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Analysis Of Ernest J. Gaines A Lesson Before Dying

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Wayne W. Dyer once said, “judgments prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances,” and this is evidenced in Ernest J. Gaines’ novel, A Lesson Before Dying. Jefferson and Grant Wiggins are both black men living in a racial and prejudice society. Jefferson is a falsely accused, uneducated man about to be put to his death. Grant has a chance to initiate hope for Jefferson. During the early twentieth century, even after the African Americans gained their freedom, the white population felt superior to the black population, and no one in the black community had the power to go against this wrongful thinking. If Jefferson dies proving himself as a strong man, he is doing the unthinkable by taking a stand against the whites. A real …show more content…

He learns to love and accept everyone. This great personal and social improvement was caused by being let into the world that Jefferson has to face. Grant feels as if he can't stand up for the black community, but Jefferson can by dying a man, as described when he mentioned “a hero does for others. He would do anything for people he loves, because he knows it would make their lives better. I am not that kind of person, but I want you to be” (Gaines 191). Grant wants Jefferson to understand that by holding his head up high, he could make Tante Lou and Miss Emma happy because even though Jefferson may act differently, he still loves them and would do anything for them. This is Jefferson’s chance to prove everyone, including himself, that he has what it takes to stay strong as he marches towards his death. It will not only impact Jefferson’s immediate family but the surrounding community as well. More importantly, it will be standing up against the whites, a task that Grant was unable to do. Grant does his best to enlighten Jefferson of this opportunity he has. Unfortunately, Jefferson and Grant’s relationship isn’t always a smooth ride. Jefferson ignores everyone, including his nannan, and …show more content…

When Grant is angry, he tends to find Vivian or go to the Rainbow Club instead of facing his problems head on. Vivian is the only one who can comfort Grant. Grant gets into a bar fight, while supporting Jefferson, and Vivian is by Grant’s side through all this providing constant reassurement. Vivian and Grant love each other, which is mentioned countless times in the novel. The Rainbow Club is a place where Grant can hide from his burden of responsibility. The name “the Rainbow Club” suggests happiness and good fortune because rainbows are mainly associated with happy endings and fantasies as indicated when Grant said “I had to drive another two or three blocks before turning down an unlit road, which led back of town to the colored section. I could then see the Rainbow Club, with its green, yellow, and red arched neon lights” (Gaines 26). Eye catching and very lively, “the Rainbow Club” is very much unlike the surrounding unlit road that is filled with darkness.. The dark and gloomy areas are represented by his problems and responsibilities, while the Rainbow Club is Grant’s “happy place” to get away from his troubles. On the other hand, Jefferson deals with his anger by lashing out. Jefferson lashes out because he feels as if he can’t do anything about his impending death. For this reason, he continuously shames himself and others around him. Jefferson

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