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Title: A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, Keith Glover, Romulus Linney ISBN: 1-58081-238-4 Publisher: L A Theatre Works Pub. Date: May, 2002 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.11 (388 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A Great Book
Comment: A Lesson before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines is a moving, powerful novel about a black individual put on death row for a crime he did not commit. Overall, I thought the book was very inspiring and well written, but had its drawbacks. The novel is set in the 1940's, where Jefferson and two of his companions, rob a local store. Everybody was killed except Jefferson, the only man who did not fire a single shot. He is subsequently put in jail for no other reason except for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He is then sentenced to death by the electric chair. His loving aunt, Miss Emma, was humiliated when the juror called Jefferson a hog in public. She hires Grant Wiggins, an educated schoolteacher to help make Jefferson a man, and walk to the chair. Grant and Jefferson work together and following some minor indifferences, Jefferson walked to the chair as a man in the end. The aspect that sets this book apart from others written in a similar manner is that the story did not revolve around Jefferson's trial or his punishment. The author relates the plot in the beginning of the story, which can be a drawback or a bonus, depending on the reader. I liked the way Gaines introduced the entire plot early on, in order to have the reader concentrate on the characters and symbolism immediately rather than later. Also, Gaines brought the characters into the story slowly, unlike most authors. Gaines releases a couple facts about each person when he/she was first introduced. Then, he conveyed more details about them later in the story. In addition to this, Gaines did not reveal any emotional or inner traits about the characters. As an alternative, he let the characters' traits be exposed by their actions. One theme that was predominately heard throughout the novel was "Actions speak louder than words". An example of this was Jefferson's silence as he walked to the chair. While everybody in the room worried about the execution and showed remorse or pity, he did not speak. Paul, the security guard said, "He was the bravest man in the room," and "- I could not bare to look". The book was top notch for the theme of heroism. The story, in my opinion, displayed two heroes, Jefferson and Grant Wiggins. Grant was hero to Jefferson and Jefferson was a hero towards Grant and the society of Bayonne, Louisiana. Grant did what probably no people in that section of town would have done. He talked and gave Jefferson a chance to reform. That touched Jefferson deeply, knowing that some people cared for him. In one of the last journal entries of Jefferson, he emotionally thanked Grant in the little writing that he knew. Jefferson was the main hero in the novel. He set an example for all people to believe in; he showed them to not be afraid. Jefferson at first was afraid to die, but when Grant came to him, and taught him strength, Jefferson conquered his fears. Jefferson portrayed to the town, that although the white government may seem invincible, some things or choices might have a bad effect on them. The reader could see this throughout the book. From when the execution date was set, the officials began to talk less, and not be as harsh as before. The works of Jefferson and Grant touched Ms. Emma, and Grant was so moved by Jefferson that he could not go to the execution. He was crying for Jefferson and himself when Paul told Grant it was done.
The only drawback that I found in the book was it was slow. When one reads the book, a lot of patience is required or they will lose focus. I believe that the story does not have much action or suspense. That is the main focus of most of the stories out in bookstores today, if you are an "action and explosions" individual the book is not for you. On the contrary, what I loved most about the book were the details in the story and the theme of the plot. In other words symbolism was a chief topic in Gaines' novel.
Symbolism is a major part in the understanding of the book. Some of the diminutive details of the story have a lot of importance as the novel progresses. For example, Grant mentions the picture that hangs in the classroom of "The Last Supper"
while in the classroom. This picture compares with Jefferson's last meal before the execution. Another picture in Grant's room portrays Christ knocking on a door; it represents Jefferson knocking on the door of faith and hope. Jefferson cannot be executed on Lent because the town will not allow it. Jefferson is scheduled to die between the hours of noon and three, which was the time of Christ's crucifix. Ernest Gaines writes the novel very realistically. Grant was extremely nervous and angry that he had to go see Jefferson every week. He even said, "What's the use, he will die all the same". He thought the idea of trying to make Jefferson a man was absurd and a waste of time. Gaines portrayed the attitude of Grant well, because a person would not be exactly pleased if he/she had to carry out the act. Vivian was the only person that kept Grant going; if she had not encouraged him so much, I believe he would have quit. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys powerful novels with a lot of hidden meaning inside the text.
Rating: 4
Summary: Slow Yet Appealing
Comment: Taking place in World War II era Louisiana, A Lesson Before Dying depicts the struggle of a community through the experiences of one man. Grant Wiggins, born and raised on a sugar cane plantation, on which he is now the schoolteacher, is faced with the challenge of shaping a young innocent man named Jefferson, unjustly convicted for murder, into a man before his execution. "Now his godmother wants me to visit him and make him know-prove to these white men-that he's not a hog, that he's a man. I'm supposed to make him a man. Who am I? God?" Grant struggles with himself and the others around him in search of his own identity. The faith of the community lies upon Grant as a hero, and forces him to realize his importance to his people. As a result of his revelation Grant comes to understand his role amongst his peers and accepts the challenge presented to him by the matriarchs in the story, Miss Emma, and Grant's Aunt, Tante Lou. A Lesson Before Dying, although slow at times, was rich in character development, and is worthy of much praise due to its wonderful account of the struggle of a people. A classic story of faith, love, struggle, and heroism, A Lesson Before Dying promises to enhance the perspective on which one views life, basically a wonderfully told tragedy.
Rating: 5
Summary: WOW!
Comment: First off i would like to say that I was suprised that a classical book would trigger my individual book taste...but i was truly impressed. I loved this book, and suggest everyone read it. It is a story of a misaccusted young black youth who by being at the wrong place wrong time, must die in jail. Coming from a very respectable family they wish him to be visited by a teacher...in hope that he can die like a man. They give the unwilling teacher the great responsibility of opening a young man's eyes and heart, and teach him that he (a black boy) is much more than what white society may view him as. In the end the boy is able to possess integrity, strength, faith, and pride although fate has short future for him. Defanantly a beautiful and soul-fufilling book.
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Title:Ernest J. Gaines's "A Lesson before Dying": A Study Guide from Gale's "Novels for Students" ASIN: B00006G3KA Publisher: The Gale Group Pub. Date: 23 July, 2002 List Price(USD): $3.95 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $3.95 |
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Title:A Lesson Before Dying ASIN: B0000399WJ Publisher: Hbo Studios Pub. Date: 23 January, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.98 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $13.48 |
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Title: Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons ISBN: 0375703055 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 05 November, 1997 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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Title: A Virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons ISBN: 0375703063 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 05 November, 1997 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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Title: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith ISBN: 006092988X Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 September, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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