Symbolism In A Lesson Before Dying

When incarcerated, many prisoners crave interaction with those outside the cold walls of their cell. Some, however, remain bitter and unwilling to venture any connection to outside society. Imprisoned in a Louisiana penitentiary, wrongfully accused of homicide, Jefferson in Ernest J. Gaines’s A Lesson Before Dying lives out his last days before execution isolated from the outside world. This all changes, however, as the actions of family and friends give Jefferson the opportunity to express himself as well as a newfound friendship. Jefferson’s connections to the world outside, to nature, and to his family and friends are depicted through symbolism throughout A Lesson Before Dying. Gaines’s utilization of symbolism over the course of his

The women in the novel show and share their love with one another by gifting baskets of food. A rejection of a meal is therefore a rejection of care, love and effort into a relationship. Grant observes that “nothing could have hurt [Tante Lou] more when I said I was not going to eat her food” (24). By refusing her symbol of affection and eating instead at a restaurant in Bayonne, Grant denounces his aunt’s efforts to care and love for a family member. The day after this incident, Tante Lou sarcastically remarks, “’Food there if you want it. Or you can go back where you had supper last night’” (35). It is because of this that Miss Emma becomes heartbroken and “ready to cry” when Jefferson, in his bitter state, refuses her gift baskets, always containing homemade foods such as fried chicken, yams, and tea cakes (72). In contrast, the friendship that grows between Grant and Jefferson reaches its debut as they converse while eating pecans picked by the schoolchildren. Food symbolizes the community between the characters. When characters break bread together, a bond is formed between the two. Over meals and coffee important discussions are held and important relationships are strengthened. Important decisions are also made regarding food, though not always good ones. Jefferson, during the robbery of Mr. Grope’s store, took money from the cash