A Lesson Before Dying
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines name-calling as the use of offensive names especially to win an argument or to induce rejection or condemnation (as of a person or project) without objective consideration of the facts. In the novel A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, Jefferson is called a hog because of racial ignorance. The description of name-calling fits perfectly with the story line. Jefferson’s defense attorney calls him a hog to win the argument/court case. His attorney wants to “induce rejection” and condemn him in hopes that the jury will believe that Jefferson is not worth the effort of execution. His attorney refers to him as “a boy”, “a fool”, “a cornered animal”, and “ a hog”. Jefferson accepts and believes this degrading image of himself. What is so significant about the word hog and why did it affect the entire community. Ernest Gaines tried to capture a realistic portrait of life for blacks in Louisiana during the 1940’s.Unfortunately at this time blacks were still looked down upon. They were believed to be dirty and no better than animals. Gaines takes the reader through the journey of a man’s quest to help another man to become a man. When the term hog is used it humiliates not only Jeffe
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Jefferson Jefferson, Ernest Gaines, Tante Lou, Gaines Jefferson, Miss Emma, Henri Pichot, Merriam-Websters Dictionary, Rainbow Club, Gods Jefferson, tante lou, teach jefferson, miss emma, ernest gaines, entire community, induce rejection,
Approximate Word count = 1047
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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