A Lesson Before Dying
Written By Ernest J. Gaines
Essay By Alli Francis
Lessons are told so others can see the significance of a story or event. They are learned through instruction and support from others and by personal experience. Several characters in Ernest Gaines' A Lesson Before Dying experienced this, particularly Jefferson and Grant. Both men were able to learn from each other and in the end made each other better and more mature people.
Grant Wiggins, the narrator, is the son of cane-cutters on a plantation in the Deep South. Unlike those before him, Grant is the school teacher on the plantation and has attended college not only to become educated, but to escape the heavy prejudice and racism against blacks. This negative environment has made him bitter and have little faith in himself, society, or the church. He does not believe anything will ever change and feels he can not help others or make a difference in their lives. Meanwhile, Jefferson, a sensitive,......
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Approximate Word Count: 706
Approximate Pages: 3 (260 words per double-spaced page) |