Character Analysis: A Lesson Before Dying

A Lesson Before Dying a play by Romulus Linney based on the novel by Ernest J. Gaines was performed at the Clarence Brown Theatre, March, 2016, and showcased a powerful performance of a heart breaking story that left the audience in tears. The production portrayed the themes of racism, injustice and redemption in death through powerful acting, staging, and lighting. With a play like this it was very clear what the playwright’s objectives were and he obviously wanted to put issues that continue to greatly affect our society in a platform for the audience to see and be aware how these issues can have an impact in a person’s life and their love ones. Racism and injustice are not issues left in the 1900s, they are still hugely prominent in our society every day. The play is set in the 1940s when racism and injustice behaviors were a normal

Once Jefferson faced the reality of the fact that he was going to die, and actually dealt with that concept in a more positive way, a change occurred. He approached death in a way which not only helped him die with dignity and peace, but he defied those who unjustly treated him and destroyed any negative perceptions of him as a black man. In the production the audience got to see this moment when Jefferson was executed. He was dressed like an actual human being, and there was a change in his whole body. As he walked through the stage towards the wall which opened to a bright light, his face and body looked at peace, and there was no anger or tension expressed through his body any more. The use of lighting to create the moment of his death was also a huge success in showcasing how he was headed to a glorious place with no more pain and injustice. That moment in the production was definitely very emotional and heartbreaking because it sunk in how powerful racial issues, and injustice can be to the life of a