A Lesson Before Dying
The novel begins with the question: how can justice prevail in a society dominated by a single group of people? The judge was white, the lawyers were white, and every member of the jury was white as well. Jefferson does not receive a trial by his peers. Jefferson's attorney appeals to the prejudices held by society when he says, "What justice would there be to take this life? Justice, gentlemen? Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this (8)." The highly unjust nature of this situation robs Jefferson of his human rights. Not yet guilty of murder, but guilty of being black in a racist society, Jefferson now depends on the jurors' compassion and sense of morality, rather than their understanding of the law. If they choose to acquit him, they do so only out of pity for what his own lawyer calls "a boy and a fool (7)." If they convict him, however, they do so out of the standards of the racist community. Grant Wiggins understands that according to the predominant stereotype, a black man is guilty in the eyes of the law and the trial just becomes a performance. Grant, the narrator, is a proud black man who suffers from the effects of racism. Grant is very pessimistic and
Jefferson realizes how important he has become for his community, emphasizing how much Grant's words and actions have influenced him. He wants to make that impact as positive and far-reaching as possible, and so he asks Jefferson do something very difficult: to die with dignity. Grant says he can feel the pressure of his aunt's "eyes on the back of his neck (16)" because she asks him to conform to the racist stereotypes, such as entering the back door. Jefferson says, "I want me a whole gallona ice cream (170). Jefferson places his faith in the tangible friendship he receives from Grant, and not necessarily in God. During Grant's visit to the jail with Miss Emma, and Reverend Ambrose, Grant walks with Jefferson and says, "I want you to show them the difference between what they think you are and what you can be (191). Had Easter weekend been chosen without a second thought, the imagery would have been dispelled; however, by allowing it to affect the Sheriff's decision, he lends the imagery more credibility. " Matthew Antoine, Grant's primary school teacher, is a defeated, bitter, mulatto man, whose attitude affects Grant's perception of Southern society. Grant's self-deceptive personality shows more clearly during the Christmas program. With these words, he lets Grant know he understands precisely what his life and his death signify. The word "they" represents the white community. Joseph, the superintendent, refers to the black school children as an "excellent crop (56). Pichot shows at least some compassion toward Jefferson by offering to sharpen his pencil and then to offer his knife as a gift. " Grant knows that the entire community will long remember the execution, and that Jefferson's final moments will have a powerful impact on many people. On one of Grant's last visits to see Jefferson Grant says, "You're more a man, than I am, Jefferson (225).
Common topics in this essay:
Ultimately Jefferson,
Miss Emma's,
Christ Jefferson,
Lesson Dying,
Grant Wiggins,
Ambrose Grant,
Ironically Antoine's,
Grant Jefferson,
Miss Emma,
Jefferson Guidry,
miss emma,
grant jefferson,
jefferson jefferson,
white community,
gallona ice cream,
racist society,
vivian jefferson,
compassion jefferson,
jefferson human,
eyes grant,
jefferson faith,
|
Acceptance Essays
