Amiya Smith ENG 232 Christina Hale April 24, 2024 Chapters 16-22 In chapters 16 through 22 things get even more intense as the characters deal with racism and unfairness. Grant, trying to help Jefferson. Grant struggles with what he can do to help Jefferson while also fighting against a society that's stacked against them. Through their conversations and thoughts, Gaines shows us how the characters deal with their own feelings and hopes, especially as Jefferson's execution gets closer. In Chapter 16, we follow Grant's usual day at the schoolyard before he gets called to Miss Emma's house. Many thighs are talked about, including racial unfairness, dignity, and sadness. These are displayed through how the characters interact and react to …show more content…
Grant is asked to inform the man's godmother, Miss Emma, of the date. This shows the racial discrimination and power struggles in the South during the 1940s. The Louisiana setting is vividly described, contrasting the beauty of spring with the harsh reality of injustice. An example of this is the plum tree in the Coles’ front yard and the cherry tree in the Freemans’ side yard were covered with blossoms, white and lavender. The pecan trees were bare, gray and leafless, but the live oaks and magnolias were full of leaves. The road was fairly dry, but the ditches on either side still held water from the heavy rain we had had during the past couple of months (Gaines, 126). This quote highlights the contrast between the blossoming trees and the bare pecan trees, reflecting the separation between beauty and bleakness. Symbolism, like blossoming trees alongside death sentences, adds depth. Grant, Sheriff Guidry, and Henri Pichot reflect on moral dilemmas, highlighting systemic racism. The main conflict is the impending execution and Grant's struggle to do what's right. The chapter ends with Grant feeling …show more content…
It shows how they deal with community, identity, and the weight of history. Grant, talks with Miss Emma, Vivian, and Reverend Ambrose. There's a sense of togetherness as they support Miss Emma, but also tension and pressure in their relationships. Grant struggles with who he wants to be and what others expect from him, especially in his relationship with Vivian. This is shown when Grant said "Who else does my aunt have?" She has never been married... they want to hold on as long as they can. Not realizing that their holding on will break me too (Gaines, 136)." Grant reflects on the expectations placed upon him by his aunt and others in the community, acknowledging the burden of responsibility and the toll it takes on his own well-being. The characters also grapple Another struggle is with the legacy of slavery and racism, wanting dignity and respect in a society that hasn't always given