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.
1. I think that Jefferson may act a little differently now that he is out of his cell. He isn't as confined as he is in the cell even though he is in shackles. The shackles also could be symbolic of slavery.
2. I think eventually Jefferson will listen to Grant when he sees how much he is hurting Tante Lou and Miss Emma. Also, if he sees that many people like Reverend Ambrose are also trying to help him, he may start to change.
1) No, I don't believe it will. Jefferson is in a mind set that is extremely hard to get out of. That being said I think that grant will be able to change Jefferson's personality. But to answer the question no, the "Day Room" will not have an affect on Jefferson.
2) To an extent he is. It is not and easy change to see however Jefferson has opened up a little. Im am not sure he has changed more into a man, but he certainly has opened up more to Grant.
NOTE TO RESPONDERS: IF YOU DO NOT CITE PAGE NUMBERS OR PROVIDE SPECIFIC DETAILS FROM THE READING, YOU ARE NOT DOING YOUR JOB.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.
1) Will Jefferson act different now that an execution date has been set? Do you feel he will act more harshly towards Grant or not? Explain.
2) Do you feel the weather that is being described in the beginning chapter 19 was purposely put there by Gaines (author), or was it just coincidence he put it in? Do you think he meant to relate the weather to the mood of the book?
1)I think that Jefferson's attitude will change because he is already convinced that he will die, but he doesn't know when it's going to happen. Now, he knows when he will die which will really mess with his mind and cause him to become paranoid.
2) I think that it could be symbollic because rain and the cold are usually assosciated with sadness, depression and death.
1) I think that now since Jefferson knows when he is going to die he can somewhat relax. I also think that the whole "gallon of ice cream" (pg 170) gives him something to actually look forward to.
2) I think Vivian is somehow jealous of Irene and her "big brown cow eyes". Or Vivian is just trying to test how Grant feels about other people besides her.
1) Jefferson's attitude has changed because he has no worries anymore. To go along with what Sam said, Jefferson is now much more comfortable around Grant. He may of also realized that Grant is not going away so it is no use trying to act stubborn to make him leave.
2) Vivian is jealous. Just as any other woman would be if the person she loved was being seduced by another person. She is worried because she doesnt want to lose Grant.
1. Do you think that having more materialistic things to look forward to (ice cream, radio, etc.) has reminded Jefferson that he is not a hog?
2. Why do you think that Jefferson got so worked up over the comments the two men were making in the rainbow club in the middle of chapter 25? Would he have been as likely to get in a fight in the beginning of visiting with Jefferson?
1) I think now that Jefferson has material objects, his mind will be focused on those things instead of being called a hog. Also, he probably feels more like a man now that he has things that men have.
2) I think that Grant got so mad at the men in the bar because he is finally getting through to jefferson, but other people still think he is an animal. Also, Grant is sort of becoming friends with Jefferson and he feels defensive of Jefferson. If this happened in the beginning of the book, I think that Grant wouldn't have done anything, especially fight the men.
1) Yes, these items have showed Jefferson that he is not a hog because if he truly was people would not care about him, thus giving him gifts. I also think the objects have reminded him of the good times he had in his childhood, when he had not worries and was care free.
2) Grant got mad at the men because he was tired of being looked down by mulattos, and he has real feelings for Jefferson. in the beginning of the novel he may of acted in the same way but it would of been for the first reason I stated.
1) I do think that Vivian has made Grant realize that he has been selfish because after they fight in chapter 26, Grant realizes that all he has really cared about has been Vivian.
2)I think Grant might think less of himself since he has learned that Tante Lou has worked so hard to get him to college and he might become more appreciative towards the members of his life.
1) I think that Grant finally realized what he cares the most about, Vivian. I definitely think that he will be a better man towards her because he realized how important she is in his life.
2) I think that Grant is starting to realize that other people really care about him and have sacrificed things for him, especially Tante Lou. I think that he will start to be less selfish and start to care more about the people who care about him.
1) Why do you think the author decided to put a journal entry of jefferson's in the book so close to the end?
2) Why do you think that jefferson didn't ask to see Grant on more time and tell him that he's a man, not a hog? Why did he write it in his journal and make Paul give it to Grant?
1)I feel that the journal was put in the book to give the reader a better understanding of him. It showed that he is uneducated, and it also showed how he progressed from and animal to a real man with self respect and pride.
2)I think that Jefferson felt that Grant has done all he can do for him. I also think that he feels he would get to emotional if Jefferson saw Grant.
1) I believe that the author did this so that the reader could see different perspectives of people in the novel. he made it so people could see how people thought about Jefferson. for example some people felt he was bad, and some felt sorry for him.
2) To an extent. i feel he was happy that he did a good job makeing jefferson feel like a man but i think he was sorry that he was not at the courthouse with him.
1) I think he did this to show how many people cared about jefferson and also to show how people felt about him. It also showed that the white people in the community didn't care as much as the African Americans in the community.
2)I think that Grant felt good about making jefferson feel like a man, but I think he was sad that he wasn't at the execution.
Chapter 28: In this chapter of the book Grant goes to visit Jefferson. Grant looks in the notebook he gave Jefferson, and sees that Jefferson did do some writing. In the notebook it says "Man walk on two foots; hogs on four hoofs" (220) this shows how Jefferson has grown. Later Jefferson asks Grant about religion and what Reverend Ambrose told him. Grant seems to try to avoid Jefferson's questions about religion until Jefferson offers him a "tato" (225) which ends the Chapter.
In these chapters Grant's students put on a Christmas play for the parents and families in their community. In chapter 19, Grant explains how he is not happy, "She was right; i was not happy. I had heard the same carols all my life, seen the same little play, with the same mistakes in grammar."(151) This also suggests that Grant has not seen a change in the children he teaches because they always have the same mistakes. In chapter 20, Grant and Reverend Ambrose go to the Sheriff's house to find out that Jefferson's death will be April eighth. "They sentence you to death because you were at the wrong place at the wrong time, with no proof at all that you had anything to do with the crime other than being there when it happened." (158) this shows that the sheriff doesn't care about what proof they could have in order to get Jefferson to be innocent, and that the date was convenient for other people not Jefferson.
Grant goes to visit Jefferson and Jefferson allows Grant read his little notebook with his thoughts in it. Jefferson and Grant also talk about heaven. "You think I'm going to heaven?" (Jefferson asked) "i don't know" "You think Mr. Grope went to heaven? You think Brother and Bear went to Heaven?" "I don't know" "Then what am i gon pray for?"
This suggests that Jefferson does not have strong faith in god in that he doesn't know what he should pray for.
This chapter is taken up by Jefferson's letter to Grant. Jefferson explains how confused he is about god and if the lord really loves him. "It look like the lord just work for white folks cuz ever sens i was nothin but a little boy ive been on my on haulin water to the fiel on that ol water cart with all them dime buckets..."
This shows that Jefferson thinks that he doesn't know if the lord really loves him or if the lord only "works" for the white people.
1. Do you think it will make a difference if Jefferson, Miss Emma, Reverend Ambrose, and Grant meet in the "day room" rather than in Jefferson's cell?
ReplyDelete2. Do you think Grant is getting to Jefferson at all? or should he just stop trying at this point.
1. I think that Jefferson may act a little differently now that he is out of his cell. He isn't as confined as he is in the cell even though he is in shackles. The shackles also could be symbolic of slavery.
ReplyDelete2. I think eventually Jefferson will listen to Grant when he sees how much he is hurting Tante Lou and Miss Emma. Also, if he sees that many people like Reverend Ambrose are also trying to help him, he may start to change.
1) No, I don't believe it will. Jefferson is in a mind set that is extremely hard to get out of. That being said I think that grant will be able to change Jefferson's personality. But to answer the question no, the "Day Room" will not have an affect on Jefferson.
ReplyDelete2) To an extent he is. It is not and easy change to see however Jefferson has opened up a little. Im am not sure he has changed more into a man, but he certainly has opened up more to Grant.
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.
ReplyDelete1) Will Jefferson act different now that an execution date has been set? Do you feel he will act more harshly towards Grant or not? Explain.
ReplyDelete2) Do you feel the weather that is being described in the beginning chapter 19 was purposely put there by Gaines (author), or was it just coincidence he put it in? Do you think he meant to relate the weather to the mood of the book?
1)I think that Jefferson's attitude will change because he is already convinced that he will die, but he doesn't know when it's going to happen. Now, he knows when he will die which will really mess with his mind and cause him to become paranoid.
ReplyDelete2) I think that it could be symbollic because rain and the cold are usually assosciated with sadness, depression and death.
(I can't really cite these questions)
1) Why do you think that Jefferson's attitude has completely changed and he seems happy now?
ReplyDelete2) Why do you think Vivian makes such a big deal about Irene on pages 165 and 166? Why is she so worried?
1) I think that now since Jefferson knows when he is going to die he can somewhat relax. I also think that the whole "gallon of ice cream" (pg 170) gives him something to actually look forward to.
ReplyDelete2) I think Vivian is somehow jealous of Irene and her "big brown cow eyes". Or Vivian is just trying to test how Grant feels about other people besides her.
1) Jefferson's attitude has changed because he has no worries anymore. To go along with what Sam said, Jefferson is now much more comfortable around Grant. He may of also realized that Grant is not going away so it is no use trying to act stubborn to make him leave.
ReplyDelete2) Vivian is jealous. Just as any other woman would be if the person she loved was being seduced by another person. She is worried because she doesnt want to lose Grant.
1. Do you think that having more materialistic things to look forward to (ice cream, radio, etc.) has reminded Jefferson that he is not a hog?
ReplyDelete2. Why do you think that Jefferson got so worked up over the comments the two men were making in the rainbow club in the middle of chapter 25? Would he have been as likely to get in a fight in the beginning of visiting with Jefferson?
1) I think now that Jefferson has material objects, his mind will be focused on those things instead of being called a hog. Also, he probably feels more like a man now that he has things that men have.
ReplyDelete2) I think that Grant got so mad at the men in the bar because he is finally getting through to jefferson, but other people still think he is an animal. Also, Grant is sort of becoming friends with Jefferson and he feels defensive of Jefferson. If this happened in the beginning of the book, I think that Grant wouldn't have done anything, especially fight the men.
1) Yes, these items have showed Jefferson that he is not a hog because if he truly was people would not care about him, thus giving him gifts. I also think the objects have reminded him of the good times he had in his childhood, when he had not worries and was care free.
ReplyDelete2) Grant got mad at the men because he was tired of being looked down by mulattos, and he has real feelings for Jefferson. in the beginning of the novel he may of acted in the same way but it would of been for the first reason I stated.
1) Do you think that Grant realized once and for all that he needs Vivian in chapter 26? Do you think that he will change and be a better man to her?
ReplyDelete2) Is learning about Tante Luo the "last straw" in terms of Grant caring about himself? Will he begin to really think about others?
1) I do think that Vivian has made Grant realize that he has been selfish because after they fight in chapter 26, Grant realizes that all he has really cared about has been Vivian.
ReplyDelete2)I think Grant might think less of himself since he has learned that Tante Lou has worked so hard to get him to college and he might become more appreciative towards the members of his life.
1) I think that Grant finally realized what he cares the most about, Vivian. I definitely think that he will be a better man towards her because he realized how important she is in his life.
ReplyDelete2) I think that Grant is starting to realize that other people really care about him and have sacrificed things for him, especially Tante Lou. I think that he will start to be less selfish and start to care more about the people who care about him.
1) Why do you think the author decided to put a journal entry of jefferson's in the book so close to the end?
ReplyDelete2) Why do you think that jefferson didn't ask to see Grant on more time and tell him that he's a man, not a hog? Why did he write it in his journal and make Paul give it to Grant?
1)I feel that the journal was put in the book to give the reader a better understanding of him. It showed that he is uneducated, and it also showed how he progressed from and animal to a real man with self respect and pride.
ReplyDelete2)I think that Jefferson felt that Grant has done all he can do for him. I also think that he feels he would get to emotional if Jefferson saw Grant.
1) Why did the author include so many points of views from new characters before the execution took place?
ReplyDelete2) Does Grant seem to feel guilty at the end of the novel? Did he feel that he didn't do enough for Jefferson?
1) I believe that the author did this so that the reader could see different perspectives of people in the novel. he made it so people could see how people thought about Jefferson. for example some people felt he was bad, and some felt sorry for him.
ReplyDelete2) To an extent. i feel he was happy that he did a good job makeing jefferson feel like a man but i think he was sorry that he was not at the courthouse with him.
1) I think he did this to show how many people cared about jefferson and also to show how people felt about him. It also showed that the white people in the community didn't care as much as the African Americans in the community.
ReplyDelete2)I think that Grant felt good about making jefferson feel like a man, but I think he was sad that he wasn't at the execution.
Chapter 28: In this chapter of the book Grant goes to visit Jefferson. Grant looks in the notebook he gave Jefferson, and sees that Jefferson did do some writing. In the notebook it says "Man walk on two foots; hogs on four hoofs" (220) this shows how Jefferson has grown. Later Jefferson asks Grant about religion and what Reverend Ambrose told him. Grant seems to try to avoid Jefferson's questions about religion until Jefferson offers him a "tato" (225) which ends the Chapter.
ReplyDeleteChapter 19- 20
ReplyDeleteIn these chapters Grant's students put on a Christmas play for the parents and families in their community. In chapter 19, Grant explains how he is not happy, "She was right; i was not happy. I had heard the same carols all my life, seen the same little play, with the same mistakes in grammar."(151) This also suggests that Grant has not seen a change in the children he teaches because they always have the same mistakes.
In chapter 20, Grant and Reverend Ambrose go to the Sheriff's house to find out that Jefferson's death will be April eighth. "They sentence you to death because you were at the wrong place at the wrong time, with no proof at all that you had anything to do with the crime other than being there when it happened." (158) this shows that the sheriff doesn't care about what proof they could have in order to get Jefferson to be innocent, and that the date was convenient for other people not Jefferson.
Chapter 28
ReplyDeleteGrant goes to visit Jefferson and Jefferson allows Grant read his little notebook with his thoughts in it. Jefferson and Grant also talk about heaven. "You think I'm going to heaven?" (Jefferson asked)
"i don't know"
"You think Mr. Grope went to heaven? You think Brother and Bear went to Heaven?"
"I don't know"
"Then what am i gon pray for?"
This suggests that Jefferson does not have strong faith in god in that he doesn't know what he should pray for.
Chapter 29
ReplyDeleteThis chapter is taken up by Jefferson's letter to Grant. Jefferson explains how confused he is about god and if the lord really loves him. "It look like the lord just work for white folks cuz ever sens i was nothin but a little boy ive been on my on haulin water to the fiel on that ol water cart with all them dime buckets..."
This shows that Jefferson thinks that he doesn't know if the lord really loves him or if the lord only "works" for the white people.