What Does Grant Say In A Lesson Before Dying?

1.
In the novel, A Lesson Before Dying, the defense attorney states, “Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this.” This statement is echoed throughout the novel. For example, Jefferson seems to absorb these words and obsess over them during most of his time in jail. Jefferson begins to believe he really is like a hog and frequently states to Grant and Jefferson’s godmother that he is just a hog. For example, in a discussion between Grant and Jefferson they state, “’That’s for youmans,’ he said. ‘You’re a human being, Jefferson,’ I said. I’m a old hog…” (83 Gaines). Therefore, one of the main ways that the defense attorney’s statement is echoed throughout the book, is through Jefferson’s discussions with visitors in prison.

One lesson that Jefferson learns from Grant is that he has the potential to make a difference to the whole town. Grant teaches Jefferson how he has as much potential as anyone else. By believing in Jefferson and giving him resources, Grant helps teach Jefferson this lesson. Jefferson changes throughout his time in prison to become more aware of his worth. One way Grant helps Jefferson realize this is by organizing his students and other people from his quarter to come and visit Jefferson, this makes Jefferson realize how he matters to his community. Jefferson writes in his diary, “…cause o the peple com to see me cause they hadn never done nothin lik that for me befor” (231 Gaines). This shows how Grant helped make Jefferson more aware that he mattered to the community. Grant also helped Jefferson learn that he was a human being, not a hog, like Jefferson’s defense attorney had stated. Before his execution, Jefferson stated “Tell Nannan I walked” (254 Gaines). Jefferson’s last words show how much he had understood how much he and his death mattered to his community and Nannan and that he understood his own self-worth as a human being and would be walking to his death as a