Racial Injustice In Ernest Gaines A Lesson Before Dying

In Ernest Gaines’ novel, A Lesson Before Dying, the author uses a third person point of view to assess the issue of racial injustice in the South during the 1940’s. Grant understands that justice is evaluated unfairly and knows that it does not favor the poor and uneducated black man. Due to Grant’s ability to be able to understand others, he successfully learns how to bring justice, while assisting Jefferson. This presents the audience the significance of the novel as a whole, embracing responsibility and facing injustice.
Grant feels as if he shouldn’t feel obligated or pressured to help bring justice to Jefferson. This is because he believes that Jefferson got himself into that situation. Having been pushed to help bring justice for Jefferson, Grant says, “ And I teach the white folks around here, tell me to teach reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic. They never told me how to keep a black boy out of a liquor store” ( Gaines 13). In Grant’s view, this instance is none of his business. Therefore, he doesn’t believe that he should help Jefferson. As Tante Lou keeps on annoying Grant to visit Jefferson; he gets aggravated. Reaching his boiling point after being vexed by Tante Lou, Grant exclaims, “ He wants me to feel

Immediately after hearing Jefferson’s execution date, he instantly thought, “ How do people come up with a date and a time to take life from another man? Who made them God” ( Gaines 157)? In disbelief, Grant feels infuriated on how these people are capable of doing this. Therefore, he questions the justice system by pondering to himself, “ Twelve white men say a black man must die, and another white man sets the date and time without consulting one black person. Justice” ( Gaines 157)? Undoubtedly, Grant registers the unfairness and lack of justice. Even though this is the case, Grant still continues to help Jefferson become the man he