Analysis Of A Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines

Born in 1933, Ernest J Gaines is an African-American author whose many novels have a common theme: “the search for dignity and masculine identity in a hostile, racist environment.” The focus of this essay will be on his 8th piece of work, A Lesson Before Dying, and this fictional-novel is no exception. Published in 1993, A Lesson Before Dying is an excellent and educational novel that outlines what it’s like to live in the pre-Civil Rights era as a black American in the south. Gaines brings us to the fictional community of Bayonne, Louisiana, in the 1940’s where the story of Jefferson, a convicted black man, is told. The conviction was solely an act of discrimination and Jefferson quickly feels worthless and apathetic. Grant Wiggins, the narrator …show more content…
Jefferson’s plaintiff tries to support his innocence by saying he is too stupid to plan a murder, referring to him as a hog. In the end, Jefferson is wrongly convicted and due for execution, probably only because he is black. Gaines uses this scene to capture the reader’s attention early on while also revealing that racial discrimination plays a large role in the novel. Miss Emma, Jefferson’s Godmother and mother figure, is devastated by the outcome- especially after seeing how hopeless Jefferson was during the trial; he sat there quietly, not even speaking to answer questions from the jury. Clearly, Jefferson has lost his self-worth, and Miss Emma plans to obtain permission to visit Jefferson in his jail cell to help him regain it. When Grant walks into his Aunt’s house, he is suddenly stuck in an inescapable situation. Both his Aunt, “Tante Lou”, and her lifelong friend Miss Emma, persuade him to escort them to Henri Pichot’s mansion where they can request permission to visit Jefferson. Grant does not want anything to do with the whole situation, stating he needs to “correct papers.” He doesn’t seem to care that Miss Emma is suffering deeply from her loss; he is too concerned with his own problems and too selfish to be empathetic. In the end, he agrees to their offer, but he soon regrets as he is digging himself a deeper hole- now …show more content…
Afterwards he would often return to the Rainbow Club, a bar which sort of acts as a haven for Grant, where he would meet up with his girlfriend Vivian. It was the one place Grant had for a quiet place to think- something he needed when juggling teaching and visiting Jefferson- two things he hated to do. Even after the ice was broken, the visits did not go as well as Grant, and especially Miss Emma, had hoped for. Jefferson would often repeat what was said at the court in referring to himself as a hog, he refused to speak throughout the entirety of the hour-long visits, and he would not even try to eat the food brought to him. Clearly, little to no progress was being made in helping Jefferson. Grant continues his visits solely because of his Aunt and Miss Emma- never would he visit Jefferson if he wasn’t told to; however, Grant always tries to talk and help Jefferson during his visits, so in a way he did not give up on him. This is strange of Grant to do because he normally does not have any faith in his people, thinking that all blacks are destined for failure in one way or another. We can finally witness changes in Jefferson when he gains the freedom to choose whether he wants to meet in the jail cell or the dayroom- he chooses the latter. From there, Jefferson finally responds to Grant, even asking questions of his own. Although this may not seem like much, it is the