A Lesson Before Dying Film Analysis

A Lesson Before Dying centers an African American school teacher,Grant Wiggins, who finds himself torn between decisions in taking chances for himself or for a young black man named Jefferson; convicted of murder and sentenced to death. The storyline involves around racism in the south and how it affects the people it concerns. They live in a community that is controlled and run almost exclusively by the white race and are constantly expected to act in a certain manner because they are believed to be on a lower level due to their skin color. This belief that they are inferior causes conflicts on oneself. Likewise, the beginning is not so great as Jefferson is accused of a crime he did not commit. He was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, …show more content…
The book is a lot more descriptive and expressive than the film. The film skips a lot of scenes and chapters so it seems choppy and incomplete but when you go further into the book, it paints a lot of imagery in your mind and gives a better sense of what's happening. For example, when Grant gets into arguments with Vivian, or when he’s trying to talk to Jefferson, he barely responds (A Lesson Before Dying 1999 Film). However in the novel, “I don’t know how long I stood there looking out into the darkness- a couple of minutes, I suppose- then I went back into the kitchen. I knelt down and buried my face in her lap (Gaines, 210).” In this way it can be good because we know how Grant is feeling and we can see how the events affect him. The author uses indirect characterization to reveal things he wants the reader to see. Especially with Grant because we can see his thoughts and analyze his character through what he thinks and says. The transition seems smooth and delivers the story most accurately in the novel but the film lacks action and expression when Grants anger and frustration is displayed through dialogues and …show more content…
This difference changed the overall story, there was no deputy at the end returning the notebook to Grant with honest amazement and respect in his eyes as he tells Grant what happened, “Allow me to be your friend, Grant Wiggins. I don’t ever want to forget this day. I don’t ever want to forget him (Gaines, 255).” This was really a page-turner because for a white man to show respect, friendship, and kindness to a black man, it's astonishing and breathtaking. So when the film completely disregards the relationship between the deputy and Jefferson, it doesn’t feel like there will be any hope for the society nor will the vicious cycle ever

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