A Lesson Before Dying: Character Analysis

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

an obligation. Miss Emma and Tante Lou, Grant’s aunt, indirectly ask Grant to go and talk to Mr. Pichot so that an arrangement can be made to see Jefferson. When Mr. Pichot asks if he believes that Jefferson can be changed from a hog to a man, Grant says he has no idea. When asked if he is willing to try, Grant responds, “That’s what she wants, sir,” (21). Even though Grant is initially reluctant to helping Jefferson, he obliges to the request of Miss Emma and Tante Lou. In this case, Grant is posed with two reasons why he should accept the task: two people who do not have long left to live. This could make someone do what was asked of them out of sympathy. As Grant, Miss Emma, and Tante Lou are at Mr. Pichot’s, Miss Emma adds on that she wants her godson to die like a man. She speaks of all she has done for the Pichot family and how she has been very selfless, but now “somebody got do something for [Miss Emma] one time before she dies (22). This woman has gone above and beyond for people. She takes in a boy who has no biological connection to her and raises him as her own while helping the Pichot family with many things. A life of servitude is not something one would ignore. Recognizing that in the case of Miss Emma would make and grant the request presented. Even though favors from certain individuals may feel like obligations, those same individuals may help guide us to where we go with this obligation.
People can influence our sense of duty. Grant is visiting Jefferson and Jefferson is trying to get him angry. He angers Grant when he mentions Vivian, Grant’s girlfriend, in an appropriate manner. Relaxed, Grant replies, “It’s she who keeps me coming here. . . . I wouldn’t be in this damn hole” (130). Vivian is a heavy influence on Grant. She often helps guide him into making well thought out decisions. Vivian herself is an independent, intelligent, and reasonable person. Grant could be trying to mirror these qualities because it will maybe bring them closer together. She inspires him to be a better person. After a very emotional visit with Jefferson, Miss Emma and Tante Lou, Grant goes to the Rainbow Club, an establishment he frequents. It is here that Grant overhears two mulatto bricklayers talking about Jefferson and how he should have already been killed. With pride about his great mood, he tries his best to enjoy “one of the best days” he has had with Jefferson so he cannot “let this kind of trash destroy that good feeling” (199). Alas, Grant could not tolerate them anymore, so he fights them. The men unknowingly damage the fact that progress has been made with Jefferson. By fighting the bricklayers, Grant defends Jefferson and the progress made. This influential reasoning of duty should be credited to the individuals responsible. We should always let them know this.
We should show love and understanding to the people we care about and those who care about us.

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

to.
The definition of what it means to be committed or obligated can blur especially when it comes to people. Depending on the person, we may or may not feel obligated to do something when asked by them. Sometimes people can help us see where our duties or priorities lie and we should reflect the love we have for others back on them. Whether it be a dying person or a person regarded as an angel or savior, we feel something inside to grant their requests, have them influence us and show them that we appreciate what they do and who they are. The line between commitment and obligation may be very thin but it is easy to see how one can be the other.