A Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J.

Gaines PG/Line Pg 7 Chapter Chapter 1

Cristian Rodriguez March 21, 2013 What the Book Says I would call it a boy and a fool. A fool is not aware of right and wrong. A fool does what others tell him to do so. What I say

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Chapter 2

Jefferson, sentenced to death for a crime he did not fully commit, was dehumanized by a prosecutor during trial. The prosecutor took advantage of the males present status in society, separate but equal and was able to convince the judge to penalize Jefferson. And I teach what the Mr. Grant, an white folks around here elementary school tell me to teachteacher, complains how reading, writing, and he is still subjugated to rithmetic. white supremacy although slavery had ended. This new segregated society did little to improve their social status. I stopped at the side of Henry Pichots large white and gray antebellum house. In context, the word antebellum is commonly used to describe a pre-war event like before the American Revolution, the Boston Massacre. I can infer that this setting is the base/roots of most of the conflict presented in the novel. In a segregated society, African Americans faced lots of limitations and humiliations. Mr. Grant is in total opposition of this separate but equal society and believes it is not worthy to live at. It is why Mr. Grant run away with Vivian.

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Chapter 3

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Chapter 4

Commitment to whatto live and die in this hellhole, when we can leave and live like other people?

A Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines Pg 34 Chapter 5

Cristian Rodriguez March 21, 2013 My classroom was the church.This was my school. Mr. Grant seemed indifferent that his school was a church, as if he had little respect towards God. It is like he does not believe in him or has some resentment towards God for something in the past. After the trial against Jefferson, when he was dehumanized, Mr. Grant himself started to doubt that he will change. He found no purpose, no reward fordoing so because all of what he thought of was his own self. The superintendent of the school district lied when he said that the children and schools were treated the same. It was during this time when African Americans were protesting against the separate but equal society. White people disliked educated African American, reasons for such dislike went back in time when this group of people served the Whites as slaves and nothing else. They woke up working and they slept working.

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Chapter 6

Make a him a man for what? To die with some dignity, I suppose.

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Chapter 7

I said were all in the same shape, Higgins, the white schools just as much as the colored schools. We take what the state gives us, and we make the best out of it.

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Chapter 8

And when he saw that I wanted to learn, he hated me even more than he did the others, because I challenged him when the others did not.

A Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines Pg 69 Chapter 9

Cristian Rodriguez March 21, 2013 A statue of a confederate soldier stood to the right of the walk that led up to the courthouse door. A Confederate soldier is a symbol of white superiority in the South, during slavery. This can be a factor in why Jefferson was punished with the death penalty. The task Mr. Grant took was not easy. Mr. Grant will be exposed to different conflicts. Although this seemed as an obstacle, he had to overcome them if he wanted to be successful. Even though Mr. Grant wanted to help Jefferson change, he would be obstinate in not doing so. He let society put him down.

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Chapter 10

Im sorry Mr. Grant, Im helping them white people humiliate to humiliate you.

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Chapter 11

His expression remained the samecynical, defiant, and painful.

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Chapter 12

Could God let it happen again?

Interesting how people involve God in their conflicts as if God was one to blame for. It demonstrates that people are not selfreliant and coward themselves as various conflicts emerge.

A Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines

Cristian Rodriguez March 21, 2013

A Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines Pg 102 Chapter 13

Cristian Rodriguez March 21, 2013 It seemed that I had listened to this singing, and their praying, every Sunday of my life. Going to church seemed an every day thing for an African American, as if thats how their lives were meant to be.

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Chapter 14

Sunday is the saddest day of the week

Can make reference to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Also, one can imply a sad event besides Jesus occurred to the protagonist and has marked them.

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Chapter 15

Youre a lady of quality. Quality aint cheap

In this scenario, Vivian was proven a true women based on her work at home. Women still did not have the same opportunities men did and be considered women if they succeeded in society. Mr. Grant kept trying to convince Jefferson that he is not a hog. However, he has been brainwash and is not willing to change. But Mr. Grants persistence demonstrates that people can change after all.

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Chapter 16

You aint a hog, you hear me? You aint a hog.

A Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines Pg 127 Chapter 17

Cristian Rodriguez March 21, 2013 Well, well, well ,well, if aint Mr. Rockefeller, one of the prisoners said. Prisoners called Mr. Grant Mr. Rockefeller owner of U.S oil. This proves that African Americans can become professionals and prove wrong the stereotypes of society. Jeffersons encarcelment made him feel and express himself different from the people who have freedom and are not restricted in their lives.

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Chapter 18

Thats for youmans, he said. I aint no youmans.

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Chapter 19

no matter how educated a man was (he meant me, though he didnt call my name), he, too, was locked in a cold, dark cell of ignorance if he did not know God in the pardon of his sins. But just remember, keep it down. I dont want you aggravating him. Hes got just over a month

The statement demonstrates how the people were hypocritical. One person will accuse another of a fault when they practice the same.

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Chapter 20

The sheriff seems to care about Jeffersons situation. Yet, in reality, he wanted to get rid of him because he was black accussed of the murder of several white males.

A Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines Pg 165 Chapter 21

Cristian Rodriguez March 21, 2013 I think she is in love with you, Vivian said suddenly, as though she had been holding this for a while. Vivians statement expresses jealously. She indeed loves her man and would not allow someone else to love him.

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Chapter 22

He shook his head again. Then he just lay there staring up the ceiling while I stood watching him.

Jefferson in a time of crisis felt isolated, alone. His world was soon coming to an end and did not know what to do.

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Chapter 23

Do you believe Im your friend, Jefferson?

Grant, despite the fact that he managed to make Jefferson talk also wanted to be friends. This demonstrates how Jefferson began to confide in someone after a real long time. The males response still demonstrated that he is still stubborn and indifferent. He would not change for anything, even when he faces moments of crisis.

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Chapter 24

Whether or not he was listening, I dont know; but all I was thinking about was the gumbo getting cold.

A Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines Pg 198 Chapter 25 Dumb as hell, but prejudice as hell.

Cristian Rodriguez March 21, 2013 Altered by societys reaction to the court case, he referred them as dumb as hell. The quote demonstrates thte prejudice is an ignorant thing to do.

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Chapter 26

Sure, thats the easy way -out leave.

His decision was not the most adequate thing to do upon the eyes of Vivian. She refers to it as something coward.

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Chapter 27

I ask you, You ever think of anybody but yourself?

People began to confess to Grant that he was selfish. Although he began to change, his change has not been evident to many.

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Chapter 28

You think I am going to heaven? he asked.

Religion throughout the novel has been set aside. Now, it seems as if religion can be factor in changing the thoughts and actions of Jefferson before dying.

Chapter 29

ever sens I wasn

Jefferson remembers

A Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines

Cristian Rodriguez March 21, 2013 nothing but a little boy I been on my haulin water to the fiel on that ol water his days when he was at the field as a slave. During this time, the African Americans ad obtained some rights tough there was still certain racial inequality. The sheriff was starting to change his view of the execution of Jefferson. He began to feel some guilt because Jefferson was a man who deserved the right to live.

Chapter 30

This was the first time he was in charge of an execution, and he was praying that everything will go well.

Chapter 31

But tell them he was the bravest man in that room today.

Even though Jefferson died, he died with honor. At the end, he changed and prove the people wrong, that he would die as a hog and not a man. When he presented himself upon the electric chair, he was calm.