Miss Emma In A Lesson Before Dying

Miss Emma’s Mission

In the novel, “A Lesson Before Dying,” Jefferson is convicted of a murder that he did not commit. As his defense attorney pleads with the jury, “Gentlemen of the jury, be merciful. For God's sake, be merciful. He is innocent of all charges brought against him. 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." (Gaines 6). Throughout the novel, Jefferson’s humanity is lost and he loses hope in himself as a human being. He associates his self-worth with a filthy animal, dehumanizing himself and taking the public defender's words to heart. He has little value for himself because he knows that society doesn't value him either. Miss Emma makes it her sole priority to

Sheriff Guidry says, “I’d rather see a contented hog go to the chair than an aggravated hog. It would be better for everyone concerned.” (Gaines 49). Miss Emma believes that

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Jefferson is not animalistic, or stupid, he is smart and worthy of humanity. She wants him to be convinced of self-worth and ignore society’s ongoing racism. Jefferson is constantly being called a hog and is degraded, which was typical for blacks during this time. He begins to believe this about himself, especially since blacks were treated with such discrimination. His humanity is taken away and reduced to a filthy animal.

In conclusion, Jefferson himself starts to lose all humanity for himself and is convinced he is no more worthy than a hog. Throughout his time in the prison, he begins to start mocking a hog but Miss Emma makes it her mission to convince him otherwise. She enlists Grant’s help to make sure Jefferson gains confidence and dignity that he is a man, worthy of humanity. Jefferson is caught is society’s lie, that he no more than a mere possession, unworthy of humanity and