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A Lesson Before Dying Analysis

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In A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, Gaines brings a new perspective of friendship through the transformation of a teacher and a young man sentenced to death during the late 1940’s in Bayonne, Louisiana. Jefferson, a young African American man, faces the death sentence after being convicted of shooting the owner of a liquor store and labeled as a “hog” by his own lawyer. Seeking to prove that Jefferson is a “man” instead of a hog, Jefferson’s godmother, Miss Emma, seeks help to make Jefferson a man again. With the help of her friend, Tante Lou, Miss Emma receives support from the local reverend, Reverend Ambrose, and a teacher, Grant Wiggins to guide Jefferson from a wild animal to a man. When Jefferson and Grant first meet, Jefferson treats himself and the people who love him without respect and acts as though life his life is already over. However, Grant soon realizes how to empower Jefferson to believe that he is important to his community. On the dreadful day of his execution, Grant decides to stay at school, questioning his entire effect on Jefferson and contemplating why he was not physically “there” for Jefferson in the end. However, Grant was truly “there” for Jefferson in the end because he changed into a friend who not only reminded Jefferson of his self-worth, but ultimately transformed Jefferson into a “man” again. Initially, Grant disapproves of helping Jefferson because he acts …show more content…
However, a turning point soon arrives after Jefferson’s execution date is announced by Sheriff Guidy, and Grant begins to understand Jefferson. After dropping by Miss Emma’s house, Grant visits Jefferson at the jail. At his cell, Grant attempts at a new approach to connect with Jefferson by discussing Jefferson’s ideal final day,” ‘The kind of day I want?’ he said. ‘The kind of day I want? I never got nothing in my whole life. Now I’m go’n get a whole

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