Briefly describe the major themes in your book 1/2 page or so.

In my book a "Lesson before Dying," themes are: 1) To be black in the South around the nineteen forties and fifties, you were guilty until proved innocent, not innocent until proved guilty. I feel this theme is so important because in the Bill of Rights as an American, we are all taught that a man is supposed to be innocent until proved guilty. However, if your skin color and ethnicity was black, you were not allowed participate in this deep American virtue. 2) Religion for blacks was their only way to have hope in an extremely racist society. I also feel this theme is essential because it showed the contrast in the character of Grant Wiggins against Reverend Ambrose, Miss Emma, and his Aunt Tate Lou. For example, midway through the book, even though Grant was obviously having a positive affect on Jefferson, Reverend Ambrose, his Aunt Tate Lou, and Miss Emma soon became only concerned with whether or not Jefferson was saved or not in terms of the Bible. I truly feel like this negative treatment of Grant by the others for actually doing an excellent job to try and help Jefferson before he's put to death is

What are the racial issues and /or forms of racism encountered by the characters in the story?

*Miss Emma: Jefferson's grandmother. She describes how a black woman had to use guilt to get what she wanted in life. After Jefferson was arrested, she used the point of how many whites in the town owed her for her past services within their families. By her using this way to impose guilt, she is able to bargain her way into spending time with Jefferson before he is executed. She also resembles the idea of the old black woman whose only worry in life was that of her salvation spiritually and her family. Within the book, her whole purpose is to love Jefferson and to make sure he is saved spiritually before he dies.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Miss Emma, Lesson Dying, Ambrose Grant, Grant Jefferson, Wiggins He's, Emma Jefferson's, Rights American, Louisiana Grant, Tate Lou, Wallace Briefly, tate lou, miss emma, reverend ambrose, help jefferson, beginning book, lou miss, tate lou miss, aunt tate lou, lesson dying, aunt tate, ambrose miss emma, racist society, feel theme, reverend ambrose miss, innocent proved guilty,
Approximate Word count = 1392
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)