A Lesson Before Dying: Character Analysis

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Being committed to something comes from an effort within. Being obligated is a sense of duty. Sometimes they may seem alike. In Ernest J. Gaines’s novel A Lesson Before Dying, we are introduced to a young man named Jefferson who is being put to death and a teacher named Grant Wilson. Their paths will intertwine when Grant is asked by Jefferson’s godmother to teach him to be a man. What starts off as an obligation becomes a commitment to teaching and learning what it means to be a man, a human being. With the help of strong women and a diligent reverend, a lesson truly taught. In this novel, Gaines wants the reader to understand that obligation and commitment is sometimes very difficult to define. Being asked to do something always feels like …show more content…

After the fight at the Rainbow Club, Vivian takes Grant to her home. She tells him that he should have walked away and never fought. The repercussions of Grant’s actions might also affect Vivian and her children. Instead of apologizing, Grant says he loves Vivian. “I don’t know what you mean by love” she tells Grant (210). He says he has done the best he can. Besides sex, she asks if he has given her any consideration at all. (210). Grant is silent. Here, I believe Vivian wants clarity of what Grant’s love is. His avoiding to answer Vivian’s questions raise a red flag. It could make the reader question how much Grant loves Vivian and to what extent. Grant’s actions are not measuring up to his words. In Grant’s last visit with Jefferson, he teaches Jefferson that there is something greater than possessions and that is love. He, Grant mentions to Jefferson the instance when Miss Emma visited Jefferson and brought gumbo. Even though he was not hungry, he ate it please her. Grant is telling Jefferson that all he, Miss Emma, Tante Lou, Reverend Ambrose want Jefferson to do is “do something to please her” (222). It is known that Miss Emma raised her godson, who is not biologically related to her. In doing this, she has tried the best she could to make him a man. To be able to return that gratitude and love back to someone who cares about you very much can help solidify the relationship. It is something that is and should be stirred and committed

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