Jefferson A Hero In A Lesson Before Dying

Words: 162
Pages: 1

Virtually everyone has the opportunity to be a hero. The American novel, A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines, demonstrates this concept through the character, Jefferson. Gaines portrays Jefferson as a Christ figure. After being unjustly convicted of a murder, Jefferson is sentenced to death. Ultimately, Jefferson’s death represents a positive change in black community of Louisiana. While Jefferson may have died a hero, he was not originally. Following the conviction, Jefferson, grief-stricken, loses his sense of self-worth in its entirety as he considers himself, “just a old hog they fattening up to kill for Christmas” (p. 83). Eventually, Jefferson, with the assistance of protagonist, Grant Wiggins, regains his dignity and appears