Jefferson In Ernest Gaines A Lesson Before Dying

A dynamic character is one who grows and changes during the course of a novel, and in Ernest Gaines’ novel A Lesson Before Dying, Jefferson is a perfect example of a dynamic character. Through the course of the novel, Jefferson grows from thinking of himself as no better than a hog, and even acting like a hog, into a man who is able to bravely walk to his own death. The first time Jefferson is introduced is during his own trial in the very first chapter. However, it is after the trial when Jefferson begins his journey as a dynamic character. When Grant first sees Jefferson at the jail, Jefferson is naught but an empty shell. He is distant and pays little attention to Grant, Miss Emma, or any of his visitors. Even his vague attempts at
However, this change can be viewed as good or bad. The reason for this is because, though Jefferson does indeed talk more, he talks about how he is nothing but a hog. On top of this, Jefferson even acts like a hog, as can be seen from this quote: “I’m go’n show you how a hold hog eat… He knelt down on the floor and put his head inside the bag and started eating, without using his hands. He even sounded like a hog.” (83) This act is absolutely horrifying. It is terrible to see that he has become the hog that all the racist people of the community believe him to be. However, at the same time, this conversation is good; Jefferson is talking about what has him so aggravated. Though it may not be in a very positive way, at least he is talking and at least partially opening up to Grant. However, by the same token, it seems that Jefferson has sunk to his lowest point. Now Jefferson thinks of himself as just a hog. On top of this, he does not care for Grant and only seeks to irritate him. When Grant tries to aid Jefferson, he responds with, “Just keep on vexing me… See what I won’t say. Just keep on vexing me… bet you I’ll scream.” (129) Jefferson even goes as far as to insult Vivian, the person Grant cares about most in the world. At this stage of the novel, Jefferson has progressed from someone who is entirely quiet, empty and moody, to someone who is still rather moody, but also is bitter and angry, and
Suddenly, it seems as if Jefferson has seen the light. He understands what Grant has been trying to teach him. He understands the need to be selfless, and he understands that he is a human. “Yes, I’m youman, Mr. Wiggins. But nobody didn’t know that ‘fore now. Cuss for nothing. Beat for nothing. Work for nothing. Grinned to get by. Everybody thought that’s how it was s’pose to be.” (224) Jefferson is no longer acting like a hog, and he is no longer silently moping about. By now, Jefferson has grown and matured into a man, and not the hog that everyone thinks he is. The relationship between Grant and Jefferson has also changed dramatically by the final third of the novel. The two now get along and care for one another, as can be seen this entry from Jefferson’s diary, “sometime mr wigin i just feel like telling you i like you but i dont kno how to say this cause i aint never said it to nobody before an nobody aint never say it to me.” (228) From this touching quote, it is clearly seen that Jefferson cares about Grant, a significant change from his behavior in previous areas of the book. In this final third of the book, Jefferson has grown immensely from the person he once was. Now he is no longer a hog. Now he is ready to face his death on the electric chair not like a hog, but like a