A major relationship in A Lesson before Dying is the relationship between Jefferson and Grant. Though unsure in the beginning of their relationship, both Grant and Jefferson end up looking up to one another, and because of Grant, Jefferson is able to walk to his execution as a proud man. The relationship between Jefferson and Grant is that of a student and teacher. In the beginning of their relationship Jefferson was unwilling to hear from Grant; he would look at Grant with accusing eyes and try to aggravate him through constant insulting. The days following the inevitable decision of Jefferson’s execution date, Jefferson begins to open up more, telling Grant the next time he visits that “I want me a whole gallon of ice cream,” while smiling. After that meeting Jefferson and Grant started to become friendlier to each other, and developed a bond with each other. Consequently, when the day came for Jefferson’s execution, he was able to stand and walk with a dignified look on his face. This relationship had a very positive effect on both Jefferson and Grant. After the trial, Jefferson saw himself as a hog and saw himself as below normal people. It was because of his relationship with Grant that Jefferson could learn about his own importance. Grant was the driving force for Jefferson to transform from the hog that he saw himself as, into the man that he knew he could be. Through Grant’s guidance, Jefferson was able to oppose the image that society forced upon him and was able to make his family and community proud. Before Grant starts to visit Jefferson in his cell, Grant disassociates himself from the community, he wants his
