Food In A Lesson Before Dying

Food has always been an integral part of human life since the beginning of time and can be used in many different ways to mean different things without having to blatantly say them out loud. Every single person that lives today or that has ever lived has experienced food in their own way. Being such a universal commodity, it comes to no surprise that in some parts of the world and throughout different periods of time the use of food and drink were inherently used express either a group of people or a way of life unique to them. Thus, through food are people able to truly connect and interact with one another in a more relaxed setting. Which is why in “A Lesson Before Dying” Ernest J. Gaines uses food in a tactful way to develop his characters and setting.

For example, Miss Emma generously offers to share the leftover goodies that she brings for Jefferson stating “both times she told the young deputy to give the food to the other children” (76). Miss Emma knew that she was in a prison and yet she chose to refer to the other inmates as “children” which is proof in it of itself that Miss Emma is a loving woman who not only loves Jefferson but those around her. In contrast the children of the school in which Grant taught were told to gather pecans and peanuts to grant and they happily obliged. These kids did not know Jefferson all that well but still went out and saw him at his cell. Another character that shows emotion with the kind of food he has is Grant. He wishes to bring Jefferson ice cream because he knows that he will love it. Grant is growing closer to Jefferson and by wanting to make his life easier with gifts such as ice cream and radios their bond grows