This is a blog for students in Mr. Agostino's period 3 and 6 English 11 classes to use as a forum for meaningful discussion about Ernest J. Gaines's novel A Lesson Before Dying.
NOTE TO RESPONDERS: IF YOU DO NOT CITE PAGE NUMBERS OR PROVIDE SPECIFIC DETAILS FROM THE READING, YOU ARE NOT DOING YOUR JOB. YOUR GRADE FOR THESE ENTRIES WILL REFLECT YOUR FAILURE TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.
''Im not doing any good up there, Vivian," I said.'' Nothing is changing." Something is," she said (pg. 141). I thing that Jefferson is coming to relies that he is not a hog and he is a human being, but i don't think that grant sees any changes in jefferson.
Q.2 I thing Jefferson is giving miss emma such a hard time because he continues to be an unhappy person and he decides to takes his anger out on miss emma. Jefferson doesn't want to get better and emma knows he needs help.
In chapter 19, in the middle of page 148, there is a descriptive paragraph of the little pine tree. I feel that the little pine tree is Jefferson, not the way he is now, but the way Miss Emma wants him to be. “Then he came to the little pine tree: not a great tree – it was not tall, not blessed with great limbs – but it was pine, and it was the most beautiful of all the Christmas trees.” Even though the pine tree has faults, it is still viewed as a beautiful tree. Despite its bad qualities, the tree is still a tree. Even though Jefferson may or may not have committed a crime, he is not a hog but a man. Jefferson is no animal; he is a person, a man.
In chapter 20, page 158, it says, “And on Friday too. Always on Friday. Same time as He died, between 12 and 3. But they can’t take this one’s life too soon after the recognition of His death, because it might upset the sensitive few. It can happen less than 2 weeks later, though, because even the sensitive few will have forgotten about their Savior’s death by then.” In this passage, Grant is showing discontent toward Jefferson’s execution date. As Grant is not a very religious person, he implies that just like people forget their Savior’s death, people will forget Jefferson. Therefore I think that Grant will try to change Jefferson, at least how he views himself, before his upcoming execution, making him be recognized and remembered not as a fool or some stupid animal but as a man.
Summary: I agree with Chris. The thing that may be changing is Jefferson's transition to thinking that he's a hog to seeing that he's a man, however Grant has not seen it yet. Jefferson is giving Miss Emma a hard time because she's not making his situation better. All she does is bring food and she hasn't really done anything to drive his mind away from his execution.
1. The radio has a positive affect on Jefferson and Grant's relationship. As Grant told Tante Lou, "That radio is there to help him not think about death...That radio makes it less painful (182). Although at first Jefferson didn't seem to believe that Grant would get him one, because he did, Jefferson opened his heart a little to Grant. "But I found a way to reach him for the first time. Now, he needs that radio, and he wants it. He wants something of this own before he dies (182).
2. Grant is making the biggest impact on Jefferson's life. In the beginning, Jefferson constantly called himself a hog but now he does not say it anymore. I think it all started with the radio that Grant bought him and Jefferson begins to do the things that Grant asks him to do. "Tell-tell the chirren thank you for the pe-pecans (186). Because Grant allows Jefferson to live with everday things like the radio, books, and eating pecans the children sent, it helped Jefferson open up and be able to say words of gratitude even though it was hard for him to.
In chapter 26, page 210 it says, "There was nothing outside this house that I cared for. Not school, not home, not my aunt, not the quarter, not anything else in the world. I don't know how long I stood there looking out into the darkness - couple of minutes, I suppose - then i went back into the kitchen. I knelt down and buried my face in her lap." Grant had always said that he disliked being a teacher and the place he was. He wants to leave the town he is currently residing in. When he got into a quarrel with Vivian, he realized that she was the one who prevented him from going into darkness. She was his light and his happiness.
In chapter 27, page 215, "'No, you not educated, boy,' he said, shaking his head, 'You far from being educated. You learned your reading, writing, and 'rithmetic, but you don't know nothing. You don't even know yourself." Reverend Ambrose explains to Grant that even though he has learned education from school, he's not educated in terms of religion. The Reverend understands that Grant doesn't believe in a heaven and feels he's lost, however he realizes that Jefferson only listens to Grant. The Reverend wants to help Jefferson go to heaven, so Miss Emma can see him there but because Jefferson doesn't listen to him, he is troubled. Thus the Reverend wants Grant to help him but Grant isn't so easy to convince considering he doesn't believe in the Reverend's words.
In chapter 28, page 220, Jefferson wrote "If I ain't nothing but a hog, how come they just don't knock me in the head like a hog? Starb me like a hog?...Man walk on two foots; hogs on four hoofs." Jefferson realizes that he is not a hog and that he is a man. Men who have committed crimes are given the death penalty not hogs. Also Jefferson has two feet, he walks on two feet, not on four "hoofs." Technically he doesn't even have hoofs. Also on page 225, it says, "I raised my head, and I saw him standing there under the window, big and tall, and not stooped as he had been in chains." Grant sees that Jefferson doesn't consider himself an animal because of the change in Jefferson's appearance compared to the beginning. He is standing straight up, ready to die just like Jesus did, without saying a word.
Q#1. The notebook that grant gave Jefferson was a showing of love that he had for him. The notebook gave jefferson the ability to feel the comfort that grant gives him, without grant being around him in the cell.
Q#2 I thing the fact that he sees himself changing as a person gives him the strength and will to survive. He knows he is not a hog and he is a human. He knows that there are people that actually care about him and he is trying to stay strong.
Summary: The notebook helped Jefferson feel various emotions that he had never felt before. It also was the bond between Jefferson and Grant. Even though he is scared to die because he realizes he is not a hog and is a man, he will stay strong for the people he cares for.
Ch. 20 summary jefferson finds out that he will be dieing the friday after easter.pg 156. The sheriff doesnt think it will be right if he was executed on easter since the state was heavily Catholic populated.
Ch. 24-25 at the mainbow club grant overhears two brick-colored bricklayers talking in the corner.(pg.197-199) At first he pays no attention to them, but as he begins to listen to their conversation. They begin to talk about how jefferson shoud had beed burned a long time ago and jefferson cant take what he is hearing,.Grant gets into a fight with they and is knocked unconscious.
"Between Monday when i talked to Miss Emma, and Friday, when I visited Jefferson again, something had happened inside me, and i wasnt so angry anymore. Maybe it was the Christmas season and the chidlren rehearsing their parts for the play. Or maybe it was just me. I could never stay angry for long over anything> But i could never believe in anything, either, for very long." (125) I think this means that Grant is definitely having a change of heart when it comes to the situation with Miss Emma. He has actually began to try to talk to Jefferson and really get to know him as a person. This is important because it is showing how Grant has changed as a person.
"And under the tree and propped against the tub was one lone gift, wrapped in red paper and tied with a green ribbon and with a red and green bow. The children had contributed nickels, dimes and quarters-money they had made from picking pecans-and Irene, Odessa, and Odeal James had gone to Batan Rouge and bought a wool sweater and a pair of wool socks." (147) I really like this passage because it shows how much the children care. It goes on to say how Grant knows who the package is for, and it is for Jefferson. The children feel bad for him and are doing their best to let Jefferson know that he has their support. In my mind i think that it is a very responsible thing fr them to do.
"I looked away from her for a moment, but when i faced her again, i saw that those eyes had not changed. I told her that I would try, and I stood up and looked around for Vivian. She was standing with one of my students by the door to the kitchen. Vivian was nodding and smiling. " (164) This is important because it mentions Miss Emma's eyes, and eyes have been mentioned before and they seem to represent something important. It also mentions Vivian who becomes important throughout the novel. Grant tells Miss Emma that he is going to try to get through to Jefferson and make him a man, he is skeptical but he still makes her that promise.
"Jefferson's head had been bowed from the moment he sat down. I lowered my eyes." (189) This is important because Jefferson's actions show how he is feeling. He has his head bowed in the presence of Miss Emma, Tante Lou, Reverand Ambrose and Grant because he feels as if he is not up to their standards. Grant feels for Jefferson and he lowers his eyes to show that he can relate to him.
"We were sitting on her bed. There were matching lamos with matching shades on either side of the bed. The shades were pink with little white tassels. A chifforobe was in the room, and there were a soft chait and a dresser. I could see us, me and her , in the mirror above the dresser. I had a wet towel in place. I didnt look too good and i felt even worse." (205) This quote could represent something positive and negative. When Grant looks in the mirror, he sees himself with Vivian which shows the possibility of them as a family (previously mentioned in the book). Also, Grant does not feel good in many ways; physically, as it is mentioned by him holding the towel to his head, and mentally because of his situation with Jefferson. He feels that he has nothing left to do to help him.
"Jefferson was sitting on the bunk, with his hands clasped together. I put the bag beside him on the bunk and sat down. I could hear the radio, on the floor against the wall, playing a sad cowboy song. I saw the notebook and the pencil on the floor, next to the radio. This was my visit since I'd given him the notebook and pencil, and i could see that the lead on the pencil was worn down to the wood. I could also see that he had used the eraser a lot. (219-220) This is important because it shows that Jefferson is capable of being a man and writing down his thoughts and feelings in the notebook that Grant had given him. It also shows Grant that there is a lot more to Jefferson than what he shows when he has visitors, especially Miss Emma. Grant realizes how much Jefferson needed this notebook and he asks to read it and finds out a lot about the real Jefferson.
"This had been discussed and agreed at church last Sunday. Those who were not at church were told what the others had decided, that he, Jefferson, should have all their respect this one day." (247) This is important because it shows that even though JEfferson might not have been liked, he was still respected by everyone in the town. But most importantly he was respected as a man.
In chapter 30, on page 244, "He didn't seem frightened; he appeared tired." Because Jefferson always would dream of his execution when he slept, he didn't sleep at all. Also it would be his last night so he stayed up all night. However when Paul came into his cell, he said that Jefferson did not appear frightened. This displays how Jefferson is determined to face his execution without a hint of fear, proving his strength.
In chapter 31, page 254, Paul told Grant, "When Vincent asked him if he had any last words, he looked at the preacher and said, 'Tell Nannan I walked.' And straight he walked, Grant Wiggins." During Jefferson's execution, the whole town was silent, it was as if the spotlight was only on Jefferson and the whole town, both white and colored only thought about Jefferson who was leaving that day. And the townspeople who saw his execution, saw Jefferson not as a hog like they said he was during trial, but as a man, a hero, a strong soul who will be remembered. As Miss Emma wanted Jefferson to walk like a man to the electric chair, Jefferson did walk like a man and everyone witnessed it.
Ch.27 Reverend talkes to grant.(pg.215)"And educated boy," he said, thumping his chest."Im the one thats educated. I know people like you look down on people like me, but, im the one thats educated". Reverend is saying this to grant after grant tells him that he doesnt beleive in god. Reverend wants grant to help jefferson learn about god, but since grant dosent believ in god he doesnt think it would be right if he help teach him when all he would be doing is lieing to him.
Ch.28 (pg.221)Jefferosn asks grant when easter is and finds out that tomaro is good friday. he relizes that he is close to his death and wants to pray to go to heaven."You think mr.grope went to heaven? You think Brother and Bear went to heaven?" I dont know." Then what im go'n pray for?" Jefferson wants to pray but he he doesnt know what to pray for because he still dosent know it a heaven evan exists.
1. When Vivian says that something is changing on the last line of page 141, what do you think is changing that Grant doesn't see?
ReplyDelete2. Why do you think Jefferson is giving Miss Emma such a hard time even when he should be fully aware that she's worried?
NOTE TO RESPONDERS: IF YOU DO NOT CITE PAGE NUMBERS OR PROVIDE SPECIFIC DETAILS FROM THE READING, YOU ARE NOT DOING YOUR JOB. YOUR GRADE FOR THESE ENTRIES WILL REFLECT YOUR FAILURE TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.
ReplyDelete''Im not doing any good up there, Vivian," I said.'' Nothing is changing." Something is," she said (pg. 141). I thing that Jefferson is coming to relies that he is not a hog and he is a human being, but i don't think that grant sees any changes in jefferson.
ReplyDeleteQ.2
ReplyDeleteI thing Jefferson is giving miss emma such a hard time because he continues to be an unhappy person and he decides to takes his anger out on miss emma. Jefferson doesn't want to get better and emma knows he needs help.
Michelle: You are the next facilitator. Where are your questions?
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 19, in the middle of page 148, there is a descriptive paragraph of the little pine tree. I feel that the little pine tree is Jefferson, not the way he is now, but the way Miss Emma wants him to be. “Then he came to the little pine tree: not a great tree – it was not tall, not blessed with great limbs – but it was pine, and it was the most beautiful of all the Christmas trees.” Even though the pine tree has faults, it is still viewed as a beautiful tree. Despite its bad qualities, the tree is still a tree. Even though Jefferson may or may not have committed a crime, he is not a hog but a man. Jefferson is no animal; he is a person, a man.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 20, page 158, it says, “And on Friday too. Always on Friday. Same time as He died, between 12 and 3. But they can’t take this one’s life too soon after the recognition of His death, because it might upset the sensitive few. It can happen less than 2 weeks later, though, because even the sensitive few will have forgotten about their Savior’s death by then.” In this passage, Grant is showing discontent toward Jefferson’s execution date. As Grant is not a very religious person, he implies that just like people forget their Savior’s death, people will forget Jefferson. Therefore I think that Grant will try to change Jefferson, at least how he views himself, before his upcoming execution, making him be recognized and remembered not as a fool or some stupid animal but as a man.
ReplyDelete1) What affect does the radio that grant gives jefferson have on Grant and Jefferson's relationship?
ReplyDelete2) Who do you thing is making the biggest impact on Jefferson's life so far? How?
Summary:
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chris. The thing that may be changing is Jefferson's transition to thinking that he's a hog to seeing that he's a man, however Grant has not seen it yet. Jefferson is giving Miss Emma a hard time because she's not making his situation better. All she does is bring food and she hasn't really done anything to drive his mind away from his execution.
1. The radio has a positive affect on Jefferson and Grant's relationship. As Grant told Tante Lou, "That radio is there to help him not think about death...That radio makes it less painful (182). Although at first Jefferson didn't seem to believe that Grant would get him one, because he did, Jefferson opened his heart a little to Grant. "But I found a way to reach him for the first time. Now, he needs that radio, and he wants it. He wants something of this own before he dies (182).
ReplyDelete2. Grant is making the biggest impact on Jefferson's life. In the beginning, Jefferson constantly called himself a hog but now he does not say it anymore. I think it all started with the radio that Grant bought him and Jefferson begins to do the things that Grant asks him to do. "Tell-tell the chirren thank you for the pe-pecans (186). Because Grant allows Jefferson to live with everday things like the radio, books, and eating pecans the children sent, it helped Jefferson open up and be able to say words of gratitude even though it was hard for him to.
ReplyDelete1. Do you think that Jefferson will be able to be a hero, proving the white men wrong as Grant wants him to? If so, how?
ReplyDelete2. Why do you think Jefferson was crying?
In chapter 26, page 210 it says, "There was nothing outside this house that I cared for. Not school, not home, not my aunt, not the quarter, not anything else in the world. I don't know how long I stood there looking out into the darkness - couple of minutes, I suppose - then i went back into the kitchen. I knelt down and buried my face in her lap." Grant had always said that he disliked being a teacher and the place he was. He wants to leave the town he is currently residing in. When he got into a quarrel with Vivian, he realized that she was the one who prevented him from going into darkness. She was his light and his happiness.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 27, page 215, "'No, you not educated, boy,' he said, shaking his head, 'You far from being educated. You learned your reading, writing, and 'rithmetic, but you don't know nothing. You don't even know yourself." Reverend Ambrose explains to Grant that even though he has learned education from school, he's not educated in terms of religion. The Reverend understands that Grant doesn't believe in a heaven and feels he's lost, however he realizes that Jefferson only listens to Grant. The Reverend wants to help Jefferson go to heaven, so Miss Emma can see him there but because Jefferson doesn't listen to him, he is troubled. Thus the Reverend wants Grant to help him but Grant isn't so easy to convince considering he doesn't believe in the Reverend's words.
In chapter 28, page 220, Jefferson wrote "If I ain't nothing but a hog, how come they just don't knock me in the head like a hog? Starb me like a hog?...Man walk on two foots; hogs on four hoofs." Jefferson realizes that he is not a hog and that he is a man. Men who have committed crimes are given the death penalty not hogs. Also Jefferson has two feet, he walks on two feet, not on four "hoofs." Technically he doesn't even have hoofs. Also on page 225, it says, "I raised my head, and I saw him standing there under the window, big and tall, and not stooped as he had been in chains." Grant sees that Jefferson doesn't consider himself an animal because of the change in Jefferson's appearance compared to the beginning. He is standing straight up, ready to die just like Jesus did, without saying a word.
ReplyDeleteChapter 29:
ReplyDelete1. How does the notebook that Grant gave Jefferson help him change?
2. Jefferson is scared to die, and he is shaking, but why do you think he writes that he'll stay strong? What drives him to stay strong?
Q#1.
ReplyDeleteThe notebook that grant gave Jefferson was a showing of love that he had for him. The notebook gave jefferson the ability to feel the comfort that grant gives him, without grant being around him in the cell.
Q#2
I thing the fact that he sees himself changing as a person gives him the strength and will to survive. He knows he is not a hog and he is a human. He knows that there are people that actually care about him and he is trying to stay strong.
Summary:
ReplyDeleteThe notebook helped Jefferson feel various emotions that he had never felt before. It also was the bond between Jefferson and Grant. Even though he is scared to die because he realizes he is not a hog and is a man, he will stay strong for the people he cares for.
Ch. 20 summary
ReplyDeletejefferson finds out that he will be dieing the friday after easter.pg 156. The sheriff doesnt think it will be right if he was executed on easter since the state was heavily Catholic populated.
Ch. 24-25
ReplyDeleteat the mainbow club grant overhears two brick-colored bricklayers talking in the corner.(pg.197-199) At first he pays no attention to them, but as he begins to listen to their conversation. They begin to talk about how jefferson shoud had beed burned a long time ago and jefferson cant take what he is hearing,.Grant gets into a fight with they and is knocked unconscious.
"Between Monday when i talked to Miss Emma, and Friday, when I visited Jefferson again, something had happened inside me, and i wasnt so angry anymore. Maybe it was the Christmas season and the chidlren rehearsing their parts for the play. Or maybe it was just me. I could never stay angry for long over anything> But i could never believe in anything, either, for very long." (125)
ReplyDeleteI think this means that Grant is definitely having a change of heart when it comes to the situation with Miss Emma. He has actually began to try to talk to Jefferson and really get to know him as a person. This is important because it is showing how Grant has changed as a person.
"And under the tree and propped against the tub was one lone gift, wrapped in red paper and tied with a green ribbon and with a red and green bow. The children had contributed nickels, dimes and quarters-money they had made from picking pecans-and Irene, Odessa, and Odeal James had gone to Batan Rouge and bought a wool sweater and a pair of wool socks." (147)
ReplyDeleteI really like this passage because it shows how much the children care. It goes on to say how Grant knows who the package is for, and it is for Jefferson. The children feel bad for him and are doing their best to let Jefferson know that he has their support. In my mind i think that it is a very responsible thing fr them to do.
"I looked away from her for a moment, but when i faced her again, i saw that those eyes had not changed. I told her that I would try, and I stood up and looked around for Vivian. She was standing with one of my students by the door to the kitchen. Vivian was nodding and smiling. " (164)
ReplyDeleteThis is important because it mentions Miss Emma's eyes, and eyes have been mentioned before and they seem to represent something important. It also mentions Vivian who becomes important throughout the novel. Grant tells Miss Emma that he is going to try to get through to Jefferson and make him a man, he is skeptical but he still makes her that promise.
"Jefferson's head had been bowed from the moment he sat down. I lowered my eyes." (189)
ReplyDeleteThis is important because Jefferson's actions show how he is feeling. He has his head bowed in the presence of Miss Emma, Tante Lou, Reverand Ambrose and Grant because he feels as if he is not up to their standards. Grant feels for Jefferson and he lowers his eyes to show that he can relate to him.
"We were sitting on her bed. There were matching lamos with matching shades on either side of the bed. The shades were pink with little white tassels. A chifforobe was in the room, and there were a soft chait and a dresser. I could see us, me and her , in the mirror above the dresser. I had a wet towel in place. I didnt look too good and i felt even worse." (205)
ReplyDeleteThis quote could represent something positive and negative. When Grant looks in the mirror, he sees himself with Vivian which shows the possibility of them as a family (previously mentioned in the book). Also, Grant does not feel good in many ways; physically, as it is mentioned by him holding the towel to his head, and mentally because of his situation with Jefferson. He feels that he has nothing left to do to help him.
"Jefferson was sitting on the bunk, with his hands clasped together. I put the bag beside him on the bunk and sat down. I could hear the radio, on the floor against the wall, playing a sad cowboy song. I saw the notebook and the pencil on the floor, next to the radio. This was my visit since I'd given him the notebook and pencil, and i could see that the lead on the pencil was worn down to the wood. I could also see that he had used the eraser a lot. (219-220)
ReplyDeleteThis is important because it shows that Jefferson is capable of being a man and writing down his thoughts and feelings in the notebook that Grant had given him. It also shows Grant that there is a lot more to Jefferson than what he shows when he has visitors, especially Miss Emma. Grant realizes how much Jefferson needed this notebook and he asks to read it and finds out a lot about the real Jefferson.
"This had been discussed and agreed at church last Sunday. Those who were not at church were told what the others had decided, that he, Jefferson, should have all their respect this one day." (247)
ReplyDeleteThis is important because it shows that even though JEfferson might not have been liked, he was still respected by everyone in the town. But most importantly he was respected as a man.
In chapter 30, on page 244, "He didn't seem frightened; he appeared tired." Because Jefferson always would dream of his execution when he slept, he didn't sleep at all. Also it would be his last night so he stayed up all night. However when Paul came into his cell, he said that Jefferson did not appear frightened. This displays how Jefferson is determined to face his execution without a hint of fear, proving his strength.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 31, page 254, Paul told Grant, "When Vincent asked him if he had any last words, he looked at the preacher and said, 'Tell Nannan I walked.' And straight he walked, Grant Wiggins." During Jefferson's execution, the whole town was silent, it was as if the spotlight was only on Jefferson and the whole town, both white and colored only thought about Jefferson who was leaving that day. And the townspeople who saw his execution, saw Jefferson not as a hog like they said he was during trial, but as a man, a hero, a strong soul who will be remembered. As Miss Emma wanted Jefferson to walk like a man to the electric chair, Jefferson did walk like a man and everyone witnessed it.
Ch.27
ReplyDeleteReverend talkes to grant.(pg.215)"And educated boy," he said, thumping his chest."Im the one thats educated. I know people like you look down on people like me, but, im the one thats educated". Reverend is saying this to grant after grant tells him that he doesnt beleive in god. Reverend wants grant to help jefferson learn about god, but since grant dosent believ in god he doesnt think it would be right if he help teach him when all he would be doing is lieing to him.
Ch.28
ReplyDelete(pg.221)Jefferosn asks grant when easter is and finds out that tomaro is good friday. he relizes that he is close to his death and wants to pray to go to heaven."You think mr.grope went to heaven? You think Brother and Bear went to heaven?" I dont know." Then what im go'n pray for?" Jefferson wants to pray but he he doesnt know what to pray for because he still dosent know it a heaven evan exists.