Racism in “A Lesson Before Dying”: How It Affects Grant and Jefferson
1. Introduction
The novel "A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest Gaines tells the story of two African American men in the 1940s, Grant Wiggins and Jefferson, who are living in the racially segregated town of Bayonne, Louisiana. Racism is a major theme in the novel and it affects both Grant and Jefferson in different ways.
Grant is an educated man who has chosen to return to his hometown to teach at the local elementary school. He is frustrated with the racism he sees around him and the lack of opportunities for black people in Bayonne. He is also resentful of the fact that he has to teach in a segregated school.
Jefferson is a young man who has been accused of a crime he did not commit and has been sentenced to death. He is resentful of the fact that he is going to die for a crime he did not commit and that he is not being treated fairly because he is black.
2. How racism influenced Grant and Jefferson throughout the novel
2.1. Racism in Bayonne, Louisiana
Racism is a major theme in "A Lesson Before Dying" and it affects both Grant and Jefferson in different ways. Racism is evident in Bayonne, Louisiana, where the novel is set. The town is segregated and black people are not treated equally to white people.
Jefferson is a young man who has been accused of a crime he did not commit and has been sentenced to death. He is resentful of the fact that he is going to die for a crime he did not commit and that he is not being treated fairly because he is black.
Grant is also affected by racism in Bayonne. He is an educated man who has chosen to return to his hometown to teach at the local elementary school. He is frustrated with the racism he sees around him and the lack of opportunities for black people in Bayonne. He is also resentful of the fact that he has to teach in a segregated school.
2. 2. Segregation in schools
Segregation in schools was another form of racism that affected both Grant and Jefferson in "A Lesson Before Dying". Segregation was a policy of separating black children from white children in schools. This was done because white people believed that black children were inferior to white children and they did not want them attending the same schools.
Jefferson was affected by segregation in schools because he was not able to attend the same school as white children. He had to go to a segregated school for black children where the education was not as good as it was for white children. This made Jefferson feel inferior to white children and resentful towards them.
Grant was also affected by segregation in schools because he was a teacher at a segregated school for black children. He was frustrated with the fact that black children were not getting the same quality of education as white children. He felt that segregation was unfair and unjust.
2. 3. Racism in the death penalty
Racism was also a factor in the death penalty, which was another issue that affected both Grant and Jefferson in "A Lesson Before Dying". The death penalty is a punishment that is given to people who have been convicted of a crime. It is usually given to people who have committed murder or other serious crimes.
Jefferson was resentful of the fact that he was going to be put to death for a crime he did not commit. He felt that he was being treated unfairly because he was black. He believed that if he were white, he would not have been given the death penalty.
Grant was also resentful of the fact that Jefferson was going to be put to death. He felt that it was unjust and unfair. He believed that Jefferson was being punished because he was black.
3. Conclusion
Racism is a major theme in "A Lesson Before Dying" and it affects both Grant and Jefferson in different ways. Racism is evident in Bayonne, Louisiana, where the novel is set. The town is segregated and black people are not treated equally to white people. Segregation in schools was another form of racism that affected both Grant and Jefferson. Jefferson was not able to attend the same school as white children and he felt inferior because of it. Grant was a teacher at a segregated school and he felt that segregation was unfair and unjust. Racism was also a factor in the death penalty, which affected both Grant and Jefferson. Jefferson was resentful of the fact that he was going to be put to death for a crime he did not commit. Grant was also resentful of the fact that Jefferson was going to be put to death. He felt that it was unjust and unfair.