In Ernest Gaines' A Lesson before Dying, Jefferson becomes an important and a symbolic figure in the black community. Jefferson is a relatively simple man and a lowlife, who always worked his entire life on the plantation with poor wages and accepts his place in the world. Also, Jefferson refers as a hog due to his indecisiveness to escape the scene of murder, and he obsesses by the possibility that he really is no better than a hog. Afterward, Jefferson becomes brave and thoughtful, and he possesses depths of intelligence and lyricism in the outcome of the story. With all these characteristics, he promotes and creates an impact and changes in his black community through his redemption of death.
             This story is primarily base on Jefferson due to his lower rank in the community, in which he has bravery and stops the troubles of the black community. The story introduces Jefferson as a moderately man with only intention to live and work on the plantation for a lower wage. Also, he accepts his place as a lowly one in the community. "A thing to hold the handle of a plow, a thing to load your bales of cotton" (Gaines 7). This statement specifically states Jefferson's identity and life in the community. As a reader, you would have wonder how a poor man without any value in his community can broke the troubles of his black community. Jefferson portrays as a true hero in his black community, in which he plays as a role as a savior of the community through his strength and bravery to break the cycle of the black men's failures. In addition, Jefferson is able to change the white people's view on himself and the community as a whole by gains his own dignity and through his execution.
             The story also involves around Jefferson's unjust conviction and death penalty, where he demonstrates his pride and dignity. He also makes his race proud. The story develops by which Jefferson is being trial for his underserved con...