An Obligation Before Dying
“ Boundaries need to be communicated first verbally and then with actions.” This quote by Dr. Henry Cloud signifies the proper way boundaries should be handled and accepted. Coincidently, Ernest J. Gaines’ novel, A Lesson Before Dying, demonstrates specific boundaries and obligations that yield upon the characters involved. It is set in a small Cajun community in the 1940s, a time where there is societal division between blacks and whites, and revolves around the main characters of Grant and Jefferson amongst other minimal characters. Throughout the book, Gaines intentionally incorporates both societal and religious boundaries that affect the characters in individual ways. Although these characters have obligations …show more content…
It’s as if only one side of the story is being told because what other characters are feeling emotionally and mentally can only be interpreted by Grant’s thoughts, observations and what he knows about them. The author makes up for this with the intensive dialogue, vivid imagery and most importantly, Chapter 29, Jefferson’s diary. In this chapter, Jefferson’s character opens up and reveals all of his emotions. Prior to this chapter, Jefferson was very closed off; he could not accept that he was going to die and always referred to himself as a hog. This was Jefferson’s boundary. Gaines writes, “ He acted as though he did not hear me...He said nothing (68)” which was followed later into the novel by “ im sory i cry mr wigin im sory i cry when you say you aint comin back tomoro im strong an reven ambros gon be yer wit me an mr harry comin to an reson i cry cause you been so good to me mr wigin an nobody aint never been that good to me an make me think im sombody (189)” Jefferson went from giving the silent treatment to being anything but silent. Acceptance, love, and friendship is what he needed to overcome his obligations and truly become a real man. This lead him to be more generous and thankful for what he’s got. On the day Jefferson died “straight he walked” for his Nannan, for Grant, and for his
“ Boundaries need to be communicated first verbally and then with actions.” This quote by Dr. Henry Cloud signifies the proper way boundaries should be handled and accepted. Coincidently, Ernest J. Gaines’ novel, A Lesson Before Dying, demonstrates specific boundaries and obligations that yield upon the characters involved. It is set in a small Cajun community in the 1940s, a time where there is societal division between blacks and whites, and revolves around the main characters of Grant and Jefferson amongst other minimal characters. Throughout the book, Gaines intentionally incorporates both societal and religious boundaries that affect the characters in individual ways. Although these characters have obligations …show more content…
It’s as if only one side of the story is being told because what other characters are feeling emotionally and mentally can only be interpreted by Grant’s thoughts, observations and what he knows about them. The author makes up for this with the intensive dialogue, vivid imagery and most importantly, Chapter 29, Jefferson’s diary. In this chapter, Jefferson’s character opens up and reveals all of his emotions. Prior to this chapter, Jefferson was very closed off; he could not accept that he was going to die and always referred to himself as a hog. This was Jefferson’s boundary. Gaines writes, “ He acted as though he did not hear me...He said nothing (68)” which was followed later into the novel by “ im sory i cry mr wigin im sory i cry when you say you aint comin back tomoro im strong an reven ambros gon be yer wit me an mr harry comin to an reson i cry cause you been so good to me mr wigin an nobody aint never been that good to me an make me think im sombody (189)” Jefferson went from giving the silent treatment to being anything but silent. Acceptance, love, and friendship is what he needed to overcome his obligations and truly become a real man. This lead him to be more generous and thankful for what he’s got. On the day Jefferson died “straight he walked” for his Nannan, for Grant, and for his