By examining a piece of literature, a reader can discover multiple patterns that enhance the story, their understanding of the piece and the experience it brings in general. The novel, How to Read Literature like A Professor, by Thomas C. Foster, describes and discusses many, varying patterns. One pattern he calls, “acts of communion”, explains how food and meals in a literary work can have a more significant purpose than just eating normally suggests. In addition, this novel discussed the uses of Christ figures in literature and the different characteristics that suggest the author’s intentions on comparing a character in their work with Jesus Christ. Both of these patterns are shown in the novel, A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines.
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Jefferson is an example of a character that could represent Christ due to him sharing many characteristics with Jesus. Foster discusses that Christ figures sacrifice for others and are unmarried. In addition he explains this sacrifice does not have to be willing and the character does not have to act or seem Christ like. These are all true for Jefferson since he is unwillingly sacrificing his life to prove to his community that he can die a man and not the animal the white people consider him and the rest of them. Throughout the novel he does not act Christ like, by being rude to Grant and rejecting the love of others. In addition to the characteristics discussed by Foster, Jefferson is killed relatively close to Easter, which is when Jesus was killed. Also, Jefferson decides he wants to die just as Jesus did, silently without protest. He explains this as, “ That’s how I want to go, Mr.Wiggins. Not a mumbling word,” (Gaines,223). This reveals that even though Jefferson is innocent, he will not speak up and fight, just like Jesus. Jefferson fits many of the characteristics suggested by Foster that suggest he was intended to be a Christ …show more content…
In addition to revealing the standing of their relationships, acts of communion also develop the characters individually. The two very different meals, from acting like a hog to a civilized person, show Jefferson's progress in becoming a man, which was the goal of these visits in the first place. In addition, they develop Miss.Emma by showing how much she loves Jefferson and how caring she is by making food and bringing it every time anyone visits even though he rarely ate any in front of her. This also develops Grant’s character because it shows how he is able to convince someone to do the right thing and better them as a person, which is an important ability for a teacher. Jefferson’s character is also developed by being a Christ figure. This comparison to Christ adds more importance to his character by amplifying his effect on others during his life and after he dies. This is shown through the many gatherings at Miss.Emma’s house, Grant’s thoughts while Jefferson was being executed and after his death, when Paul and Grant took each others hands and showed friendship, something that would not have happened if it wasn’t for Jefferson. Many elements of Jefferson, Grant and Miss. Emma are revealed through both patterns presented in Foster’s
Jefferson is an example of a character that could represent Christ due to him sharing many characteristics with Jesus. Foster discusses that Christ figures sacrifice for others and are unmarried. In addition he explains this sacrifice does not have to be willing and the character does not have to act or seem Christ like. These are all true for Jefferson since he is unwillingly sacrificing his life to prove to his community that he can die a man and not the animal the white people consider him and the rest of them. Throughout the novel he does not act Christ like, by being rude to Grant and rejecting the love of others. In addition to the characteristics discussed by Foster, Jefferson is killed relatively close to Easter, which is when Jesus was killed. Also, Jefferson decides he wants to die just as Jesus did, silently without protest. He explains this as, “ That’s how I want to go, Mr.Wiggins. Not a mumbling word,” (Gaines,223). This reveals that even though Jefferson is innocent, he will not speak up and fight, just like Jesus. Jefferson fits many of the characteristics suggested by Foster that suggest he was intended to be a Christ …show more content…
In addition to revealing the standing of their relationships, acts of communion also develop the characters individually. The two very different meals, from acting like a hog to a civilized person, show Jefferson's progress in becoming a man, which was the goal of these visits in the first place. In addition, they develop Miss.Emma by showing how much she loves Jefferson and how caring she is by making food and bringing it every time anyone visits even though he rarely ate any in front of her. This also develops Grant’s character because it shows how he is able to convince someone to do the right thing and better them as a person, which is an important ability for a teacher. Jefferson’s character is also developed by being a Christ figure. This comparison to Christ adds more importance to his character by amplifying his effect on others during his life and after he dies. This is shown through the many gatherings at Miss.Emma’s house, Grant’s thoughts while Jefferson was being executed and after his death, when Paul and Grant took each others hands and showed friendship, something that would not have happened if it wasn’t for Jefferson. Many elements of Jefferson, Grant and Miss. Emma are revealed through both patterns presented in Foster’s