Week 1
A lesson before dying is a remarkable story that shows you how blacks were discriminated against in the 1940's. The story starts off in a court room where a young black male, Jefferson, is accused of robbing and murdering 3 people, The story then flashes back to what really happened that day showing that Jefferson was actually innocent. Jefferson went into a store with some guys he knew named Brother and Bear, who were a little drunk and were not thinking straight. Brother and Bear then proceeded to try and bargain with the white store owner to letting him pay for the alcohol he wanted at a later date. The store owner refused which in turn made them angry. They then opened fire on the store owner and the store owner opened fire on Brother and Bear in return. Before he knew it, Jefferson was standing in the store with three dead bodies on the floor. To make a long story short, Jefferson was the last one alive and was accused of the crime. During the court session, his lawyer exclaims that Jefferson is too stupid to commit such a crime. He then proceeds to call him a hog. Jefferson's godmother is very appalled at this statement. She then asks Grant, a family friend and school teacher, to educate Jefferson before he is killed. She wanted this so Jefferson could die as a man, not a hog.
Notes from October 15th
- Title and Author: A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
- Protagonist: Grant Wiggins
- Major Characters: Tante Lou, Miss Emma, Jefferson, Sheriff Sam Guidry
- Point of View: First person
- Setting: 1940's in Bayonne, Louisiana
- Tone: Shifting from bitterness to confidence.
- Irony: Jefferson didn't commit the crime but is being punished for it.
- Symbols: Jefferson is constantly referred to as a hog. Jefferson's Nanaan sends him fried chicken every trip to the jail, because that is one of her main meals she made at home.
- Theme: The theme of racism and how blacks are treated differently from whites.
4x4
A Lesson Before Dying.
Mr. Grope is killed.
Jefferson is sentenced death.
Jefferson is really innocent.
No justice for Jefferson.
Is Jefferson a hog?
Is Jefferson a man?
Jefferson’s a black man.
Whites are over blacks.
Sheriff lets Grant teach.
Grant’s a school teacher.
Grant is Jefferson’s teacher.
Miss Emma cooks Jefferson food.
Miss Emma is “sick”
Vivian is Grant’s girlfriend.
Vivian is a teacher.
Mr. Grope is killed.
Jefferson is sentenced death.
Jefferson is really innocent.
No justice for Jefferson.
Is Jefferson a hog?
Is Jefferson a man?
Jefferson’s a black man.
Whites are over blacks.
Sheriff lets Grant teach.
Grant’s a school teacher.
Grant is Jefferson’s teacher.
Miss Emma cooks Jefferson food.
Miss Emma is “sick”
Vivian is Grant’s girlfriend.
Vivian is a teacher.
Bailey's 4x4 on PhotoPeach