Analysis of A Lesson Before Dying Essay -- Ernest J. Gaines

everyot Wiggins is the narrator of the novel. He was born in the plantation just outside of Bayonne, Louisiana. He lived in that location until he went away to college, and when he went back home, he was detached from the population in the town because of his education and different religious beliefs. He is easy angered and often very selfish. This is contriven in the way that he acts towards Vivian. He consistently does not give her the attention or respect that she deserves. He refers to her children as simply, the babies, and only cares most the names of his and Vivians future children. Grant goes from sh everyow and selfish at the beginning of the story, to caring and loving at the end.Jefferson is an honest, young black man with below-average intelligence. After being called a rat by his lawyer, he loses all self-respect, and feels as if he is really no better than a hog. He becomes sullen and angry after being sentenced to death. The visits that Grant pays Jefferson ev entually revive him out of his emotional slumber, and he begins to see himself as a human being again. Ultimately, he serves as Grants teacher, as he submits him how to be loyal and how to love. Tante Lou is Grants extremely religious and aunt. She is very persistent, and does not stop begging Henri Pichot until he agrees to talk to the sheriff about her and Grant visiting Jefferson. Tante Lous faith allows her to believe that Jefferson will spoil as a man. Without this faith, Grant, at first, does not believe in Jefferson. disdain her social status because of her skin, she and Miss Emma dress with dignity, and demand respect from all who will give it to them.Minor CharactersMiss Emma is Jeffersons godmother. She loves her godson Jefferson, and heads this through all of... ...ed by Grant on his drive to Bayonne.I want you to show them the difference between what they think you are and what you can be. This is a retell from Grant to Jefferson. Grant tries to instill on Jefferso n the significance of his death. He cherished Jefferson to be an example of the strength of black people as a whole.To show too much intelligence would have been an insult to them. To show a lack of intelligence would have been a greater insult to me. This is a quotation of Grants thoughts. He was talking to the sheriff, and did not know how to act. He is more educated than the sheriff, but since he is black, he cannot show it.Manners if for the living. This quote is from Jefferson to Grant. Jefferson said this to Grant after overbearing Vivian. It shows his lack of love for life. At this point of the story, he was sad and solitary and did not want to live.