A Lesson Before Dying

This book can be dated based on close reading from chapter 12 when the book mentions Jackie Robinson. The quote "All three stood talking baseball. Jackie Robinson had just finished his second year with the Brooklyn Dodgers," tells us all that we need to know to date this book. The book takes place in early October 1948.

"All there was to see were old white weather-houses, with smoke rising out of the chimneys and drifting across the corrugated tin roofs overlooking the yard toward the field, where some of the cane had been cut. The cane had not been hauled to the derrick yet, and it was lying across the rows. A little farther over, where another patch of cane was standing, tall and blue-green, you could see the leaves swaying softly from a breeze.

“Left of the weighing scales and the derrick was the plantation cemetery, where my ancestors had been buried for the past century. The cemetery had lots of trees in it, pecans and oaks, and it was weedy too.”

“My classroom was the church. My desk was a table, used as a collection table by the church on Sundays, and also used for the service of the Holy Sacrament. My students’ desks were the benches upon which their parents and grandparents sat during church meeting. Ventilation into the church was by way of the four windows on either side, and from the front and back doors. There was a blackboard on the back wall. Behind my desk was the pulpit and the altar. This was my school.”

Grant, an agnostic, spends most of his time in the church on the Henry Pichot Plantation. The school that he teaches in is the same place in which the town gathers on Sunday morning for praise and worship. Grant is continually challenged with the fact that he is an outsider in his place of work; he does not attend church with the rest of his settlement. Throughout the entire novel, this school is seen as a place of discrimination. Segregated schools provide another example of racial persecution.

Despite Grant's personal atheism, much of the black culture and community focus on religion. This occasionally annoys Grant.

"Bayonne was a small town of about six thousand. Approximately three thousand five hundred whites; approximately two thousand five hundred colored. It was the parish seat for St. Raphael. The courthouse was there; so was the jail. There was a Catholic church uptown for whites; a Catholic church back of town for colored. There was a white movie theater uptown; a colored movie theater back of town. There were two elementary schools uptown, one Catholic, one public, for whites; and the same ]red. Bayonne’s major industries were a cement plant, a sawmill, and a slaughterhouse, mostly for hogs. There was only one main street in Bayonne, and it ran along the St. Charles River."

Bayonne is an actual city in France, but also the fictional Louisiana town depicted in the novel.

"We followed him down a long, dark corridor, passing offices with open doors, and bathrooms for white ladies and white men. At the end of the corridor we had to go up a set of stairs. The stairs were made of steel. There were six steps, then a landing, a sharp turn, and another six steps. Then we went through a heavy steel door to the area where the prisoners were quartered. The white prisoners were also on this floor, but in a separate section. I counted eight cells for black prisoners, with two bunks to each cell. Half of the cells were empty, the others had one or two prisoners. They reached their hands out between the bars and asked for cigarettes or money. Miss Emma . She told them she didn’t have any money, but she had brought some food for Jefferson, and if there was anything left she would give it to them. They asked me for money, and I gave them the change I had."

"The cell was roughly six by ten, with a metal bunk covered by a thin mattress and a woolen army blanket; a toilet without seat or toilet paper; a washbowl, brownish from residue and grime; a small metal shelf upon which was a pan, a tin cup, and a tablespoon. A single bulb hung over the center of the cell, and at the end opposite the door was a barred window, which looked out onto a sycamore tree behind the courthouse. I could see the sunlight on the upper leaves. But the window was too high to catch sight of any other buildings or the ground."

Constructive lying is a remedy commonly used in the novel 'A Lesson Before Dying'. It is especially used by Grant, Jefferson and Reverend Ambrose.

The aim of constructive lying is mainly to spare others from pain by keeping the truth from them.

When Jefferson talks to Grant with the help of constructive lying this expresses his hopelessness. Another intention of him is to build distance.

Another instance of constructive lying can be found between Grant and Miss Emma. Grant deliberately avoids the conversation with Miss Emma to think of a suitable lie first. Furthermore, he cleverly steers the conversation in another direction. During his conversation with Miss Emma after his visit to Jefferson, Grant lies and tries to present Jefferson in a good light.

When Grant visits Jefferson, he is displeased because he does not eat the food of his godmother Miss Emma. Knowing that Miss Emma is being in a bad health condition Grant decides not to tell Miss Emma about this incident and rather lie by telling her what she wishes to hear about her godson. These lies can be seen as constructive since they aim to prevent Miss Emma from getting hurt. However, later on, Miss Emma realizes that Grant lied to her because when she visited Jefferson, the picture Grant painted of him did not match reality. Therefore, in retrospective, the constructive lie created more pain than the truth.

Grant uses constructive lying to present himself better and thus meet the expectations of others.

Finally, Reverend Ambrose appeals to Grant that constructive lying is necessary. He refers to Aunt Lou and lists what she "accepted" earlier for Grant.

The church has a great impact on the community. It is not only to integrate a person to be a complete part of the group, but also to define someone's worth. The belief in God strengthens the members of the community and helps them cope with the adversities of life. In addition an early part of the children's life is strongly influenced by religious education in school.

Even though the teacher Grant Wiggins is not religious, he struggles with the question of what to believe in. His absence at the church on Sundays is not only an act of rebellion, but it also shows an ongoing process of reflection. In the following, it becomes clear that Grant's belief in God and his urge to remain truthful are strongly related to the belief in existence. His sources of hope are the loving relationships within this life. Still, he detects too much injustice and hopelessness to agree with the idea of a universally applicable God. Grant feels trapped by the unjust system of racial discrimination. Therefore, he develops some cynical manners: Instead of seeing the spark of potential, he observes the predetermined future of his students. Still the reader watches Grant grow and realizes that he does teach Jefferson a lot about human dignity and hope that can be found in earthly existence.

Reverend Ambrose, in contrast, is described as a simple and devoted believer and embodies a very important member of the quarter. Ambrose finds his hope and drive in religion. Therefore, he is capable to bear not only personal issues but to stand by others in their pain. While this makes him a consistent character, he also stands out due to his lack of criticism against the earthly circumstances. In addition to that, the reverend presents a black-and-white mindset regarding anything opposing his beliefs.

Those two opposing characters both influence the young prisoner strongly. While Grant explains earthly concepts of dignity, hope and pride to the living Jefferson, the reverend donates the religious hope for the executed one. The young man manages to combine a strong belief in his worth with confidence in whatever might come. In consequence Jefferson “takes the cross”.

Tante Lou

Tante Lou is a large black woman in her early to mid-70s. She cared for Grant Wiggins when his parents left him and brought him up as a child. That strengthens her image of a maternal figure. Her best friend is Miss Emma Glenn, the godmother of Jefferson. The two women dress respectfully and try to resist and overcome racism in Bayonne County. Tante Lou finds freedom for her soul in her deeply religious faith in God and the church. Being linked up with this fact, her family is very important to her and her dignity and pride are where she gets her power and motivation from. Although she often says hard, cold words to Grant she loves him like her son and does not want to lose him to another woman. That is why she is very cool towards Vivian (Grant's girlfriend). Tante Lou plays a major role in motivating and guiding Grant. She is the one who demands Grant speaking with the Pichots in order to gain visitation rights at the prison and always wants him to help Jefferson. Therefore, Tante Lou can be seen as a positive force in Grant's life and the community. Tante Lou can be made responsible for Grant's development because she always claims him for being true to himself, knowing that failure to do so would ruin him. She is a powerful and strong woman who is very self-confident. She cannot be influenced very well what makes her a difficult dialogue partner. But in the end, Tante Lou is very important for Grant and his attitude towards Jefferson. Without Tante Lou, the novel would miss one of the most important side protagonists.

Miss Emma Glenn

Miss Emma is a black woman in her mid-70s. She has grey hair, which is comped up and pinned on top. She is of average height but weighs nearly 200 pounds. Moreover, she has a close relationship with Tante Lou, who supports Miss Emma's plans to ask Mr Pichot's brother-in-law, the sheriff, if Grant is allowed to visit Jefferson in jail. In her past, she worked as a cook for Mr Pichot's family. Miss Emma is a deeply religious, churchgoing woman who wants her godson Jefferson to die like a man, which is why she asks Grant to visit him in jail. She presents herself as determined for achieving her aim. She hopes to get Mr Pichot's help and pursues her goal persistent. Thanks to her stubbornness, Miss Emma gets Mr Pichot's promise that he will try to help her. In public, Miss Emma hides her feelings which you can tell from her behaviour in the courtroom. She seems to be absent-minded and just stares in front of her as if she was „a great stone “. One can say that Miss Emma is a controlled, strong-willed and dignified woman who pursues her aims with persistence.

Vivian Baptiste

Vivian Baptiste is Grant's girlfriend. She has children and is still married to another man but they are in the divorcing progress. She is not as outspoken and overbearing as Miss Emma and Tante Lou but Vivian is definitely a strong black woman. In many instances, her strength emphasizes Grant's weakness. She has defied her family by marrying a dark-skinned black man, even though her action causes her to be ostracized from her family. Although she loves Grant she does not hesitate to point out his shortcomings, tactfully, without challenging his male ego. Vivian is a lady, refusing to let Grant take advantage of her. After nursing his wounds following his barroom brawl, she gives him an ultimatum: Unless he is willing to show her some consideration, she will leave him. Vivian is a mother, teacher, and lover and is totally aware of her responsibilities. For Vivian being a teacher indicts to be a leader and role model. Vivian takes an active role in trying to change the status quo. Her goal is to instil hope in her students for a brighter future and a life outside the limited plantation community. She does this by building their self-esteem and helping them become contributing members of the community,

Edna Guidry

Edna Guidry is the sheriff's wife. She is an extremely kind woman with a deep heart and ability to sympathize people. Actually, this woman is one of the rare characters in the book that can deeply and sincerely sympathize with black people. Being a wife of the sheriff, Edna makes all she can to better the position of Jefferson and let his people visiting him. The woman is not able to do much, but it is clear how crossed she is with the situation. One can notice how this situation touches her heart. It is important to mention that Edna sympathizes not only Jefferson. She is also crossed with the condition of the widow Grope. The woman does not take the one side protecting someone's rights. She just empathizes to those who are crossed and look broken. She is ready to hug Madame Grope, and at the same time, she sincerely asks Gran to say Miss Emma how sorry she is about Jefferson. Both sides have their pains and Edna is compassionate with all of them. Throughout the story Edna's addiction to drinks is noticeable. It is not accurately told but one can easily notice the hint on this condition.

Occupation

- Miss Emma: cooked at the Pichot house - Tante Lou: maid at the Pichot house - Vivian: teacher at a black catholic school in Bayonne - Edna Guidry: housewife - Shirley: waitress at Rainbow Club

They do not own leading roles in politics or community. Vivian is the only one who visited a university, the only one who experienced a further education. Due to their position in the community, they are not really capable of influencing the court.

The women in this novel are the moving roles. Without them the whole plot would not be happening because of their activity and them taking action. It is clear that Jefferson would have died like a “hog” if it was not for Tante Lou and Ms Emma. The feminine characters like Vivian are mainly responsible for the outcome of the situation. She convinces Grant to stay in Bayonne which allows Jefferson a death in dignity. Tante Lou and Emma Glenn treat Grant and Jefferson like their maternal children and care selflessly for their family members. Thanks to Edna Guidry sympathizing with the other women it is possible for them to visit Jefferson. Ms Emma is the first black woman having tea in the house of the white sheriff which conducts that gender, for woman, creates bridges across the racial segregation. The Feminine is desired to keep their communities stable. Emma, Lou and Vivian sacrifice their happiness for other's sake. Women seem more endeavoured to help others than men in this novel.

Grant states: “A hero is someone who does something for other people. He does something that other men don´t and can´t do. He is different from other men. He is above other men. No matter who those other men are, the hero, no matter who he is, is above them.”

These examples of feminine behaviour named above fit this definition of heroism. Gaines portrays them as strong people with a mind of their own. They do everything to help and support their beloved ones and take care of things. Besides that, they suffer under the conditions in their community and the racial segregation but even in this state, they keep their heads held up high. Gains presents women as an important part of the family and community who hold everything together but at the same time experience e a lot of pain and hard work.

The theme of education is omnipresent throughout the novel especially through the role of the narrator Grant Wiggins – the teacher of the local elementary school. He is assigned by the “white folks around here” to teach the basics of knowledge like reading, writing and math in the heavily underfunded all-black school, the church serves as a classroom. His teaching methods are, as was probably normal at that time, very strict and brutal.

After receiving higher education in university, he returned to his home community. Now seeing no progress in the future chances of his students, he feels frustrated and wonders about the relevance of the education since his students are likely to work like their families on plantations captured in the cycle of poverty and racism. He believes that Jefferson alone can break this circle by showing everyone that change is possible. (Despite attending university Grant himself is captured in the cycle and unsatisfied with his life.

Education is also depicted as a root for frustration for another reason. In contrast to this academic education, Gaines continues the theme in Grant's task to teach Jefferson morality. Jefferson is a young man that was sentenced to death for a crime that he hadn't committed. During the process, the defence argued Jefferson was a hog that couldn't be judged like a man. Grant Wiggins has the task to morally transform his former student from a hog into a man. In that task, he is rivalled by reverend Ambrose, who thinks only the church can save Jefferson's Soul. The student-teacher relationship shifts from frontal teaching to an exchange between Grant and Jefferson. Facing the difficult task of teaching morality, Grant is reliant on Jefferson's on will. During the process, he discovers bit by bit how Jefferson opens himself to him and by that how he can reach him, and how to teach him to be a man.

The term "inescapable path“ and its meaning is quite illustrative for the novel. The main character Jefferson is trapped in his hopeless situation due to his sentence to the death penalty. Moreover, he can not withdraw from the encounters he has with the other main character Grant Wiggins, which also leaves the circumstances as inescapable.

Grant Wiggins finds himself as well in an ineluctable position, where he would rather leave the town of Bayonne, but is constantly reminded of his commitments, regarding his students, his aunt and his partner Vivian. Furthermore, Grant sees society’s issues with racism as fairly graved when he realizes that corporately nothing progressed over the time being when he went to university:

"I had not come through that back door once since leaving for the university, ten years ago.“

Grant feels like that apartheid is still the trigger for the social scissors in their society. An example therefore is the vicious circle in which the male African-American men are said not to be able to protect their wives because of slavery. By moving from the south and with that escaping this accusation, they are said to act driven by weakness. As a result, we have a so-called vicious circle.

That puts Grant in a rift. Either he resists the expectations of the white population and defends his "race“ by staying or he fulfills his dream by moving but simultaneously satisfying them in their image of the Afro-American stereotype.

Summarizing now the term „The inescapable path“ is very much relatable with the novel. Not only the already obvious indication such as Jefferson's situation but also other subliminal characteristics of the book describe that topic very well.