A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines Book Analysis

While many might believe that their actions do not matter, one must realize that a better society comes from miniscule changes. This idea is explored in Ernest Gaines’ novel A Lesson Before Dying, which takes place in Louisiana in the 1940’s. Jefferson, a young black man, is wrongly accused of the murder of three men and at his trial, the jury decides Jefferson is guilty. While nothing changes the verdict, Miss. Emma, Jefferson’s godmother, wishes for Grant Wiggins, the local Black school teacher, to help Jefferson die like a man and not a hog, a belief instilled onto Jefferson through his attorney. With many ups and downs, Grant visits Jefferson to teach him valuable lessons and by the end of the novel, Jefferson faces his execution with enough dignity to believe that he is not a hog, but rather a man. Throughout the novel, Ernest Gaines conveys the truth that small victories lead to great changes in society. 

Gaines utilizes the symbol of gifts to convey that everyone, including those who are imperfect, holds the power to make positive changes to the community with minute acts. When Grant gives Jefferson a “brand new” radio, Grant notices a change in Jefferson (Gaines 175). In the beginning of the novel, Jefferson was filled with hatred and believed he “was an old hog they were fattening up” (83). However, upon receiving the radio, Jefferson “[looks] at [Grant] without hate” for the first time since his trial, revealing that Jefferson’s demeanor is changing (182). The radio symbolizes a created connection between Grant and Jefferson, one that is starting to make movement towards the end goal: help Jefferson believe he is a man. This small gesture of gifting the radio helps Jefferson understand that Grant does want to help him and leads into Jefferson understanding Grant’s lesson of why he should care about living his last days right. In one of Grant’s later visits, he brings along the peanuts and nuts the children gathered for Jefferson and gives Jefferson the “apples and a couple of candy bars”' along with “some funny books” he had bought (184). The food Jefferson was given is symbolic of Jefferson being connected to the community. The nuts from the children and gifts from Grant make it clear to Jefferson that the community does care about him even though the community “hadn never done nothin lik that for [him] befor” (231). Through this revelation, Jefferson realizes he must also give back to the community. The tiny acts of kindness from everyone help change Jefferson’s beliefs. In the end, these changes pushed him to stride to his execution with his head held high and turning his last words into a tribute to Miss. Emma. 

Gaines’ continues to express his thematic truth with the use of characterization to reveal that Paul’s determination to treat those less than him with dignity is one way change is made in a community. As Paul searches Grant on one of his visits to the jail, Grant knew Paul believed it was an unnecessary action through “his eyes that… [were] wondering why” he had to search him and through “the light touches on [Grant’s] pockets” (168). Gaines employs this characterization through Paul’s discomfort to reveal Paul’s stance on particular societal issues. While Paul does not make any effort to go against these unjust practices, Paul is sympathetic for Grant and the treatment Black people face. Paul, unlike any other White character, takes the first step towards any real change: acknowledgement of the problem. Through this acknowledgement and giving this small amount of dignity to Grant, Paul is making a change in Grant’s life that will lead to bigger transformations for Black people. One of the bigger transformations in Grant’s life is shown when Paul talks to Grant after Jefferson’s execution. Filled with hope, Paul wishes Grant would “allow [him] to be [his] friend and when Grant takes his hand, Paul “held [Grant’s] with both of his” (255). Gaines applies characterization to demonstrate that Paul’s small act resulted in Grant being treated with respect for the first time. Paul takes an action that represents the beginning of a time where things are able to be different and that one doesn’t necessarily need to do much, one just has to want to change. 

When considering Gaines’ use of symbolism and characterization, it is clear that great changes can be made to society with small triumphs. Everyone grows up believing that major change can only be made by powerful people, yet Gaines conveys that change can occur through one’s willingness to change and their ability to perform small acts for others.