An Analysis Of Ernest J. Gaines A Lesson Before Dying

Imagine be sentenced to death knowing you did nothing wrong. Imagine having to figure out what legacy you want to leave on this world when you haven't even been alive in this world for 25 years. In a Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, this is what a 21 year old black man is expected to do when he is wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit. He is sentenced to death and Grant and Reverend Ambrose have taken on the challenge of making this boy into a man who will die as a Christ figure the way a man should. The purpose of Jefferson’s diary at the end of the novel is to show his growth, and to prove that Grant and Reverend have done their job of making Jefferson into a man before his execution, throughout the chapter it shows his

He writes, “...you say rite somethin but i dont kno what to rite..” (p.226), “i ain never rote nothin...” (p.226), he ends his first entry by saying, “... i cant think of too much to say but maybe nex time” (p.226) He still feels as though since he has never been given the opportunity to write, he is not admirable enough to have important things to say. This is the same Jefferson that was displayed throughout most of the book, feeling unsure and worthless. However at the end of his diary he is asking to have the lights remain on all night so that he can continue to write down his thoughts and

At the end of his diary he writes first of what he knows he must do, “...but now i got to be a man an set in a cher” (p.234) Next he shows that he knows he has to be strong, “i been shakin an shakin but im gon stay strong” (p.233) At last, he shows that he wants to die with his community knowing he left strong. “tell them im strong tell them im a man good by mr wigin” (p.234). Finally, at the end of his diary entry he is saying his goodbyes. He specifically requests Mr. Wiggins to tell the community he was strong and walked to his death. This especially shows that he finally understands what it means to be a christ figure. To die knowing you’ve left everything you possibly could on earth, including to live the remainder of your life accepting your death knowing it will change the fate of