Monica Diaz-Jimenez
Professor D.A. Broadus
25 April 2012
Jefferson, a man with an unfair conviction has a
meaningful purpose in the novel, A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J.
Gaines.
He was a young black man who lived in Louisiana, who spent most of his days on
the planation. He struggled on a daily basis to
obtain basic necessities. His low income made it
hard for him to live a decent lifestyle.
It was impossible to be proven innocent after being accused of murder,
ultimately because he lived in a segregated community. In the 1940’s,
white individuals were seen with a superior image.
The black society was looked down upon and never had the respect a human should
receive.
Thus,
one can inspect Jefferson’s character and identify the symbolic significance he
has in this novel, to signify positive change.
Ernest J. Gaines starts
his literature with a direct illustration, explaining Jefferson’s incident in
the store that quickly caused him to be sitting in a court room chair.
In a racist community Jefferson was not given the opportunity to be proven
innocent with evidence. His defense filtered
him with insulting statements. “Do you see anyone here who could plan a murder,
a robbery, can plan-can plan- can plan anything? A cornered animal to strike out
of fear, a trait inherited from his ancestors in the deepest jungle of blackest
Africa- yes, yes, that he can do- but to plan?”(Gaines7).
Thus, he is questioning and downgrading his capability of even having the
significant amount of intelligence to plan a crime.
One can conclude that black individuals in this era were treated like worthless
humans.
“What
justice would there be to take this life? Justice, gentlemen? Why, I would just
as soon put a hog in this electric chair as this” (Gaines 8).
Beyond
doubt, countless whites have the certainty that blacks are beasts.
Creatures who do not deserve any sort of sympathy.
For this reason, Jefferson’s character is shaped with despair, ignorance,
shame, and completely goes along with being called a hog.
After he is convicted
with murder and sentenced to death, he walks into that cell acting exactly like
a hog.
When
critically analyzing Jefferson’s behavior in the beginning of the novel, it is
crucial that one looks beyond the surface. Living
in a society that enforced blacks and whites to live in separate neighborhoods
caused a man like Jefferson to realize that there is no hope.
His
strive to fight for his innocence was never apparent.
He simply went along with what white individuals saw him as, a hog.
The trial is just the start of the many obstacles that he faces.
In continuation with the novel, a man of the name Grant
Wiggins is forced to help Jefferson.
Grant is a black man with an educational background that teaches in an
elementary school. He is lured into
helping him die with dignity. Although he
doesn’t think he is capable of helping a man of his state of mind, he still
agrees to help him die like a true man.
As mentioned, Jefferson feels powerless in a society that is dominated with
white individuals which causes him to accept being sentenced to die in the
electric chair. Thus, Grant is discouraged and
doesn’t feel capable of helping him when recognizing that Jefferson cannot face
his own life. But Jefferson’s perspective on
life is understandable. Racism destroys
individuals completely. It is hard to prevail
in a society filled with negativity towards the black community.
Jefferson spent his days in the cell acting like the
creature they accused of being, a hog.
For instance, Grant took him a bag of food on one of his visits and Jefferson
definitely did not act like himself.
“He knelt down on the floor and put his head inside the bag and started eating,
without using his hand. He even sounded like a
hog.”(Gaines
83).
In
other words, Jefferson had completely lost meaning to life.
His
lawyer downgraded his humanity and it caused him to lose sight of the
individual he once was. This demonstrates how
racism can destroy an individual.
Although as the reader, one may be confused of why Jefferson chooses to go along
with being called a hog. Because it would be
more common for a man to stand up for himself and defend the man he was
destined be. But realistically, when living in
a society with absolutely no remorse to treat an individual with dark
complexions in an unfair manner, it won’t be long until the person starts
believing what they are being told.
Reflecting back into the time frame, Louisiana was
dealing with many changes in the 1940’s.
For instance, segregation in schools was one of many issues society dealt with.
Although slavery had already ended, racism still took over Louisiana.
Thus
Jefferson was exposed in a time period where there wasn’t any sight of change.
For
instance, “Pronounced racial bias in teacher pay and woefully inadequate schools
for black children reinforced the deeply rooted black poverty in the state”
(Brown1).
This evidence indicates an example of the concerns that the black community
dealt with. It is safe to assume that white
individuals believe they are superior to other races, specifically blacks.
In
addition, justice did not exist in a court room in Louisiana.
“The point with both the death penalty and torture is not whether there are
people who deserve to be tortured or put to death, but whether the society is
willing to engage in such practices” (Bright370).
In other words, if an individual deserves to be punished the society would either
way have an influence on the decision of a judge.
Clearly, the humanity had a major impact on Jefferson’s case, making him lose
self-worth.
Being convicted for a
crime that he did not commit destroyed his every hope to fight for his life.
“Jefferson in front, shackled, walking with short steps, his head bowed, and
his shoulders stooped” (Gaines137). As
has been noted, his body language is a clear factor of how he felt.
To
further explain, “The mind has the ability to produce chemical changes in the
body and alter the state of our body” (MindHacks1).
Thus,
through Jefferson’s movements it was clear what he was going through.
All the judgments people were portraying to him began to affect his ability to
think positively. He was held captive
not only physically but emotionally as well.
As
Jefferson continues living in the cell, his date of execution is set.
With
only a little over a month of existence he is still an emotional wreck.
Helping him turn into a dignified man continues to be applied by Grant.
Surprisingly,
Jefferson seems to have made some progress. “I want me a whole gallon of ice
cream” (Gaines170). Announcing his desire
for a gallon of ice cream, shows a human characteristic that he hadn’t been
showing since they had held him captive. He
explained to Grant that he was never able to obtain more than a nickel cone of
ice cream. Thus, the fact that he is asking
for a whole gallon, signifies that he feels worthy.
Grant
tells Jefferson, “To them you are
nothing but another nigger- no dignity, no heart, no love for your people.
You can prove them wrong” (Gaines192).
At this very moment, Jefferson has a deep impact of the words that Grant is saying.
Uncovering meaning to the words that were being said, he began to cry.
Perhaps
he realized that things often occur for a reason.
Despite the unfair justice he is a symbol of change.
To differentiate, further into the novel Jefferson begins
to comprehend what Grant is trying to expose.
Soon after, the tables turn and Jefferson is the one inspiring Grant.
His perspective and evaluation on life impacted Grants life as well.
During
the course of his days that he spent in the cell, Grant had given him a
notebook and a pencil. And quickly it became his
diary.
Writing
his daily thoughts helped him figure out what life is about, the significance
of being a black individual in white dominated society.
He
realizes that although half of the community sees him as a black murderer, he
is still has the assets of a respectable human being.
His diary states, “I cry cause you been so good to me mr wiggin an nobody aint
never been that good to me an make me think im sombody” (Gaines232).
Remarkably after living his whole life in society that downgraded him, it had
to take an unjust conviction to make him realize that he isn’t just a thing
walking around, he is an actual human being with the ability to obtain dignity.
He
recognized he became an important individual in his community.
Jefferson
became a strong man who held no grudge towards the individuals who prosecuted
him.
His last words in his diary stated, “good by mr wigin tell them im strong tell
them im a man a man good by mr wigin” (Gaines 234). These words are significant
because one can uncover his redemption in death.
He found purpose in his life, which was to give his community a purpose to keep
moving forward. Despite all the negative
accusations towards black citizens, he was determined to die like a man and
show the superior individuals that their thoughts of him did not matter.
His
final day on earth came, and he was stronger than any of the men around him.
All
in all, A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, clearly elaborates the
difficult times an African American faced in the 1940’s.
Jefferson is an influential character in this novel.
He represents the struggle African Americans dealt with every day.
Although
he lapsed into an individual with absolutely no self-respect, he soon
recognized that he had to transform his attitude.
Before his death he knew he wanted to be a powerful symbol for his heritage.
Jefferson transformed into an honorable man.
In simpler terms, Jefferson dies as a worthy person that signifies braveness.
This novel would not have the same impact if it were not for his existence and
transformation.
Work Cited
Bright,
B. Stephen. The Death Penalty and the
Society We Want. Web. <http://www.schr.org/files/steve_dp_society_want.pdf>.
Brown, Nikki. "A. P. Tureaud." -
Encyclopedia of Louisiana. 7 Apr. 2010. Web.
<http://www.knowla.org/entry.php?rec=743>.
Gaines, Ernest J. A Lesson before Dying. New York:
A. A. Knopf, 1993. Print.
"MindHacks.Org." » Blog Archive » Mind
Body Connection And Your Well Being. 6 July
2011.
Web.
<http://mindhacks.org/mind-body-connection-and-your-well-being/387/>.
