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Character Analysis: A Lesson Before Dying

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This book shows us that there is indeed hope, and that everyone has a purpose in life. There is nothing that can change what will happen in the end. However, a person is left with two options. You can deny and fight it the entire way, or accept it, learn from it, and move forward. A Lesson Before Dying shows what it is like to accept what is given to you and how to make something great out of it.

A Lesson Before Dying takes place in a small community, there is a trial for the murder of a white store attendant. The defense is Jefferson, a poorly educated black man. His appointed attorney tries to spare Jefferson’s life from the death penalty. His attorney states, "Gentlemen of the jury, be merciful. For God's sake, …show more content…
He is still withdrawn and filled with prejudice, and he is afraid, to the very end, to show even the slightest emotion. He refuses to go to the execution. Even while thinking about it, he denies himself tears for his dear friend Jefferson. As he says, "I felt like crying, but I refused to cry. No, I would not cry. There were too many more that would end up as he did. I could not cry for all of them, could I?" (p.249). The somewhat heart wrenching recall of Paul's events of the execution lifted him up. As Paul said, "You're one great teacher, Grant Wiggins." Grant responded "I'm not great. I'm not even a teacher." (p.254) The statement of a job well done by Paul, a white man, who considered himself a friend of Grant', helped Grant grown. Even though he is still withdrawn and angry, Grant has learned to love something other than himself., he has let go of much of the cynicism that has held him back, and he has started on a path that would have never been possible without …show more content…
To put things into perspective, we must look at the writer who is an older black man who, through out his life, has dealt with racism and bigotry. Overlooking the patterns that recur brings me to believe that the title, to Gaines, is a very complex one. One that is difficult to even pin down. He sees A Lesson Before Dying as a metaphor for the trials and tribulations brought about through prejudice. He views it as an illustration that something as tragic as a wrongful execution is the only way that people can see what it takes to realize that, no matter what, you can always find hope and a reason to smile no matter the race or level of intelligence a man. And most importantly a man is not an animal. That power and influence ultimately don't matter. What matters is trying your best to find out what matters

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