A Lesson Before Dying : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Heroes in the Making
Review: Ernest J. Gaines' novel, A Lesson Before Dying exhibits a young man's transformation from believing he crawls like a hog, to believing he walks like a man. Gaines uses local color and his study of Creoles to bring the novel to life. I absolutely love this book, because it shows representation of honor and heroism in two black men, Grant Wiggins and Jefferson, in their lives in Louisiana. Grant lives metaphorically through Jefferson's imprisonment from a conviction of murder which he did not commit, and the two men struggle together to defy the unexpected and become heroes of the town. Gaines creates a hopeful tone through the novel, and he emphasizes the motif of quiet heroism to prove that faith will keep a man strong so that he may find his dignity. Gaines establishes a hopeful tone through similies, references to southern black Christianity, and motifs. The novel begins comparing his godmother to a "great stone" which represents the stable black women as support for the men. Miss Emma serves the purpose of keeping the hope alive for the young men and trying to instill faith in both of them. As Grant's aunt tries to her religion on him, he only thinks, "I didn't believe anymore and I didn't want her to try forcing it on me." His aunt never gives up, because the only way Jefferson will learn the faith is through Grant. this task seems impossible to Grant, because he knows that he cannot make a man pray if he does not pray himself. Grant needstrength, and Revernd Ambrose tries to convince him to ask God. He in forms Grant that, "you would have the strength if you had God." The novel works its way to gaines' motif of inevitable change by Grant's visits and teaching sessions to Jefferson. The change has to face the status quo and thoughts of others, including the sheriff who thinks, "Nobody can make that thing a man. Saying might as well let him go like his is." Jefferson's change from a hog to a man is compared to a butterfly and its metamorphosis. Grant wonders if there ever was a change in Jefferson, and Paul convinces him by letting him know that, "I saw the transformation. I'm a witness to that." Everyones hope helps the men in their battle against the status quo. Gaines produces a motif of quiet heroism from symbolism and references to heroes. Jackie Robinson is a hero of the times and Miss Emma presses Jefferson to be like him in that he stands like a man to become a hero. Jefferson's heroism also compares to Crist. Grant's classroom has a picture of The Last Supper which compares to Jefferson's last meal before the execution. Another picture is of Christ knocking on a door, and it represents Jefferson knocking on the door of hope and faith.Jefferson cannot be executed during Lent, because the town will not allow it. Grant remembers, "because of our state's heavily Catholic population, it might not go well to have two executions just before the beginning of Lent." Jefferson is scheduled to die between the hours of noon and three which is the time of Christ's crucifix. The town knows that a man can be humiliated and still stand from Jefferson's example. The two men learn from each other, and come to possess the quality of quiet heroism. A Lesson Before Dying is a lesson to everyone to follow their heart and always keep hope. Having hope in life and focusing on goal can make anyone a hero. This novel is a reminder that one should never lose hope, because a struggle for one man can be seen as a great victory and savior for many others. I really enjoy this novel, because it teaches valuable life lessons!

Rating:
Summary: A Legacy of Heroic Faith
Review: You must read this book twice. Read it once for general comprehension and then again for true understanding. A Lesson Before Dying is not a book, but rather an updated Bible of the 90's. It teaches the lesson of an ordinary man, more specifically a black man of the South, becoming a legacy, simply because he endured. I embody the character Jefferson. Jefferson has been accused of a crime he did not commit, murdering a store clerk and then taking money from the register. Yet, he did not know that he would be tried for a crime less apparent, the crime of being black. I understand as an African-American I will never be treated or looked at the same as a Caucasian or any other race for that matter. I can't say that at times I haven't questioned why I would be born into such hatred. But, now I have come to a universal truth and it is as follows, the color line is a line dependent on a bias mentality, the finish line is a line dependent on impartial faith. I draw this conclusion solely based on the race for equality, a race not yet won. Although I think the strongest line of all comes in Chapter 31, when the last words of Jefferson are," Tell Nannan I walked." Jefferson took steps not only towards death, but also towards freedom. He freed himself from the chains, of which we are all connected, the chain of ignorance. Jefferson endured degrading circumstances. He was confined into a tiny jail cell for months. He was isolated from friends and family. His only link to the world was his ability to write. The words he placed inside the notebook, which Grant, the schoolteacher bought him, streamed across the page like an ever-flowing river. Jefferson, a common, everyday black man took a stand not for his own personal benefit, but for the hope of equality. He refused to be another statistic in the books; he refused to be the "hog" the white man treated him as. Faith made Jefferson not only a man, but also a hero. Ernest Gaines is a heroic writer. He wrote about a time when the limits were tested and about a struggle that continues through today. The lesson I learned at sixteen years of age was a lesson for life. The lesson I learned was that faith is worth dying for.

Rating:
Summary: A Death That Teaches A Lesson In Life
Review: Point blank, this book is excellent. The story will remain within you long after you finish reading it.

In A Lesson Before Dying, a young man named Jefferson is sentenced to death for a crime that he did not committ. He is referred to as a hog by his defense attorney, and his nannan, Emma, doesn't want him to be put to death feeling that way. She enlists the services of Grant Wiggins, the local black teacher to try and get Jefferson to learn that he is a man and that he has to set the record straight.

The transformation is not an easy one, but in his meetings with Jefferson, Grant teaches himself as well as the reader a remarkable life story. The journey is completed when we read the wonderful summary by Jefferson at the end.

All of the characters in the novel are so richly developed, and they intermingle extremely well with each other. Ernest Gaines uses such a wonderfully subtle language that places the reader right into Louisiana as a part of the story, which makes for a very entertaining read.

This is such a complete, well-written book with so many positive messages. It is an amazing piece of literature. A Lesson Before Dying will leave a lasting impression.

Rating:
Summary: A Lesson Before Dying
Review: Book review: A lesson before dying

A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines, is set in the south in a dominantly white community in the 1940's. A young man, Jefferson is accused of a crime that he had nothing to do with. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. During the trial, his lawyer calls him a hog. This insult hurts his family more than his sentence, which happens to be death by electrocution. Miss Emma, Jefferson's godmother is bound to repair his reputation. She will get someone to educate him and help restore his pride. Grant Wiggins is the man chosen for the job. Grant is persuaded by Miss Emma and his aunt to visit Jefferson in his last days in prison. During the time Jefferson and Grant spend together they form a bond and learn many lessons that can't be taught. I liked this book because it shows you what you could be missing if you pass up an opportunity to help someone. You might find out something about that person that you never knew. I also liked how the author shows that the teacher isn't the only one learning. Sometimes the teacher learns more from the student. I recommend this novel to anyone who likes realistic fiction. This novel received the National Book Critics Award For Fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, subtle.
Review: After reading this I immediatly ordered another Gaines book, and will undoubtedly read everything else he's written. The character's struggles are so universal, even though the time and place are very specific and far removed from someone like myself, an Asian-American female who grew up in the Southwest.

Gaines gives us insight into the climate of pre-Civil Rights Louisiana, and for the version I read (just shy over the 200-page mark), less is definitely more. The barest details and subtle nuances picked up through dialogue and the very believable interpretations by the main character are extraordinarily strong and perceptive. The story managed to remind me that not everyone of Caucasian descent during that time was hostile and unreasonable toward African and Black Americans, and that their actions oftentimes were dictated by the conditioning in their environment rather than deep-seated personal hatred and bigotry.

The main point of the story involved a teacher's (Grant)commissioning to impart his learning and knowledge unto a man (Jefferson) sentenced to die for a crime he did not commit. What at first seems like an unlikely "overnight" transformation hits home later in the most poignant way, when readers are given a special gift from Jefferson himself.

Please read this book.

Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: This story is amazing. A must read. The story will become a part of your life permanently!

Rating:
Summary: Lesson in Self-Worth
Review: This story fills its reader with a new appreciation for the ways one person can change another person's life, even in the most deperate, hopeless, and unfair circumstances.

Rating:
Summary: Truly a Lesson Before Dying!
Review: This book was one of the best that I have read in a very long time. It's heros and heroines are real people with real problems. Rarely do we ever get to experience the trials and tribulations of the teacher. Jefferson and Grant learn, ever so slowly, but surely, who they are and what they are meant to do. What makes this novel so realistic is Grant's hatred towards the prospect of having to teach Jefferson and Jefferson's cowardice and confusion in the beginning of the novel. Imagry and symbolism in this book are so artisticly that the novel becomes very true to life. I could not put this book down when I read it, and I plan to read more of Gaines' work. If you want to read a novel about racism, heroism, friendship, hatred, self identity, love, lessons and humanity; read this book!

Rating:
Summary: Useful for everyday life today
Review: I first got to know about this book, when the author was on television in Oprah Winfreys TV-show. I found the item interesting and ordered the book. When I read the book, yes, it was very interesting, and, in a passage, when Grant, the teacher talked to his schoolclass about his duty with Jefferson, he told them that his duty was to make Jefferson a decent, knowing and responsible person - this is quite what I try to teach You. When I read that, I understood, that this book is just about our community here and now, and not just and old tale. So I also got a lesson before dying. With love Gerda Vilholm [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: destined to be a classic
Review: I read this book over two years ago.....and a lot of books I've already forgotten in the interim, but this one stays with me. Mr. Gaines is an incredibly talented author and he uses his talent to tell a story about being human, about the simple compassion for one person....and the larger impact that can have on a life, both for the giver and receiver. I hope that this book will become part of reading lists in high school and college curriculum...I believe it is that important. Other reviews here will tell you what the story is about....I'd like to simply convey how I believe this book will touch the heart of anyone who reads it.