Death In A Lesson Before Dying

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In Earnest J Gaines’ novel, A Lesson Before Dying, a character named Jefferson is sentenced to death for murdering three men in a convenience store. Two are African American men and one is a white man. Being called a “hog” discouraged Jefferson from eating or having a conversation like an ordinary human being. However, with the help of the town’s teacher, Grant Wiggins, Jefferson is able to find his dignity. His unfair sentencing and execution illustrates the meaning of the author’s work by displaying how Jefferson redeemed himself at the time of his execution. This execution contributes to the overarching theme of Gaines’ novel by illustrating how the person whom the entire community deemed a “hog” could rise up and be a man. The entire book led up to Jefferson’s death. The climax was whether or not Jefferson would stand up to his oppressors or cower like the …show more content…
Jefferson becomes a Christ figure as he starts to fight against the racial stereotypes instead of adhering to them. Both Jesus and Jefferson are wrongfully convicted and tried. The mayor was aware of the similarity between Jesus and Jefferson. This is displayed when the mayor moves the execution date to two weeks after Easter. Grant arrays that he thinks of Jefferson as a Christ figure when he repents in front of Jefferson and says he feels lost and without a religion or a part in the community. Grant also speaks to Jefferson as if he is calling upon a savior. At the end of the novel, Grant begs for forgiveness as if he is speaking to his savior. Grant also says to him, “My faith is in you, Jefferson.” Jefferson’s death is symbolic of the crucifixion of Christ. Both Jefferson and Jesus died as martyrs. They suffered persecution in life and death for refusing to advocate a belief as demanded by society. This demonstrates how significant Jefferson’s framed death was to the people living in
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