African Americans in the 1940s still lived in an unspoken caste system that had them ranked lower than whites, and it resulted in bitter circumstances for them. Did every African American live pessimistically; did they let those circumstances bring them down? No! Many of those people still wanted to live life to the fullest! However, one man still looked at life through cynical eyes, despite the hope of others around him. In the novel A Lesson Before Dying, Grant can be characterized as a encumbered young man who becomes disenchanted with the world around him. Grant’s encumbrance is displayed with the situations exhibited throughout the novel. On page 14, it says “‘You go’n do it,’ she said. ‘We going up there and talk to Mr.Henri.’... ‘You
