Grant and Jefferson
Author Ernest J Gaines explores the consciences of two young black men living in the Jim Crow south in his novel, A Lesson Before Dying. Jefferson, a barely literate and poor man, is caught at the scene of a liquor store shoot out. Although innocent, having been at the wrong place at the wrong time earns him a seat in the electric chair. His defense attorney does not do much to prevent this by focusing on his lack of intelligence and calling him a hog. Grant Wiggins, who has returned from the university to become a school teacher, is appointed by his aunt and Miss Emma, Jefferson's godmother, to prove his lawyer wrong and make him a man before he dies. We watch as these two young men are forced to come together, resist one another, and finally come to grips with their own humanity. Very few blacks in the quarter have the opportunity to become educated. Grant may have struggled in the university learning reading, writing, and 'rithmatic, but he has failed to learn more important life lessons. He thinks the only way out is to escape from the quarter and move elsewhere, someplace where he is not bothered by such commitment. When Miss Emma and Tante Lou manipulate Grant into teaching Jefferson to be a man befo
In a bout of frustration, Grant turns to Vivian, his girlfriend. Everyone is counting on Grant, but Grant can't even count on himself during this time. He asks her, "What do I say to him? Do I know what a man is? Do I know how a man is supposed to die? I'm still trying to find out how a man should live. Am I supposed to tell someone how to die who has never lived?" Grant's brings Jefferson a radio to keep him company throughout the day. While the guards aren't pleased with Grant's present, Jefferson shows his utmost appreciation by never turning it off. Grant also brings Jefferson a notepad so that he may jot down some thoughts that pass through his mind in his last days. By giving him these gifts, Grant shows Jefferson that he is an important and loved person. Although he has not gotten through to Jefferson yet, Grant is starting to feel a bit more committed to the cause. His thoughts are constantly with Jefferson. He has to teach Jefferson, a man who thinks he is as good as dead, what it means to live. Jefferson has come to feel much more comfortable with Grant, sharing his thoughts, emotions and opinions about life. Grant starts to feel that together they have reached milestones when Jefferson begins to act and think like the man he is. Grant convinces Jefferson to illustrate this comprehension when his godmother comes to visit him for lunch. Grant really hits home when he tells Jefferson "You have the chance of being bigger than anyone who has ever lived on that plantation or come from this little town. You can do it if you try." Grant shows Jefferson that he believes in him, and the two of them return to the table and enjoy their gumbo. At Grant's next visit, he ask Jefferson if he might consider doing certain things just for Miss Emma's sake, so that she might have an easier time with this. This time,
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Approximate Word count = 1240
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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