A Lesson Before Dying Quote Analysis

A Lesson Before Dying

1) “How do people come up with a date and time to take life from another man? Who made them God?” – Grant (Page 157)

• This quote exemplifies Grant’s relationship change between him and Jefferson. Throughout the trial Grant didn’t care for the case, seeing Jefferson as almost a lost cause. Now that a date for Jefferson’s death has been set, he preaches that no man has the right to kill another, specifically white people deciding the fate black people. I thought this quote was very strong as it shows how, at the time, many people were getting upset over this case and almost made Jefferson out to be sort of a hero. The fact that he died with courage was extremely strong.

2) "Look at the shape of this skull, this face as flat as the palm of my hand—look deeply into those eyes. Do you see a modicum of intelligence?" (Page 13)
• I thought this quote was very interesting because of the strategy the attorney tried to use. It would be very un-expected to learn that this guy is actually trying to defend Jefferson. For this case, Jefferson’s attorney tried to convince the jury that because of his African features that he has no intelligence therefore he couldn’t be held accountable for the crime he committed. I think that this is pretty wrong, from a readers point of view, knowing that Jefferson is actually

innocent is extremely frustrating. We continue to read and listen to all the struggles he went through where as today he would be a freeman.

3) “What justice would there be to take this life? Justice, gentlemen? Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this.” (Page 8)

• Here is another example of how Jefferson’s defense attorney tries to persuade the jury in a poor way.

The attorney claims that it would be wrong to kill a man no more intelligent than a hog. This is seen as very controversial and is almost a turning point in the story. From that moment on Jefferson was dedicated to not die “like a hog” and rather “die like a man”. He learns how to read and write and most of all his dignity was at an all time high. The symbol of the hog has a huge role in this book, as it is the driving force behind the whole bigger meaning of this story. By dying with courage, Jefferson was told he would always be

remembered.

4) “I want you to show them the difference between what they think you are and what you can be.” - Grant (Page 191)

• I pulled this significant quote from chapter 24 where Grant goes to visit Jefferson in jail. Here Grant tell Jefferson that his death will actually become very important. He goes further into detail explaining how the community will remember his death and the trial for a long time and that Jefferson’s struggles will leave a strong impact on many people. I find this to be very important to the story and sadly inspirational. Jefferson had a lot of courage to do what he did and I can definitely see it impacting others and their lives.

5) “Good by mr wigin tell them im strong tell them im a man” -Jefferson (Page 234)

• Here Jefferson writes his final words in his diary intended for Grant to read. He wants Grant to promote the fact that he died like a strong, and brave man. He also shows affection for his loved ones, which really shows how he changed his hog-mentality. This final quote I find to be extremely strong as it is almost the cherry on top to the book. I found the novel to be very moving and should continue to be taught for many more years to come. I had a great time reading this book and definitely took away a strong life lesson from it.