a man can still take comfort in things, show compassion for others, and better himself; he will never destruct as a human being. This is one of the most important lessons to be learned from a literary character.

The second characteristic that shows society does not defeat Jefferson is Jefferson's remaining strong compassion for everyone around him. This shows that through defeat, Jefferson remains a strong person by not holding any grudges against his incarcerators. A selection from his diary reads, "This was the firs time I cry when they lok that door bahind me the very firs ti

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Approximate Word count = 658
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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Jefferson

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