Can one man make a difference in society? In A Lesson before Dying, Grant Wiggins does not believe so. During the late 1940s a young black man, Jefferson, is present during a shooting in a liquor store. As the only survivor, he is put on trial, wrongly accused, and sentenced to death. Grant Wiggins, who is also a young black man, has returned to his hometown with a college education to teach. In part of the lawyer’s defense statement, Jefferson is called a hog, and the lawyer says a man such as himself would not have the brains to assemble a plan so intricate. Grant is persuaded by his aunt and Jefferson’s godmother to impart his wisdom to Jefferson, and remind him of his humanity before he is executed. Grant agrees reluctantly, but eventually
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He does not believe he has the ability to create change within the society, or single person. Due to the fact that he believes he is unable to express himself, he cannot see how even his role as an educator makes a positive difference (Auger). In fact, Wiggins is indifferent to both the school children and the society as a whole, and often times, as a result, Wiggins shows very little interest in his students, or their education. At one point in the novel he is quoted thinking, “And I thought to myself, What am I doing? Am I reaching them at all? They are doing exactly what the old men did earlier. They are fifty years younger, maybe more, but doing the same thing those old men did who never attended school a day in their lives. Is it just a vicious circle? Am I doing anything?” (Gaines 62). At this point in the book, Wiggins compares his educated school children to the uneducated older men within the society. He sees how the children appear to be the same, and therefore believes his work shows no promise of improvement. Wiggins believes that no matter what he learns, or what anyone else learns, there is nothing they can do to escape the standards employed upon them by their society.
In addition, Wiggins is unable to see the benefit in educating a man who is sentenced to death (Wardi). He believes any effort towards educating Jefferson may be ineffectual. At the beginning of the novel Wiggins explains his position on educating Jefferson very clearly. " 'Make him a man for what?
He does not believe he has the ability to create change within the society, or single person. Due to the fact that he believes he is unable to express himself, he cannot see how even his role as an educator makes a positive difference (Auger). In fact, Wiggins is indifferent to both the school children and the society as a whole, and often times, as a result, Wiggins shows very little interest in his students, or their education. At one point in the novel he is quoted thinking, “And I thought to myself, What am I doing? Am I reaching them at all? They are doing exactly what the old men did earlier. They are fifty years younger, maybe more, but doing the same thing those old men did who never attended school a day in their lives. Is it just a vicious circle? Am I doing anything?” (Gaines 62). At this point in the book, Wiggins compares his educated school children to the uneducated older men within the society. He sees how the children appear to be the same, and therefore believes his work shows no promise of improvement. Wiggins believes that no matter what he learns, or what anyone else learns, there is nothing they can do to escape the standards employed upon them by their society.
In addition, Wiggins is unable to see the benefit in educating a man who is sentenced to death (Wardi). He believes any effort towards educating Jefferson may be ineffectual. At the beginning of the novel Wiggins explains his position on educating Jefferson very clearly. " 'Make him a man for what?