Ernest J. Gaines's A Lesson Before Dying

In A Lesson Before Dying, Ernest J. Gaines shows the growing bond between frustrated school teacher Grant Wiggins and wrongfully convicted Jefferson on the journey to teach Jefferson to die with dignity before his execution. Through their interactions, both men learn about self-worth and the purpose of their existence in order to change the nature of society. Leo Rosten asserts “the purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Rosten’s claims are correct because the objective of life is to be attentive to others in order to have a positive impact, and happiness is a byproduct of these actions.
In a world full of egotism, it is often forgotten that it is selflessness and benevolence that have a beneficial influence that gives life purpose. We do things to benefit ourselves first, for our interests, to make our lives better before anything else. This materialistic, …show more content…
Making this difference ultimately brings feelings of satisfaction to each individual. Grant feels trapped in the repetitive cycle of the place he lives in, and feels he is stuck with no place to go. Tante Lou and Ms. Emma turn to Grant to teach Jefferson to be a man because of Grant’s respectable position as a teacher in the community. Grant however does not feel that he is influential, explaining, “I had told her I was no teacher, I hated teaching, and I was running in place here” (15). Grant’s pessimistic outlook revolves around the idea that the future is set in stone; it is predetermined, therefore he there is no potential for him to make an impact on the children he teaches. Without a direction in life, happiness is impossible to move towards. Once Grant changes his perspective and puts his heart into helping Jefferson, he is happier and feels that his life is