"I want somebody to do something for me one time 'fore I close my eyes. Somebody got to do something for me one time 'fore I close my eyes." Gaines portrays Miss Emma as a strong-hearted woman yet a powerless one. In a lesson before dying, Henri Pichot treats Miss Emma with no respect.
             In chapter three of the novel, we find Miss Emma at the Pichot house trying to plead her case. With no respect for her age or even sex, Mr. Pichot totally disregards her. Not only by being impolite and not offering her a seat or anything, but also cutting her off and calling her "Emma". "What can I do for you Emma?" He also uses a very disturbing and irritable tone with her. Before Miss Emma can even get out her favor he cuts in saying, "I can't change what has been handed down by the court...I spoke up before the trial; I cant' say anymore." He has already made up his mind that he has done enough and is not trying to do anything else.
             "I done a lot for this family and this place...I done a lot for this family over the years." Miss Emma constantly reminds Mr. Pichot of all that she has done for the family. All Miss Emma wanted was for her boy to leave this world a man, not a hog. "I'm old, Mr. Henri...Jefferson go'n need me but I'm too old to be going up there. My heart won't take it... I want somebody to take my place." Mr. Pichot continues to show no concern and states that he can't do anything else. Once Mr. Pichot hears the favor he automatically assumes that it was Grant's idea and his attention is not even on Miss Emma anymore even though she is still pleading her case. "And what do you plan to do...you think you can change him from a hog to a man in the little time he's got left?"
             When Mr. Pichot shifts his attention back to Miss Emma he tells her that she should be more concerned with his soul that ...