Character Of Paul In A Lesson Before Dying

Words: 1955
Pages: 8
Open Document
In Ernest Gaines’s novel A Lesson Before Dying there are many morals that the writer is trying to express to the readers by means of his characters. Some believe that the most important lesson to learn before dying is freedom. However, the most important lesson in A lesson before Dying is accepting yourself and is shown through the characters; Paul, Jefferson, and Grant.
While it is often seen that Paul Bonin’s character is only in the novel to promote the idea of equality and to challenge the typical white authority figure, Paul has a much bigger role when it comes to acceptance in the novel. Firstly, Paul is an inspiring force for Jefferson as he is one of the only guards within the prison who treats him with respect pushing Jefferson to …show more content…
He makes it very obvious that he is upset with the little progress that has been made when it comes to slavery and, while blacks are considered free, are not quite so. Grant makes several references to his former teacher, Matthew Antoine, who he sees as a figure he does not want to end up like reminiscing, “years ago, Professor Antoine told me that if I stayed here, they were going to break me down to the n---- I was born to be,” (Gaines 64). However, nearing the ending of the novel Grant starts to make a turnaround and accepts many aspects of his life. Firstly, while early on his only wish is to flee with Vivian, his girlfriend, to another state, saying, ““You want to leave from here tonight?” I asked her. “You want to go home and pack your clothes and get the children and leave from here tonight?” (Gaines 25). As the novel progresses Grant becomes more understanding of Vivian’s position and that their life together will most likely remain in the Quarter. Grant can accept this as he has learned from Jefferson that life can end at any moment and that he wants to spend his life with Vivian even if that means living in the Quarter from now on. Grant expresses this stating, “I went to the front door and jerked it open, and there was the screen. And through the screen I could see outside into the darkness, and I didn’t want to go out there. There was nothing outside this house that I cared for. Not school, not home, not my aunt, not the quarter, not anything else in the world,” (Gaines
Show More

Related Documents: Character Of Paul In A Lesson Before Dying

Character Analysis Of Jefferson In 'A Lesson From Dying'

A great character from A Lesson From Dying whose mind is pulled in conflicting directions is Jefferson. On one hand he has Miss Emma, Reverend Ambrose, and Grant telling him to be a man. Then there’s have the white people of the community, with an exception of Paul’s family, telling him he’s a hog. It shows how even though slavery was abolished, and african americans had rights, most caucasians still treated blacks like they were beneath them even though that’s not the case. For a majority of the…

Words 356 - Pages 2

Religion In A Lesson Before Dying

In A Lesson Before Dying, Gaines (the author) adopts a more affirming attitude toward the entire range of Southern traditional rural culture, and he finds in this culture, which includes African-American religion, respect for elders, loyalty to family and neighbors, and common-sense morality, a useful and enduring cultural tradition that can be set against the fragmentation inherent in the long Diaspora. The importance of A Lesson Before Dying rests in the novel's acceptance of a Southern folk culture…

Words 1502 - Pages 7

A Lesson Before Dying: Chapter Analysis

Reader Response for Chapters 24-31 In the final chapters of A Lesson Before Dying, Grant spends the last of his visits with Jefferson before his execution date. Grant has begun to ignore others’ ridicule and scolding of him and focuses solely on Jefferson. The two of them have finally forged a friendship with one another, and Jefferson has accepted his fate. He walks bravely to his electrocution, until Grant notes to himself that “it is finally over” (Gaines 252). The novel began, followed, and…

Words 704 - Pages 3

Death In A Lesson Before Dying

In Earnest J Gaines’ novel, A Lesson Before Dying, a character named Jefferson is sentenced to death for murdering three men in a convenience store. Two are African American men and one is a white man. Being called a “hog” discouraged Jefferson from eating or having a conversation like an ordinary human being. However, with the help of the town’s teacher, Grant Wiggins, Jefferson is able to find his dignity. His unfair sentencing and execution illustrates the meaning of the author’s work by displaying…

Words 622 - Pages 3

A lesson before Dying Essay

Morgan Honors English July 28th, 2013 A Lesson Before Dying Before Reading Assignment In Nicholas Sparks’ “The Guardian”, the reader is consumed into the story, falling into the small-town, comforting feel of the setting. The author makes you feel as if you are there in the way he speaks of the little town: “…quiet streets of Swansboro. It was cold; the sky had been angry for a week, and the rain made gentle tapping sounds against the window. Trees were barren, their cragged limbs curling…

Words 2295 - Pages 10

A Lesson Before Dying Major Works Data Sheet Essay

Data Sheet – English 1 Honors Block: 1AB Date: 4/27/13 Title: A Lesson Before Dying Author: Ernest J. Gaines Genre: Historical Fiction Title Associations or Predictions: Given the title, A Lesson Before Dying, we can infer and predict that a character in the book will die. Also, we can predict that before they die, they will learn something, probably a valuable lesson Biographical Information about the author: Ernest J. Gaines was born in Oscar, Louisiana in 1933. He was born…

Words 4242 - Pages 17

A Lesson Worth Living for Essay

Pedro Arellano February 22nd, 2013 AES 212 Paper #1 “A lesson worth living for” In Ernest J. Gaines ‘A Lesson Before Dying,’ Grant and Jefferson both teach us crucial lessons about causing positive change in an oppressive community. In the novel, Jefferson, a young adult, was charged with the murder of two black men, and the old storekeeper of White Rabbit Bar and Lounge, Alcee Grope. During his trial, his defense attorney claims that Jefferson lacked the intelligence to…

Words 1950 - Pages 8

A Lesson Before Dying Literary Analysis

A Lesson Before Dying Literary Analysis There is a famous saying that goes, “Behind every successful man, there is an influential woman.” Women play important roles in the lives of men improving or changing their personality entirely. In the book A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines, the protagonist Grant is given the task of restoring the dignity that was stolen by the white supremacist society into his former student Jefferson. Throughout the book, all credit goes to the women for Grant’s noticeable…

Words 1005 - Pages 5

Symbols: Black People and Jefferson Essay

notebook as if writing a letter to Grant, which suggests that Jefferson looks to Grant for guidance even when alone in his cell. Finally, the notebook symbolizes hope for future collaboration not just between blacks, but between blacks and whites—for Paul, the white deputy, delivers the book to Grant and asks to shake Grant’s hand. The Chair When it arrives in a large black truck, the chair in which Jefferson must die evokes many different reactions from people in the town. The truck drives slowly…

Words 1689 - Pages 7

Connect This Essay

White Power: An Analysis of Racial Tensions in Crash by Tori Goyette In 2004 Paul Haggis directed the Oscar winning film Crash, a drama fundamentally about race and its effects on various people in Los Angeles. The acclaimed movie earned rave reviews from average viewers, as it asked hard questions about racism on an individual level and showed some harsh realities that are usually avoided on the big screen. The movie promotes racial awareness, but like any conversation about race, it demands…

Words 1864 - Pages 8