A Lesson Before Dying

A detailed Summary of A Lesson Before Dying


A Lesson Before Dying takes place in a small Louisiana Cajun community in the late

1940's. In the novel, Jefferson, a young black man, is an unwitting party to a liquor store shoot

out in which three men are killed; being the only survivor, he is convicted of a murder and

sentenced to death. Jefferson's personality and physical appearance in the novel provides not only

a relationship to the courtroom and his cell, but also connected to the geographical setting of the

In the initial setting of the novel, Jefferson sits in a courtroom located in rural

Louisiana, which is filled with anger , tension, isolation, and quietness from the people in the

room. This setting of the book supports Jefferson's personality in chapter 9 when Jefferson's

character is introduced. Jefferson's cell could be considered the second setting or Jefferson's

setting in the book. Jefferson's relationship to the courtroom (initial setting) supports Jefferson's

personality in the prison. He is isolated just like in the courtroom. " There was an empty cell

between Jefferson and the rest of the prisoners" (Gaines 71). Jefferson's cell was not only isolated

like a courtroom in rural Louisiana, but quiet. "Jeffer


1940's. In the novel, Jefferson, a young black man, is an unwitting party to a liquor store shoot

something was touched, something deep down in him because he was still crying..."(193) Here

Grant proves that some type of grand realization has been reached.

would do anything for people he loves, because he knows it would make their lives better." "You

Key Dialogue and Action: I feel that an epiphany was reached by Jefferson when Grant



Some common words found in the essay are:
Louisiana Cajun, Jefferson Water, African Americans, Due Jefferson's, South America, African American, Jefferson Grant, Theme Jefferson's, jefferson's character, Dialogue Action, setting book, jefferson's cell, Lesson Dying, jefferson's personality, african american culture, hope african, initial setting, life life, setting novel, relationship courtroom, rural louisiana, hope african american, supports jefferson's personality, declare value lives, people south america,

Approximate Word count = 1766
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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