Differences Between Jefferson And Grant Wiggins

The way we face difficult situations defines who we are as a person, sometimes these situations provide opportunities for us to be heros. According to Grant Wiggins’s definition of a hero, by the end of the novel he becomes a hero himself. He states, “A hero is someone who does something for other people. He does something that other men don’t and can't do. He is different from other men. He is above other men. No matter who those other men are, the hero, no matter who he is, is above them.” Grant becomes a hero by earning an education to become a teacher, undergoing mental and emotional changes, and counseling Jefferson to die with dignity.

A hero is different from others and does something others can’t do. Grant’s deterimination to defy

At the beginning of the novel, Grant wonders if he can teach Jefferson how to die when Grant himself doesn’t know how to live. But, through his many visits week after week, most of which were unsuccessful, he finally gets through to Jefferson while realizing something himself. Grants first breakthrough with Jefferson happens when Jefferson asks him for a gallon of ice cream, but instead Grant brings him a radio, which he has to stand up for himself against a white woman to get, after this first breakthrough things begin to run smoothly between Jefferson and Grant. At their next visit Grant takes Jefferson on a walk. As they walk, Grant tells Jefferson that a hero does something other men do not do or cannot do. Grant says that he is not a hero, but that Jefferson can be a hero. Grant says he cannot stand up to defy whites, and that the reverend will not stand up to defy them, but Jefferson can do it. Grant tells Jefferson that he needs him more than Jefferson needs Grant. As he speaks, Jefferson starts to cry quietly at his side, and Grant begins to cry

The author shows how two ordinary black men living in the troubled South become heroic figures for each other and for the community too. Closer to the execution, Jefferson begins teaching Grant and starts to act how Grant should act, lifting his head up and being brave. Jeffersons diary proves Grants heroism at the end of the novel because Jefferson shows the compassion and love that Grant gave to him which gave him the strength to face his execution with pride and dignity. Jefferson wouldn’t have been unable to do that before Grant came to him, but through Grant, Jefferson was able to face his fears and prove his worth and pride to