A Lesson Before Dying Conflict Essay
Racial inequality is a major source of conflict historically and presently in society. In Ernest J. Gaines', A Lesson Before Dying, he focuses on the racial divide of 1940s America. Set in a small Cajun community, Gaines' narrative highlights the vicious cycles of poverty and racism, documents the change in character Jefferson and his eventual embodiment of a hero figure, and relays the harsh racial tension Gaines noted in society.
Historically it was not uncommon for African Americans to be convicted of crimes they did not commit. In Gaines' novel this fact is the basis of the plot. Jefferson a young black man is convicted of murder and charge with the death penalty. Just before conviction Jefferson's own lawyer stated, "Why I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this" (8), setting the racially tense undertone of the narrative and the basis of the main conflict to impart some pride upon Jefferson when he is sent to his death. The duty to "make him a man" falls upon Professor Grant Wiggins whom visits Jefferson at the jail. Jefferson begins to document the changes in his own character through writing and notes "good by mr wigin tell them I'm a man good by mr wigin" (232) towards the conclusion of the novel. This change in Jefferson's character is noted and treasured by the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...When analyzing the main conflict of the novel, "racism", Gaines is trying to promote his larger message of promoting education and racial equality and the struggles of poverty historically. This is reflected in the society of his novel. He symbolizes the progress he is seeing by using police Paul and Grant's friendship which can be fully appreciated in Paul's admission of friendship when he states " Allow me to be your friend, Grant Wiggins. I don't ever want to forget this day. I don't ever want to forget him"
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