Analysis Of Ernest J. Gaines A Lesson Before Dying
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”(Philippians 4:7). In the novel, A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines, one of the protagonists Jefferson discovers that the combined transformation of death, understanding, and religion can overpower the thoughts of a common man and no matter how much one struggles, hope will always confide them. Told in first person point of view, the author supports his theme by describing the setting of the struggles that the African Americans face after the era of their ancestral freedom, establishing the central conflict of inequality and prejudice. This affects the work as a whole because Gaines’ purpose is to inform readers about the rift,
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Consequently, he associates wrong from right and love from hate. Jefferson has kept his nose to the grindstone all his life and is not the stereotypical apathetic negro. In the efforts of Grant educating him, Jefferson begins to loosen up and “there was no hate in his face—but Lord, there was pain [and Grant] could see that he wanted to say something, but [that it was] hard for him (153). Although Jefferson was fostered without a paternal role model, he was brought up with love by Miss Emma. She “wants to hear [that Jefferson] did not crawl to that white man [and] that he stood at that last moment and walked. Because if he did not, she knows that she will never get another chance to see a black man stand for her" (136). Her ambition is controlled by her surroundings and ethnicity. She never had the impression to rescue Jefferson from the electric chair, rather rescued from the discrimination that limited his own appreciation of himself. On the other hand, it hurts Jefferson to see his godmother in such situation, that he ignores her love. It has been said that the “black men have failed to protect [their] women since the time of slavery (136). In this case it is neither that but treason. About 100 years ago, ancestral freedom was gained and yet in the present times, exile and injustice has taken form. These deep effects that the history of slavery can have on family structures and gender relationships can affect how one may think of another. Towards the end of the novel, Jefferson realizes that this feeling of being alone has changed and awaits the redemption that was long entitled in his
Consequently, he associates wrong from right and love from hate. Jefferson has kept his nose to the grindstone all his life and is not the stereotypical apathetic negro. In the efforts of Grant educating him, Jefferson begins to loosen up and “there was no hate in his face—but Lord, there was pain [and Grant] could see that he wanted to say something, but [that it was] hard for him (153). Although Jefferson was fostered without a paternal role model, he was brought up with love by Miss Emma. She “wants to hear [that Jefferson] did not crawl to that white man [and] that he stood at that last moment and walked. Because if he did not, she knows that she will never get another chance to see a black man stand for her" (136). Her ambition is controlled by her surroundings and ethnicity. She never had the impression to rescue Jefferson from the electric chair, rather rescued from the discrimination that limited his own appreciation of himself. On the other hand, it hurts Jefferson to see his godmother in such situation, that he ignores her love. It has been said that the “black men have failed to protect [their] women since the time of slavery (136). In this case it is neither that but treason. About 100 years ago, ancestral freedom was gained and yet in the present times, exile and injustice has taken form. These deep effects that the history of slavery can have on family structures and gender relationships can affect how one may think of another. Towards the end of the novel, Jefferson realizes that this feeling of being alone has changed and awaits the redemption that was long entitled in his