A Lesson Before Dying

Blog about the book A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines// Maria Sofia Hernandez @Academy of Our Lady of Peace

[mariasofia97]

[mariasofia97]

Grant said he did not believe in God, but he had faith. When he started helping Jefferson he did not want to do it. He did it as a favor to Miss Emma. As time passed, Grant had faith in Jefferson, and he showed that he cared for him. Grant notices the change in his own life, because he helped Jefferson. Grant did not know what he was capable of doing, but by helping Jefferson and having faith, he gained more than what he gave.

[mariasofia97]

[aleramirezalbd-blog]

The African-American experience during the twentieth century was a crucial time of discrimination and exclusion. It did not matter how educated or uneducated an African American was, they were all seen as a lesser person towards humanity such as Grant and Jefferson. A Lesson Before Dying has...

[aleramirezalbd-blog]

The African-American experience during the twentieth century was a crucial time of discrimination and exclusion. It did not matter how educated or uneducated an African American was, they were all seen as a lesser person towards humanity such as Grant and Jefferson. A Lesson Before Dying has...

[mariasofia97]

It saddens me that it does not surprise Ale or me that Grant is never given the respect he deserved. We are not surprised because it has been seen throughout history that African Americans are treated rudely. Events such as Grant not being respected by white authority happened daily in the past. Not so long ago, was Martin Luther King Jr. tracked by the FBI and questioned. We would want this to stop now, however we still see it happen. For example, the woman who Ale wrote about. What she said in court was discarded because of her skin color. We should stand up for everyone who is discriminated. Everyone should be treated with respect and equally.

[pink-explosion]

[carolinemarielove-blog]

What this African-American child is supporting by holding a sign of how he believed peace will be achieved is extremely meaningful. I relate the power to the desires of a white man to be in control. When this man is filled with the wholeness of the people surrounding him- the love-  the world will be truly peaceful.

[teaandthoughtswithchilan-deacti]

Starting the book, I had common knowledge on what African Americans endured, however I never really understood or knew how they felt internally. A Lesson Before Dying gave me a new perspective on how African Americans were effected and treated and how they dealt with it. From reading, I was able...

[mariasofia97]

"I was surprised by how just the action of Grant reaching out to Jefferson could change not only one, but both men". What Chilan said is powerful, Grant did not only change Jefferson, but also himself. This action represents the what African Americans are capable of achieving. Also, it is true how sometimes we believe all African Americans had the same feeling, but in the novel it is shown that depending on their situation, their feelings changed. A Lesson Before Dying demonstrates in a prominent manner the way situations affected each person and how they acted. Towards racism, and everyday situations. It helps you understand the way different African American felt at a time they were opressed.

[aleramirezalbd-blog]

This particular quote stood out to me for various reasons. Grant knows that Jefferson’s execution will be the talk of the town and his final breath will have a huge impact on the town. He initially wants Jefferson to show the white community that he is not a hog, but that he is a man. This motivates Jefferson into wanting to better himself as a man as well as to prove society wrong.

[mariasofia97]

The picture captures exactly what Grant says to Jefferson. The basketball player demonstrates what he is capable of. Even if he is compared to a beast, he shows what he can truly be. Just like Jefferson!

[mariasofia97]

Ignorance

What surprised me the most at the end of A Lesson Before Dying was that the white people were inferior than the African Americans. Throughout the whole novel white people had authority, they set the rules, and made African feel inferior. For example, Grant felt as impotent by the fact that if he talked correctly in front of Henri Pichot and his friend, they might be offended. Matthew Antoine who is half white, believes African Americans are inferior to him because he has one white parent. He says African Americans have no future, while he hated what he did his whole life, teaching. So who is getting nowhere after all? Someone should take a look at himself. Henri Pichot and Sheriff Guidry doubted of Grant’s ability to make Jefferson a man. Every white man in the novel act in an ignorant manner. They think they are better than any other African American because they are white and educated. They should not underestimate African Americans, such as Grant and Jefferson. At the end Paul, the only white man who is concerned about Jefferson. Paul said “He was the strongest man in that crowded room…”(Gaines 253). At the end of the novel, Jefferson who was called a “hog” various times by the whites, was stronger than them in any possible way. Jefferson proved everyone who believed he was guilty, that they were wrong. Just by his presence. 

African Americans were underestimated by white people for centuries. White people treated them as if they were inferior, when they are equally capable. Slaves were treated in a terrible manner, and were killed and blamed for many injustices. When African Americans started gaining rights and becoming educated and succesfull white people started getting worried and scared. In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Pap, a man who is considered white trash, he rambles about an African American voting and how he believes it is wrong. Pap talks about a mulatto “They said he was a p’fessor in a college and could talk all kinds of languages, and knower everything…They said he could vote when he was at home”(Twain 38). He is surprised by this man’s life and knowledge and cannot believe his educated. Pap could not believe that a mulatto was better than him. He then says “They told me there was a state in this country where they’d let that nigger vote ,I drawed out. I says I’ll never vote again”(Twain 38). This white man struggles to understand an African American can have rights and believe it is embarrassing for him to vote if an African American is voting. Pap shows ignorance just like, the white people in A Lesson Before Dying. Ignorance from the white people is demonstrated in both novels.

[alessonbeforedying13-blog]

[mariasofia97]

[mariasofia97]

[mariasofia97]

[mariasofia97]

Quote

"Nobody aint never been that good to me to make me think im somebody"(Gaines 232). No one should ever feel this way. Jefferson writes he is sorry because he wants Grant to come, because no one had been as good to him as Grant. This line really intriguing, not only could an illiterate African American who is about to be executed can relate to this, but also millions of persons in the world. You are always someone, no matter how people treat you. Low self esteem can lead to feeling like you are no one. Also, if the people around you do not pay attention to you. Jefferson in this case had been rejected all his life, and now he had someone to count on he finally felt as if he was someone. It should not take anyone someone else's attention to make them feel as if they were someone. 

[mariasofia97]

The End

After reading A Lesson Before Dying, I realized that sometimes it takes knowing you will die to become the best person you can be. Jefferson thought he was a no one, until towards the end of the novel. We all want to be treated with respect by others and sometimes when someone cares for us, then we feel like we are somebody. Jefferson wrote in his diary "Nobody aint never been that good to me an make me think im somebody" (Gaines 232). After all the years Jefferson had lived, he felt as if he was nobody, because no one payed attention to him until a few weeks before he was going to be killed. The people in town did not seem to be worried about Jefferson before it was announced he was going to be executed. It saddens me to think that until he was about to be killed people became worried. Jefferson was well aware of this. Everyone tries to convince Jefferson that he is stronger than everyone else because he is going to be executed. However, he did not choose to be executed, Jefferson says "'Cause I'm go'n die soon? That make me a man, Mr Wiggins?"(Gaines 225). Suddenly everyone in town felt sorry for Jefferson, some believed he deserved it and those are the persons in the novel who I believe where the most ignorant. 

         White people, who in the novel are supposed to be the most educated persons are the most ignorant. Judging a person by their race is the lowest thing they can do. At the time the novel takes place whites would usually look down on African Americans. Grant is underestimated by Sheriff Guidry, Henri Pinchot and the Superintendent. These men were several times in situations with Grant and they did not believe in Grant's capacity. At the end, Grant finally helped Jefferson. Even if the white people did not believe in Grant, he proved them wrong with the help of Jefferson. At the end, the African Americans were stronger and wiser than the ignorant white people in the novel. 

[alessonbeforedying13-blog]

[crop-sey-deactivated20181109]

Humorous Last Words of the Condemned “Capital Punishment - them without the capital get the punishment.” - John Spenkelink, executed May 25, 1979. “I guess nobody is going to call.” - Earl Johnson, executed May 20, 1987. “Yeah, I think I’d rather be fishing.” - Jimmy Glass, executed June 12, 1987. “Well, gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel.” - GeorgeAppel, executed by the electric chair on April 1, 1928. “How about this for a headline for tomorrow’s paper? ‘French Fries.’” - James French, executed by electric chair, June 30, 1966. “You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everyone dances with the Grim Reaper.” - Robert Alton Harris, executed on April 21, 1992.

[mariasofia97]

This picture and what the people executed said made me think either they were crazy, or laughing about it was their only way of relief. I do not know the cases of any of these men, but in various situations executing them is not the right thing to do. Jefferson was innocent, however he was still executed. Jefferson's last words were "Tell Nannan I walked" (Gaines 254). He showed his strength, he was ready to accept something he did not deserve. Something no one deserves, and all these men who were executed did not deserve it either. No matter their race or cause no one deserves to be killed.