A Brief Summary Of George Gaines Seasons Of Transformation

Seasons of Transformation

Seasons. Referred to as the four divisions of the year. Marked by changes in weather, ecology, and hours of daylight are very important to our existence. Similarly, human experiences reflect the seasons of our lives as one would say, “I’m in the winter of my years.” The main protagonist in the novel, Grant Wiggins, travels through one of the roughest paths in one’s life, the path to manhood. Through this path we can see, and almost feel the reflection of Grant’s perspective. This path begins with the frustration Grant feels when his students are reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Grant is a disillusioned product of the black church. He is insensitive and inconsiderate, as Vivian points out, he doesn’t consider the

They pledge to an American flag on a bamboo pole surrounded by a white picket fence. This suggests this church is “home” to Professor Grant’s students. As they recite the pledge Grant can “see smoke rising from chimneys”, “hear the tractors” and feel “the air chilly enough for a sweater” (33). Gaines uses sensory language to make the reader “see the smoke” “hear the tractors” and “feel the cold air”. As Gaines is describing the imagery, he also describes the color of the sky as, “ashy gray”. It is a dark, melancholy time; Grant feels he has little or no impact on his students. On the contrary, Grant has no empathy for his students, or sympathy for their hardships. From this moment, one can learn that he is frustrated with his life and with his role as a teacher. The man modeled seeks to control, not motivate. He is as cruel as the cold, unforgiving season of winter. He is as impatient as a late spring snow, and is as vindictive as a Western

The sky is still overcast, nothing has changed about Grant. He is still as cruel as the cold, unforgiving season of winter. Still, as impatient as a late spring snow, and is still as vindictive as a Western tornado. The reader begins to feel that maybe nothing will change about Grant, he will still be inconsiderate and immature. Later, Miss Emma tells Grant it would be a good idea to visit Jefferson all together. As they arrive to the court house, Gaines makes clear the irony once more, “They stood by the minister’s car, near the statue of the Confederate soldier and the three flags. The flags hung limp beneath the overcast sky.” (187) Grant is beginning to exercise three very important, and very different characteristics; compassion, willingness, and patience. Just as the sky began to clear his brooding thoughts got the better of him as if he was a rumbling thunder cloud. He encounters two mulatto bricklayers at the Rainbow Club. Having just explained to Jefferson the merits of personal choice and responsibility, he allows his anger toward the two bricklayers to overrule his better