Character Analysis: A Lesson Before Dying

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A Lesson Before Dying was a book that I don’t think I will ever forget. Every page was filled with emotions of the characters and Grant’s thoughts and outlook on life. A Lesson Before Dying does not have a whole lot of culture in it, but still shows that the bravest person is one who exceeds or defies expectations, in this case, expectations set by your race. The book is set in the 1940s, before the civil rights movement, which sets the story with racial conflict. Jefferson is a young black man who was sentenced to death due to being the survivor of a liquor store shootout. He was looked down upon while in court, his own lawyer insulting him because he was black, calling him a stupid hog who wasn’t capable of planning a murder. This sets the main conflict, which is Jefferson preparing to die and how he and the people around him deal with it. Many characters, including Grant, don’t expect much from him before he dies. Grant doesn’t understand why he should bother with a man who is going to die soon anyway. …show more content…
He is known to be well-educated as opposed to the stereotype of black people being stupid, which at times brings up conflicts between Grant and other people. For example, on page 57, when Dr. Joseph, the superintendent, visits Grant’s school, Grant makes a suggestion to get newer books for the students, as Grant doesn’t have all the books necessary to teach and the books that he does have are weathered and have pages missing. Grant questions how he can teach in such conditions, to which Dr. Joseph replies, “Are you questioning me, Higgins?”, refusing to acknowledge any of the suggestions that Grant has said and moving back to his

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