Religion In A Lesson Before Dying

Words: 1502
Pages: 7
Open Document
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 about which Gaines has demonstrated considerable ambivalence through most of his career. In this novel, Gaines has achieved a greater clarity and perspective in his presentation of the workings of an entire cultural system. As a result of his discovery of the traditional culture as a basis for authority, he appears more hopeful. There is a real sense that the components are there to restore order to a culture fragmented by Diaspora.

A Lesson Before Dying contains many allusions to religion throughout the length of the work. Most prevalent being christian imagery. Even though the protagonist (being Grant) of A Lesson Before Dying spends five days a week in a church, he has a big problem with religion. The school where he teaches is housed in a plantation church in rural Louisiana, and he steers completely clear of …show more content…
His cynical nature and uncaring, even effortless, teaching style change in trying to move Jefferson to die with dignity. The cynical Grant begins to think of him as a Christ figure—repenting in front of Jefferson and saying that he feels lost—but should Jefferson show him the way, he will find salvation, if not as a Christian then as a caring and active member of the community. Grant tells Vivian that only Jefferson can break the cycle of failed black men; at the end of the novel, Grant begs Jefferson’s forgiveness as if speaking to a savior. Not only did Jefferson transform, but Grant did
Show More

Related Documents: Religion In A Lesson Before Dying

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

“A Lesson Before Dying” is a novel by Ernest J Gaines that took place during the 1940’s with concept, lifestyles, and ideas that have changed since then. Although the 1940’s is 70 years from the time period now some things have changed while some aspects have stayed the same. There are aspects like the role of women in society, school procedures, and segregation that changed while the others compare to now. In the novel by Ernest J. Gaines it is evident that the role of women in society, school procedures…

Words 621 - Pages 3

Symbolism In Ernest Gaines A Lesson Before Dying

Do you think your work is tough? Well, I don’t suppose that you have ever changed a man’s life in jail. In A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines, Grant Wiggins has to make a prisoner think that they are a man before their untimely death. In the story, the symbolism of the hogs, children and the butterfly are used to enforce Gaines' theme that you can’t change your past, but you can change your future. This paper begins by providing examples of repetition and then transformation. Throughout the book…

Words 839 - Pages 4

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

New Definition of Religion Essay

Professor Jim Metzger Religion 1000, Section 001 4-14-12 New “Definition” of Religion You may ask, why did I put quotations around the word “definition?” Well, the reason is that there isn’t really a way to define religion. When searching for the meaning of the term religion one most go a long way in making an extensive search to actually form a definition that can fit such a broad word. There is no one definition that can satisfy all religions and remain true to all religions throughout its answer…

Words 914 - Pages 4

Presentation and Role of Religion in Chronicle of a Death Foretold Essay

Explore the Presentation and Role of Religion in Chronicle of a Death Foretold Chronicle of a Death Foretold is set in Columbia, where the extreme theocentricity means every character’s actions are intrinsically affected by religion. Whilst Marquez also explores much deeper religious issues, the action of the novel centres on the God-fearing townspeople allowing the murder of Santiago Nasar, which clearly contradicts the Christian commandment ‘Thou shalt not kill’1 Since female virginity is so…

Words 1592 - Pages 7

Essay On Tuesdays With Morrie

The book Tuesdays with Morrie is about an elderly man named Morrie Schwartz diagnosed in his seventies with Lou Gehrig's disease. Morrie has always lived his life in his own fashion, taking his path less stressful. And continues to do so until his dying day. One of his former students sitting thousands of miles away in Michigan stumbled upon this episode of "Nightline" on the television by chance and most likely by fate. This student, Mitch Album, decides to pay a visit to his favorite tutor in quiet…

Words 2596 - Pages 11

Cultural Themes In A Lesson Before Dying

Culture Clash In the novel A Lesson Before Dying, the protagonist Grant faces many cultural clashes because of his characteristics; Grant is an educated black man with a lack of faith. His characteristics makes him a very unique character because of the setting in the story which is located in Bayonne, Louisiana during the 1940s. From his alienation in society, his values and assumptions of those around him are quite prominent. One characteristic of Grant that showcases his values and assumptions…

Words 967 - Pages 4

Tonga Essay

Tonga Tonga as a country has always been very religious and very deep into their culture. In Tonga family is everything, along with religion. Tongan religion is mostly Methodist, Christian or Morman. The king and the majority of the royal family are members of the Free Wesleyan Church (Methodist) which claims some 40,000 adherents in the country. Church is a big commitment as it is a way to show respect to their country and how it was founded. The Tongans have devoted their whole day on Sundays…

Words 2024 - Pages 9