Thomas Jefferson Passage Analysis

Words: 1219
Pages: 5

How was Grant there but not there? How could a person be at a place and not be at a place at the same time? These words reveal acceptance in Grant and imply that he does not have to physically be at the trial to know what the result will be. This quote is important to the book because it foreshadows and predicts that Grant is accepting the fact that because he is black just like the man on trial, he already knows the sentence, not only due to this trial but of the many trials he will face throughout his life. In addition, this line symbolizes the dilemma of the African Americans in the south which is that while they keep a physical existence in a racist south, they need and lack rights and a voice.
Although Jefferson’s attorney makes various
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When they called Jefferson a “hog”, that is when she utterlycrumbled with despair. Miss Emma doesn’t want Jefferson to die thinking that he is a “hog” so she wants him to think and believe that he is a “man”, which she refers to Jefferson being knowledgeable. Miss Emma has a reason for wanting Jefferson to be a man and not a hog when they execute him which is furthered explain and developed through the course of the book, I predict. It seems like through Jefferson, she desires to get rid of southern stereotype that black men are not humans but animals. This stereotype is a brutal offense and only displays the perspective of racists whites towards blacks. This stereotype also deprives African Americans human positive characteristics by comparing them to animals. Therefore I believe Miss Emma wants Jefferson to die a man and to die with mortality, grace, and poise, in order to demonstrate to the whites that black people are more than …show more content…
Miss Emma chooses to work with the only influence she has with an almighty white family to attempt to assist her godson. She reminds them of all of the years that she worked cooking and taking care of their house, and appeals to their sense of justice to get them to help her. This event shows the unjust treatment that occurs in Mr. Henri’s house and I predict it is all part of a general environment of absolute injustice that pervades the novel.
This is the first definitive statement of Grant’s need to run away, to escape his society and the heavy burden he carries on himself. Vivian says, “We’re teachers,” but Grant is not dedicated or committed to his students or their families. The Rainbow Club is a location where he can go away and hide in the semi-darkness from the people who look up to him for guidance and support that he feels neither eager nor capable to supply. Grant’s need to disappear and indisposition to engage to his community stimulates one of the novel’s main