A Lesson Before Dying
In A Lesson Before Dying, published in 1993, by Ernest J. Gaines, Gaines goes back to the 1940’s when racism was still alive and well. When a young, black man, Jefferson, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He ends up in the middle of a crime scene that he had no part of and takes a drink of whiskey, along with some cash. After he proceeds to flee the scene, two white men walk in and make assumptions on what has taken place. Jefferson is assumed the murderer; he is put on trial.
Although Jefferson tried defending himself, the jury still convicted him. It was a race issue because Jefferson is black and everyone in the courtroom was white. Jefferson was then sentenced to death. While Jefferson was on trial, a lawyer called him a hog; consequently, Jefferson is to be changed “into a man” before he dies. Jefferson’s godmother, Miss Emma, along with Tante Lou arrange for Grant Wiggins, Tante’s grandson, to make Jefferson a man before he is executed.
Grant does just that. Not only does Grant work with Jefferson to make him into a man, he also helps to improve Jefferson’s self esteem. Grant makes sure to let Jefferson know that he is not alone and can tell Grant anything. Grant gives Jefferson a journal to write in and express his thoughts and feelings about the situation. As time passes you can see the transformation of not only, Jefferson, but also Grant as persons.
The novel takes you on a journey of discrimination, racism, fear, hatred, and death. One of my favorite parts of the book was when Grant was talking about running away and said how he didn’t want to “live and die in this hellhole, when…[he] can leave and live like other people;” he recognized the injustice and absurd discrimination and rules of this town. I would highly recommend this book to those who are curious to have an inside look on how black people were treated when racism was at a high.