Analysis Of Ernest J. Graines A Lesson Before Dying

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Soren Kierkegaard says, “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” Life is like a test, it is up to individuals to find the answers and learn from their choices and mistakes. The most important lesson to learn before dying is to never give up, fight for ourselves and believe in what we want and that we can control our lives instead of being controlled by external forces. This lesson is being shown throughout in the novel "A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest J. Graines. The main character, Jefferson fights and stands up for himself as a black man and proofs that he is no hog. Jefferson’s aunt Miss Emma believes that everyone should be treated equally, therefore she fights for Jefferson’s moral. Also, Grant fights for …show more content…

When Jefferson was in court and was told that he was sentenced to death by electrocution, he is also referred to as a hog. At first, he lets this define him as a person but after a few talks with Grant Wiggins he starts to stand up for himself as a black man. The biggest breakthrough with Jefferson and fighting for himself is when Grant has a talk with him that brings him tears because Grant tells him how all the white men are expecting him to let the word "hog". Jefferson begins to write all his thoughts in a journal he wrote, "i been shakin an shakin but im gon stay strong" (Gaines 233), this line shows how he is fighting for himself and that he will not give up. By the end of the novel, Jefferson understands that by dying like a man, he will defy the society that wrongfully accused him and convicted him not just of murder, but of being black-skinned. He knows that by refusing to bow down in his final moments, he will make his community proud. For these reasons, Jefferson demonstrated a great example for overlooking other’s opinions and to fight for …show more content…

When he says, "I teach, but I don't like teaching. I teach because it is the only thing an educated black man can do in the South today. I don't like it; I hate it. I don't even like living here. I want to run away" (Gaines 188), this line shows how he is being pressured into doing something and being someone that he doesn't want to do or be but he still managed to overcome his struggle and move on. Moreover, when Grant tries to explain to Jefferson that a hero is above other men because he thinks of others before himself. Although he understands the definition, he does not live it. He wants to live for himself, he starts a bar fight in the Rainbow Room, believing to live a better life. These examples shows that Grant make his way to accomplish his wishes and to do what he wants rather than getting control by

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