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    Literature Companion: A Lesson Before Dying
    Literature Companion: A Lesson Before Dying
    Literature Companion: A Lesson Before Dying
    Ebook46 pages35 minutes

    Literature Companion: A Lesson Before Dying

    By History World

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    About this ebook

    The story of the novel is set ten years before the Civil Rights Movement began. It is set in the year 1948. The African-Americans had to face a lot of problems during this period but they had their own successes as well, but the dramatic events of the Civil Rights Movement overshadowed all that. However, there were several important events during that period and they became a kind of foundation for the future developments.

    When the novel was first published, it was very well received and there was a lot of praise from all circles. According to the New York Times “A Lesson Before Dying” is a very moving and truthful novel.

    Literature Companion: A Lesson Before Dying
    Copyright
    Chapter One: Introduction
    Chapter Two: Plot Overview
    Chapter Three: Point of View and Setting
    Chapter Four: Characters
    Miss Emma
    Chapter Five: Summary of the Novel
    Chapter Six: Critical Analysis

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRaja Sharma
    Release dateAug 25, 2014
    ISBN9781310850967
    Literature Companion: A Lesson Before Dying

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      Book preview

      Literature Companion - History World

      Literature Companion: A Lesson Before Dying

      History World

      Copyright

      Literature Companion: A Lesson Before Dying

      History World

      Copyright@2014 History World

      Smashwords Edition

      All rights reserved

      Chapter One: Introduction

      A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines’ was first published in 1993. It was the author’s eighth published book. It is said to be his most autobiographical novel.

      Gaines’ is said to have grown up in Oscar, Louisiana. Going through the book, it becomes obvious that several aspects of the book have been taken from the author’s personal experiences. The plantation school where Grant Wiggins is a teacher is based on the real school, the elementary school, which Gaines went to as a child.

      Likewise, the fictional town in the novel is based on the hometown of the author. This same fictional town is also the setting for many of his other novels.

      The story of the novel is set ten years before the Civil Rights Movement began. It is set in the year 1948. The African-Americans had to face a lot of problems during this period but they had their own successes as well, but the dramatic events of the Civil Rights Movement overshadowed all that. However, there were several important events during that period and they became a kind of foundation for the future developments.

      When the novel was first published, it was very well received and there was a lot of praise from all circles. According to the New York Times A Lesson Before Dying is a very moving and truthful novel.

      The book brought the author both name and fame. Gaines was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for the second time. The book was eventually recognized in American fiction after four years of its publication.

      Oprah Book Club adopted the novel in the year 1997 and it soon became a national bestseller.

      The story of the novel has also been adapted into a television movie. It is regularly used in book clubs and English courses not only in the United States but also in most of the English speaking countries.

      Chapter Two: Plot Overview

      At the beginning of the story a murder takes place. Mr. Grope is killed by two black men. An innocent man named Jefferson happens to be standing close to the crime scene. He is charged with the murder, and consequently convicted. In the court of law Jefferson is sentenced to death.

      During the trial, Jefferson’s attorney makes a very emotional appeal to the jury. He asks what justice would there be to take Jefferson’s life. He asks whether it would be justice. He adds that he would soon put a hog in the electric chair as that.

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