Together with members of your book group, you’ll be reading A Lesson Before Dying over the next several weeks. Although you're not required to take notes while you read, it would be wise to keep track of important events and characters for your own clarification. You are, however, expected to participate regularly and thoughtfully in an online discussion of FOUR essential questions.
Here's how it works:
Divide your book into three roughly equal sections. You need to have read and blogged about these sections by the due dates below.
There are two kinds of posts in this discussion: comments and responses.
- Comments = direct answers to the essential questions
- Post at least SIX comments altogether: at least TWO for each section of your book.
- You must comment on all of the essential questions over the course of your reading.
- One of your nine comments can be a "free response" post.
- Responses = direct responses to another reader’s comment or response
- Post at at least NINE responses altogether: at least THREE for each section of your book.
- Post your first set of comments and three responses by Monday, March 31 (Blue), & Tuesday, April 1 (Red).
- Post your second set of comments and responses by Monday, April 7 (Red), and Tuesday, April 8 (Blue).
- Post your third set of comments and responses by Monday, April 14 (Blue), and Tuesday, April 15 (Red).
Essential Questions:
- How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American culture? Be specific! (Page references are helpful.)
- How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American history?
- How does the main character in the book experience a coming-of-age “hero journey”? Be specific by describing particular stages in this journey.
- How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) connect to contemporary African-American culture (i.e., current events, issues, films, songs, etc.)?
Assessment:
To earn maximum credit, post thoughtful responses that are at least a short paragraph in length—and carefully proofread! Do not misspell characters' or authors’ names! Also, be sure to include specific references to the text (either details or short quotations). Page numbers, too, are always helpful.
In order to start posting, click on the "comments" link in the box below.
One of the things I found interesting about the book was the cultural differences in the school that Mr. Wiggans teaches as versus our contemporary school. Mr. Wiggans teaches primer through 6th grade, all in one classroom. He has some of the older students teach the younger classes, and he teaches the older classes (pg. 34). If we were to go back to such times as we are today, it would be a shocking change. The punishments are also more severe, enough that it would not be socially acceptable to have such punishments in our schools today. When a student tried to figure out a multiplication problem on his fingers, he was hit with a ruler (pg. 35). When one of his first grade students ignored his studies to play with a bug on his sleeve, he gets hit on the back of the head with Mr. Wiggins' ruler. (pg. 39) Today teachers will have bad days, and be harsher than usual, but punishments such as these would never be allowed. There was also the matter of the superintendent's visit. When he comes to check the school, he asks them about whether or not they'd said their prayers, which would not be tolerated today, as school is now supposed to be secular. He physically examines their hands and their teeth, something that would also not be acceptable today. It goes to show how much improvement school have undergone since these times, although there are still similarities in there not being enough funding. Of course, there's much more today then there was then, but it makes me wonder if there will ever be enough funding in public schools.
ReplyDeleteYes, I completely agree. I was also surprised that Grant's students found the laborious jobs, such as cutting and stacking the fire-wood (pg.60), more enjoyable than their education that they have finally received. I was also able to visualize a fine line between white schools and black schools. Although Grant complains to the superintendent that most of the school’s books and chalk are "hand-me-downs"(pg.57) from white schools. The superintendent, just says that white schools struggle too, and then he suggests that Grant should put the children to work in the fields to earn money. If that's not raciest enough, he compliments Grant’s class by calling it a “good crop,"(pg.56) racist language that suggests that the students are objects, not people. I feel a strong sense of segregation and discrimination in this book so far.
DeleteThat really annoyed me when the superintendent asked the kids if they said they're prayers today. While just because you live in America that doesn't mean everyone is Christian. Some of the kids families could have came from the eastern part of Africa which is most Islam and not Christian. He didn't have the kindness to even think about that. But in his mind he didn't even care because this visit was just all a waste of time for him anyways. He very much despises the black children and thinks of them as if they aren't going to make it anywhere so why even bother.
DeleteThere are a lot of differences all the time in schools. For example the further south you go the times of schools may vary. Also their relations may change with black people and black students depending on the location.
DeleteTrue, there are various different degrees of this happening, but just the fact that such intolerant acts occurred is what appalled me.
DeleteI agree, times were very different back then. I thought it was terrible when he smashed the kid on the head for playing with a bug. It's one thing to hit them on the hands when they know it's coming, but hitting on the head is just cruel. I thought Grant was a nice guy until this incident. It really changed my views of him.
DeleteI've noticed this, too. I don't know about you, but when Mr. Wiggans administers such punishments, I can't help but be turned off from liking him as a character.
DeleteI noticed this as well. I also remember when the girl didn't draw the simple sentence in a straight line, and the teacher was disrespectful to her the rest of the class. Nowadays if a teacher did the things they do in the book, they would probably get in more trouble than the kid for what he did.
DeleteSo far the book seems to show the African American culture in two ways. In some places, with some people, the African Americans are a proud people, and they stand tall; they're survivors. But from some of the African American people, they speak as though their race is defeated, inferior, and will always be ignorant. Miss Emma is one that shows the African American culture being proud and strong. When her godson Jefferson is sentenced to death for the murder he didn't commit, she doesn't break down, she stands tall. What she cares about is how Jefferson's lawyer defended him. "Called him a hog," She says. (pg. 12) She knows that he's good as dead, as Mr. Wiggans (Grant) says to her, but what she cares about are Jefferson's characteristics. "I want a man to go to that chair, on his own two feet." Miss Emma says. This goes to show how important it is to Miss Emma that he's a man, not an animal. She has not given up that African Americans, and Jefferson are people as well, and all she wants is for her godson to be a man. She shows incredible strength to be able to function this well through the impeding death of her godson. The other half of the African American culture at this time just seems defeated, like Grant's old school teacher. He says that there's nothing but ignorance here in the south (pg. 65), that there's never going to be anything but ignorance. He tells Grant that five and a half months isn't enough to wipe away ignorance, and that these African American children are going to end up laborers like their parents. He shows no faith, and this goes to show how painful it is to be an African American at this time. Their culture seems broken, those that want to stand tall like Miss Emma, those that pursue education like Grant, and those that have given up like Grant's old teacher.
ReplyDeleteThose are some great examples! I find that Grant does want to make a change in his home town, but he is too caught up in his inner conflicts. Little by little though, I find that Grant is gaining self confidence in who he actually is; a human!
DeleteThose are very good examples. It is definitely showing pride and class to die in honor and not letting the whites get to the blacks. Miss Emma is very strong and has the right intentions. Even though she knows her Godson did nothing wrong she knows she can't do anything about it and would rather have him die like a man with dignity then to die the way the whites want. I feel as if they're are just trying to prove a point and want to scare the blacks and show that they're in charge.
DeleteWhile reading the first 12 chapters of A Lesson Before Dying, I found that African American history repeats itself since the days of slavery. The author uses Grant's students as a prime example. On page 60, the school had received its first load of fire wood for the winter. Immediately, the students went to work chopping, splitting, and stacking the wood. But oddly enough, they enjoyed it more than their education. "I got my end up." "Well, I got the heavy end." "You sure got that right." And they laugh. Grant gets frustrated when he watches them, and he wonders, “Am I reaching them at all? They are acting exactly as the old men who never attended school a day in their lives. Is it just a vicious circle?” (pg. 62) He worries that blacks are so used to their chains, they have come to like them. Going along with the whites is easier than fighting them. Although slavery has been abolished long before this story takes place, some continue to do the laborious tasks.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that the kids are still thinking as though they have to work, and enjoying it. I think this is because it's something they're familiar with. The school work that Grant presents with with is difficult, and unfamiliar. However, splitting the wood, and stacking it is something that has been passed on from generation to generation, since the times of slavery. I believe they also enjoy it because they can talk and joke whilst doing it, whereas if they were to talk inside the school they would get in trouble.
DeleteBut that is one of the traits African-Americans have picked up from doing hard work. They learn to make the best of a situation. With that attitude they can conquer anything. I completely understand where Mr. Wiggins is coming from but at least they're having fun.
DeleteI agree that the children are thinking that they have to work, but it's not really like slavery. I for one think it would be so much fun to go out and chop would instead of the usual studies. I think it makes sense that they would be having fun. They're kids, and kids like to be outside. I don't think that they necessarily think that they are being forced to work, but it's a good point.
DeleteI really like what your saying here. It's so true that they do get used to how they are being treated but at the same time it's kinda sad to think that they are used to it because of how long it had been happening.
DeleteI feel that Mr. Wiggan's view of the wood chopping scene was a bit cynical. It isn't a bad thing to make light of a situation and enjoy a little bit of hard work. You can do that and be educated at the same time.
DeleteDuring chapter seven in particular, the colored students receive many racial comments. Although it is not as harsh, racial comments still continue just about everywhere today. Some good examples happen during the superintendent's visit in chapter seven. He compliments Grant’s class by calling it a “good crop,"(pg.56) racist language that suggests that the students are objects, not people. The superintendent insists on teaching the importance of hygiene, but Grant notes the poor health of whites; Edna drinks, a fat man grunts like a hog, and Dr. Joseph himself, who insists upon physical exercise for the black children, is so fat he can hardly get into his own car. Dr. Joseph also says in a jokingly manner "have any of these boys ever seen a toothbrush?" And suggests they work in a cotton field. Even today racial slurs are exchanged, and they even have their own section on joke websites now!
ReplyDeleteI agree that there are definitely hints of racism throughout. Another example of this is when Grant is speaking of the visit from the superintendent visiting the schools, he mentions that while the colored school only get a visit per year, the white schools get a visit once per semester. And the fact alone that there is a white school and a colored school shows that there is still segregation in this time. And though it was supposed to be separate but equal, I highly doubt this is the case regarding these schools.
DeleteThey may only get one visit once per a year because he teaches only five and a half months out of the year, because his students work in the fields the rest of the time. You still make a valid point, and it's quite obvious that colored schools are not treated as equal as white schools.
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ReplyDeleteA Lesson Before Dying illuminates many aspects of the African-American culture. Not the culture we have nowadays but the culture 100 years ago. On page 54 when Dr. Joseph was inspecting everyones hands he happened to choose Louis Washington Jr. which who was one of the worst kids in the class. He happened to have dirty hands and on page 57 Dr. Joseph says to Mr. Wiggins "More emphasis on hygiene." Obviously Dr. Joseph knows that most black kids have to work for their families to support them. Unlike many white folks who get way better jobs and bigger salaries that their children don't have to work. It seemed as if he was just trying to find something to get mad at the school about. Which he did so by making racist remarks. Also even if it wasn't that dirty the hand color is the shade of dirt more or less so he could use that as an example to help him prove his point. Also on page 57 Mr. Wiggins is trying to stick up for his children by talking about all the hammy downs they get from white schools and how they get nothing new. Dr. Joseph comes back saying "We take what the state gives us and we make the best of it." Well duh you make the best of it. You only put all the use of the money towards white schools and black schools just get all the leftovers or stuff that isn't good enough. This is definitely not todays African-American culture but it was the culture 50-100 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the inspection was definitely biased. I hadn't considered their hands being dirty because they had to work for their families, but now that you mention this could definitely be one of the factors. Mr. Wiggans also explains that not many of the families could afford simple things as tooth brushes for the "more hygiene" the superintendent wants so badly. I am sure that he knew that these African American families had more important things to worry about than personal hygiene and I agree that he was just looking for something to criticize them for. I think it's pretty sad that people looked so hard for reasons why African Americans were lacking, and it's a sad part of the every day life for these people.
DeleteAlthough the African American students lacked of "good hygiene," they had great physical and mental strengths. Unlike the superintendent who was so out of shape, he could barely get in and out of his car. Great points though, and I totally agree.
DeleteEveryone from America has history but the history that is still being made today is the one by African-Americans. One aspect of African-American history is that black schools had black teachers and white schools had white teachers. That is the same as far as we know in this book. Also black men we seldom known for doing superb actions. They seem to only be known for there heinous crimes. But these are the only things white people talk about black people about so it makes them seem of less of an individual. More white people from the town probably knew about Jefferson's crime than Mr. Wiggins going to and graduating from an University. Also as the book says that black children had to work to provide for their families that is true just as black kids would have had to 50-100 years ago. The book is not as big on African-American history but when it is it is underlying in the direct message.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The book doesn't directly connect to the history of African Americans but if you think about it, at the same time, it kinda does.
DeleteVery true. I think it shows more of there lifestyle and how they live, but it shows African-American history at the same time.
DeleteThe African Americans had gotten so used to being treated without respect for so long that they knew exactly how they were supposed to say everything and how they were supposed to react to each thing they said to a white person. For example, right before Grant started talking to Sam Guidry he thought about how he should talk to the white man. He said, “To show too much intelligence would have been an insult to them. To show a lack of intelligence would have been a greater insult to me.” (Pg 47) When Sam Guidry asked Grant how long he’d been waiting Grant answered him with “About two and a half hours, sir” (Pg 47) he knew was supposed to answer with “Not long” out of respect, but doesn’t pay much attention to that. Again on page 48 Grant says, “She doesn’t feel that she has the strength to come up there all the time,” using the grammar that would be used today. Then the author states that Grant knew he was supposed to say “don’t” instead of “doesn’t.” Where saying "doesn’t” makes him sound more educated in the presence of the Sheriff. That has changed a lot by where African Americans are supposed to be treated the same way whites are and they are expected to learn and use the same grammar that white people do.
ReplyDeleteI agree that they've gotten used to being treated with disrespect. It's pretty sad how Grant was able to realize that he shouldn't have talked with such good grammar. It's sad that the African Americans are supposed to talk incorrectly, and they realize this. It must be difficult having to come up with the balance between insulting important people in the community, people with power, and insulting yourself, as Grant had to do when deciding to say doesn't instead of don't.
DeleteThat is such a great point and I never thought about it! They are so used to what they are "supposed to" say that they often don't say what's on their minds. Thats one reason I like Grant because he's not afraid to speak whats on his mind no matter what the consequences are.v
DeleteThere isn’t much in common with African American culture in this book compared to modern day African Americans. There are still some racial comments that get exchanged, but it isn’t as common as it is in this book. When Dr. Joseph said, “Get them off their lazy butts” (Pg 58) it is kind of interesting because most of the kids in the school only go to school for five months out of the year, and then they work out in the fields the other months. Whereas Dr. Joseph “was a short fat man with a large red face and a double chin, and he needed all his energy to get out of his car.” (Pg 52). Dr. Joseph also checked some kids hands for dirt and he checked their teeth. The author compared Dr. Joseph to “slave masters who had done the same when buying new slaves.” (Pg 56)
ReplyDeleteI agree that times have changed from back then. There is still a little bit of racism, but the situation for African-Americans has greatly improved. It was very unacceptable when Dr. Joseph checked their hands and teeth; I thought the comparison to a slave master was very accurate.
DeleteI agree that it was a bit disturbing to see that even after slavery was abolished, white people still acted like slave masters toward African-Americans. I also found this instance of racism to be hypocritical, seeing as Dr. Joseph wasn't exactly hard working and in peak physical condition.
DeleteI think that this book connects to african american culture for one because they are always talking about segregation like how there are schools separate for white and colored kids. Also how when they go to the prison, there is only one bathroom for colored people and it's in the basement and the rest are for whites.
ReplyDeleteYes, the book shows what it was like for African-Americans pretty well. It tells how they live and shows the history they have behind them. There is still racism after slavery was abolished and thoughts that African-Americans aren't as good, and therefore are treated badly. Such as what you mentioned, the bathroom for colored people was in the basement, and the rest of the bathrooms are for white people.
DeleteAgreed. Even though slavery was abolished many years ago, there is still segregation. The part about how the black school's books were shabby hand-me-downs from the white schools really showed how bad the racism was. In this story, the blacks still get the short end of the stick.
DeleteThe book also connects to african american culture because of the whole reason Jefferson is in jail. He was accused of a crime that he did not even commit and there was a good argument but the jury ruled him guilty anyways. The jury was full of white people and Jefferson was black. The jury would probably not have ruled it that way if he was white.
ReplyDeleteI agree with that! I definitely agree there is a biased towards white people, but at the same time there wasn't any one that was at the scene when the three men died to tell what had actually happened. That would be the point where the legal system would take the word of the white men, who walked into the store right after the three men had died, over Jefferson's.
DeleteGood observations. There's definitely a connection to the historic Scottsboro case here. Denying blacks "trial by a jury of one's peers" was yet another violation of civil rights during the first half of the 20th century. Keep this in mind when you're reading To Kill a Mockingbird.
DeleteThe story illuminates aspects of African-American culture through the characters and the way that they are treated. The characters, other that Grant Wiggans, are sometimes illiterate when they talk, which suggests that maybe they didn't get as good of an education due to the segregation of races in schools and the fact that schools for black children probably wouldn't have gotten quality resources for learning in comparison to schools for white children. Character's such as Jefferson and Grant are generally subjected to racism in the first third of the book. Jefferson is referred to as a hog in the first chapter and several other chapters in order to say that he is uneducated. Grant having to wait for hours to see Henri Pichot represents that white people thought they were superior to black people in this era.
ReplyDeleteI agree. There resources in school were limited, when the girl wrote the sentence and it wasn't in a straight line she was punished for waisting the chalk. The teacher stated that the chalk they had in the classroom was the only chalk they had for the rest of the school year, and the school didn't buy it for him, he had to buy it with the money from his own pocket.
DeleteMy overall impression of Grant Wiggans is that he has a bitter disposition that he tends to express towards people that he knows are less educated than him. For example, when he is in a bad mood, he tends to take it out on his students that he knows are completely defenseless. He didn't even show any sympathy towards the little girl whom he made cry by mentioning her cousin who was going to be put to death. That being said, I don't have a lot of respect for him so far. Hopefully, he will make up for his disposition in the following two-thirds of the book.
ReplyDeleteI agree that he seems bitter, but in all honesty, I don't think I would be any less bitter if I were put in his position. He's being made to help a dead "hog" to become a man, and he's teaching a school where his students are most likely going to be shamed and ridiculed for the color of their skin regardless of their brain power. Though I agree taking it out on his students is wrong, I respect Grant for even bothering to make an effort with his students, caring about them enough to give them a decent education, and as big a shot at life as they can have.
DeleteI feel you. I completely despise Grant. He has no self control and his just a total brat about the whole Jefferson ordeal. I mean, I understand that his aunt is a real nuisance and puts a lot of pressure on him. And it's also not his problem that Jefferson is a "hog", but he should have a better attitude about things.
DeleteI agree with this, but I also understand why Grant is upset. He is trying to help someone face their death as a man instead of "a hog," but it's kind of difficult to help someone who isn't willing to be helped.
DeleteThis story tells us a little bit about the history of African-Americans. It focuses on some of the racist events that take place. When Grant was being too “smart” while talking to the Sheriff and Mr. Henri it showed that the blacks were expected to be lower than the whites. Even though Grant was a well educated man, perhaps even more educated than the whites, he was looked down upon and expected to you words such as “don’t” in the place of “doesn’t”. He was supposed to “be the nigger he was born to be.” I think this is very disrespectful and I am so glad that times have changed and people don’t treat African-Americans like this anymore. The white men should see Grant as an equal, but they don’t. Just because he is black they look down on him. This novel really shines light on all the racism that happened back in the day.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with this. I think it's kinda funny how they don't like how smart he is and how he doesn't even care most of the time. I think it's cool that he doesn't care what people say to him and he will be his smart self no caring of the consequences.
DeleteGrant experiences a sort of coming-of-age throughout these first twelve chapters. He has to man up and do something that he really doesn’t want to do. He does not want to visit Jefferson and turn him into a man; he doesn’t even know how he is supposed to be turning him into a man. However, Grant needs to man up and do this for Ms. Emma and his aunt. Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to in life. Despite his constant bickering about not wanting to go, he went anyway and attempted to please Ms. Emma. I was proud of him when he went up to the jail by himself when Ms. Emma was ill. I thought he was going to just pretend to, but he went up there and did his usual routine. That changed my thoughts about him a little bit, and it really showed that he was, in a way, coming-of-age and manning up.
ReplyDeleteOne way that this book shows African American culture is by the importance most of the characters (except for Grant) place in religion. As African American slaves, they were told that they shouldn't mind being slaves now, because when they died they would be able to go to heaven. I think this is part of the reason why African Americans embraced religion so much as slaves, and this love for God was passed down from generation to generation, even after slavery was abolished. When Vivian is introduced to Miss Emma and Grant's aunt, they ask her if she goes to church (pg. 114). When Vivian explains that she's Catholic, Grant's aunt continues questioning her about it, if she goes every week, if she would stop going for Grant if need be. It's clear that religion is important to these people. For their school production, they have a show of the birth of Jesus, which would never be allowed to happen in schools now, as they have to be secular. On page 164, when Vivian was saying goodbye to Miss Emma, the way she made her feel better was by telling her that she was praying for them both, meaning her and Jefferson.
ReplyDeleteThose are some great examples. Just to add, Grant did at one time fallow in religious practices. Grant distanced himself from his community while at the university in California, and he cannot see the positive values associated with the church now. I found that Grant believes Christian churches merely function to keep black people in a subservient state, and that the God worshipped by his family and friends, is nothing more than a white God. However, Grant’s statement about “running in place” indicates that something inside prevents him from leaving his community and his church.
DeleteExcellent observation and reference, Ernie! What do you think that "something" is that keeps Grant bound to his community?
DeleteThis book shows the history of the African American people in a multitude of ways. One of these is in the racist behavior the African Americans are shown by the white men. Since times of slavery, racism has been in american culture, especially against African Americans, which is why they were enslaved in the first place. They were thought to be not as intelligent as white people, which is why when Grant says "doesn't" instead of "don't", he knows he could be in trouble because he didn't speak incorrectly. Another piece of the African American history I picked up on was the mention of the book by Frederick Douglass, who was an African American man who spoke out about the "Great Betrayal." Another piece of the African American history is that while they are no longer enslaved, and forced to work in the fields, and do harsh labor, many still do, as that is all they know how to do, and in some cases that is the only job they can get. However, you can see that the culture of these people is not to back down and be gloomy, instead you see and hear the men talking cheerfully to each other, and whistling, making the best of the labor they need to do to survive. You can see their history and culture of the gospel singing when Miss Emma is practicing for her Church singing every morning (whether there's church or not). There are many tidbits of African American culture and history throughout this book.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with how you said African Americans continued to do harsh laborious work for awhile, but still made the best of it. It also reflects on them, they are more physically fit then most white people; for example, the superintendent who couldn't even fit in his car. They are mentally and emotionally fit as well. I like to use the superintendent as a counter-example of this as well; whom complained about his job and didn't want to help the schools with getting supplies or by performing more visits. In a real life scenario, having a good attitude at work makes everything less hard and more enjoyable. So, even though colored people back then didn't have the greatest education, they were actually smarter in that sense.
DeleteI agree with you 100%. There has been racism back then and there always will be racism. Racism will never diminish. No matter how hard we try. People will always look down on people which is a terrible thing to do. I personally hope it will diminish but knowing what has happened up to this point I doubt it will.
DeleteAfter reading chapter 13 and 15, it was obvious that church was a great piece of black culture back in the day. Miss Emma and Reverend Ambrose go to church every Sunday; where the church members sing their favorite hymns and tell the congregation where they will spend eternity. -This dates back to slavery, where they believed they would go to heaven, even if they were considered nobodies. Miss Emma and Grant's aunt ask Grant's love, Vivian, if she went to church. Vivian explained that she was Catholic and went to church every sunday. Miss Emma and Grant's aunt tell Grant that she is a “lady of quality,” on page 116. Grant himself though is no longer a religious person. Having distanced himself from his community while at the university, Grant cannot see the positive values associated with the church.
ReplyDeleteI agree and believe that back then religion meant much more to African-Americans. They had low value and were treated badly. I think that them knowing they were living for something, and when they died they would go to heaven, it may have given them more confidence and feel better. Despite how they were treated and what happened around them.
DeleteI agree with that. I also think that church is one of the few things that gave the African Americans hope. I think they hoped that the way they were being treated would change.
DeleteI also believe that church was a big part of African American culture. One can especially see how important it is when Grant's aunt is so offended by the fact that he doesn't go anymore. Today it's not really that big of a deal if you don't attend church, but back then it was a real sin.
DeleteYeah, those are great thoughts. I'd also like to add that I think it made slaves think they were actually apart of something other than slavery, and not "lifeless hogs."
DeleteI totally agree with this about church and the culture and that's something I totally forgot to mention. You bring up a really good point that church is a really big deal to them and they all are very religious people.
DeleteThey are a huge religious community. Without religion they would probably be in a worse of place then they are now. It is holding some order in the town which there probably wouldn't be if there wasn't church. Great response though.
DeleteI agree with what you said about how involved they are in their church. To me it seems that they take a lot of pride in being a part of something so uplifting and bigger than themselves.
DeleteWhile reading chapter 15, I found that the relation between blacks and the mulattoes back in the day was unusual, and a big part of African American history. Grants aunt's description of Vivian as a “lady of quality” on page 116, includes both praise and a mild demotion. Tante Lou says, “quality ain’t cheap,” degrading Vivian as an object for sale. Grant himself shows his demotion toward mulattoes when he tells Vivian that his family is “far from being the same thing” as hers. Also, going back to Chapter 8, I recall how the author's description of the bitter Professor Antoine again addresses the absurd relationship between blacks and mulattoes, showing the disagreements within the African American community itself.
ReplyDeleteUp to the end of chapter 21 in the books I haven't noticed much about how the book connects to contemporary African-American audiences. When I did notice something that connected to contemporary African-American audiences it was underlying in the main message. The book is definitely set in an earlier time period than we have going on today. One of the ways on how it connects is that they have strong beliefs about church. Which many African-Americans have today. But if an African-American was sentenced to death nowadays people would be all over that protesting and rioting. Considering it all a big racism scheme and showing white supremacy. They are just falling into a white culture and won't stick up for themselves. It is amazing how people like MLK helped them get through that phase and got them to where they're at now.
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ReplyDeleteI think the story connects to African American culture not too much but I found a little bit of connection. For instance, when Grant goes back to the bar again, he listens in on these three African American men talking about baseball and in particular, Jackie Robinson. They were just in aw of him and loved him and I think that's something that really should be taken into consideration because Jackie Robinson was just another step farther for African Americans and show that all people are equal. Another thing to bring up is the culture with church. Almost everyone in the book believes in going to church accept for Grant and many people in this book have pushed him to go but he doesn't. I think this is interesting that he doesn't go even though everyone else in town goes.
ReplyDeleteI think that the reason he doesn't go to church may have something to do with the fact that he doesn't want to be anything like them because in his mind they are all stereotypical black people. I agree with the part about the men in the bar talking about Jackie Robinson. It seems that all people take great pride in people that represent them in any way, shape, or form.
DeleteI honestly didn't think that there was much about this book that illuminated African American history accept the fact that there is a lot of segregation in the book which I talked about in one of my other post. White people are treated better for instance, Inez has to work for the Pichots as their maid. African Americans are not treated equally in this book and they have not advanced too much sense slavery.
ReplyDeleteThere was a lot in the book the connects to African-American history. You just have to know the history to be able to connect it to the book in the first place. Like how they grew sugarcane in the field, or how church was a big part of their lives, or just how the whites treated and thought about the blacks. If you knew more it would be easier to connect to the history. But good response for what you do know.
DeleteYeah you make a good point. Thanks for giving me feedback!!
DeleteYou make a really good point. I agree with you that this book had a lot of African-American history. But, you have to know the content you are dealing with and be able to understand it. Yes, there was a lot of slavery but, there was also the church. It was basically a home if you think about it. They love the church.
DeleteIn the second third of the book A Lesson Before Dying, I noticed that the book connects to African-American history. When him and Vivian make love out in the sugarcane field I realized how this part could definitely happen. Down south is where they grow sugarcane and there was lots of it growing. Also how Vivian's family disowned her because she had a black husband before Grant. Many white families would disown their kids if they married a black. Probably just because they believe that their white daughter could do and deserves so much better than a black man. This history mostly involves racism. Like how when at the prison the guard keeps on insisting that the situation is worse than it is so he doesn't have to put up with Grant.
ReplyDeleteIn the first third of "Lesson Before Dying," the setting was in a court room. The Judge was discussing the robbery and murder that happen in a bar. Jefferson is convicted of murder but he didn't do it, but the judge sentences him to the death penalty. Jefferson’s lawyer argues in court that Jefferson is nothing but a poor fool, hardly more worthwhile than a hog so that means he couldn't ever pull off a murder. When Miss Emma hears Jefferson's lawyer say he is a hog it makes her angry, he wants Jefferson not to be known as a hog before he has to die. Then Miss Emma tries to find a way to show Jefferson that he is a man not a hog.
ReplyDeleteI think that "A Lesson Before Dying" illuminates aspects of African-American history through the characters and how they interact with each other as well as their experiences with racism. An example of a reference to African-American history is when the boys are splitting wood outside of the school. Grant talks about them being just like their ancestors, meaning that they are accustomed to manual labor like their relatives before them who were slaves. An example of racism that was seen in African-American history is when Vivian's parents disowned her for marrying a black man.
ReplyDeleteI feel that if I were in Grant's position, I would not be as patient with Jefferson. I understand that Jefferson is looking death in the face at this point and that there isn't much life left for him that he can improve, but he really seems like a sore loser in this situation. He can't even bring himself to be strong for someone who he loves and who loves him, let alone for himself. I think that he's gotten to the point where he can't even feel shame anymore because he doesn't have any pride in himself or for his family whom he represents.
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DeleteI agree with that. It's almost like Jefferson seems to be giving up because if he pretends he doesn't care about anyone, including himself, it'll be a less emotional death when he has to face his death. He also doesn't seem to care whether he faces his death still as "a hog," as the attorney called him, or the man Miss Emma wants him to be. I don't think he has the dignity that Miss Emma wants him to die with either. When Grant and Miss Emma visit him in jail he says, "It don't matter," and, "I just a hog," it's like he has already given up.
DeleteI think that he tries to shut off his emotions because he hurts so much inside. If he can just convince himself that he doesn't matter, that nothing matters then maybe it'll hurt him less. I probably wouldn't be very patient if I were Grant either, but reading this as an outsider I feel bad for Jefferson.
DeleteThe second third of the story illuminates the aspect of church in African-American culture. It really honed in on how important church was for the characters in this book. Grant’s aunt was clearly very upset with the fact that he didn’t attend church anymore. She thought it was such a disgrace. She asked Vivian straight out if she went to church. If you asked someone that today it would be kind of weird. It’s not really any of your business today if someone attends church or not. We can also see the importance of church by the enthusiasm of Tante Lou and her girlfriends. They were so excited to go to church, and Tante Lou even sang her church songs at home before going.
ReplyDeleteThis story shows some African American culture. The two deputies, Clark and Paul, talked to Miss Emma and Grant when they got to the jail to visit Jefferson, and showed hesitation to let them in. They search the food the Miss Emma brings Jefferson because “You can never be too careful.” This is showing that white people didn’t trust the African Americans as much as they could have. Where they were visiting a jail most people should be getting stopped on their way in, but the deputies also had Grant empty out his pockets before he went in to visit Jefferson. These events show that in the past white people didn't necessarily trust the African Americans.
ReplyDeleteThe second third of the story connects to contemporary African-American culture through the aspect of church. An African-American church service as described in the novel involved a lot of gospel singing and fun. It sounds like a great time. Today African-American church services are just the same. They still involve a lot of singing and good stuff like that.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. Churches bad then do that same now! African-American churches do seem fun.
DeleteYeah I definitely think they focus a lot on church throughout this story but as specially in the 2/3 part of the book!
DeleteSo far in A Lesson Before Dying I haven’t seen anything very heroic done by Grant. He’s hasn’t been very kind to his students and most of that anger has been from his visits with Jefferson. When he is at the prison to help Jefferson face his death as a man Jefferson isn’t willing to be cooperative. He says stuff like, “It don’t matter,” “I just a hog,” and asking Miss Emma if she had “any corn for a hog." He lacks the dignity that Miss Emma wanted him to have. He also lacks respect. He threw his food on the floor saying that hogs didn't need to be respectful.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this period represents Jefferson's passage through the "abyss."
DeleteI agree that Jefferson wasn't very cooperative, but I really can't blame him; he's been sentenced to death for doing something he didn't do, and the only defense against him was that he wasn't a man so he shouldn't be punished like a man. If I were Jefferson in that situation I wouldn't want to be cooperative either.
DeleteThe main conflict with "Lesson Before Dying" is the racism. Grant even has trouble managing in the racist white society. Grant said "I can't face Jefferson, because i cannot face myself and my own life." Grant feels repulse by the environment that he grew up in but he cannot bring himself to leave. When he finally learns how to look at his family and friends positively, he becomes able to live in the South with strength and courage.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree. But Grant also deals with racist remarks and other racist ordeals quite well. For example, during chapter 22, the white clerk tried selling Grant the floor model instead of the brand new radio for Jefferson, but Grant stood his ground and the clerk caved in on the deal. Although racism was a horrible, on-going thing during this time, people have learned to deal with it. After all, there's nothing white people can do about i:. Slavery was abolished, and for the most part, black people were given equal opportunity.
DeleteI agree! The whole reason Jefferson was convicted was because he was African American and if it had been African Americans on the jury, he probably would not have been convicted.
DeleteWhen reading A Lesson Before Dying, throughout most of the book, I could connect Grant with the speaker in the contemporary poem, "Incident" by Countee Cullen. It is about someone who goes to Baltimore and when trying to be friendly with a white boy, gets made faces at and called a nigger. The speaker talks about how they saw all of Baltimore, but all they could remember is that belittling boy. Grant has a classroom full of students that respect him, a beautiful girlfriend, and he is helping to change the life of a young man. However, all he can see is the racism and social injustice of life at that time. There is beauty and joy around him but he is blind to all but the bad in his life and surroundings. I can imagine how hard it must be to see the good in a world where most of humanity is pitted against you, but I wish people would try.
ReplyDeleteGreat connection! I also found when we read "A Man Who Was Almost a Man" in class, that the mother of Dave refered to Dave as a "hog." Which we also see repeated throughout A Lesson Before Dying. Just something I picked up on that I thought was interesting.
DeleteThis is the best connection to an outside source I have seen on here. But really Anita, clean up the language and don't say that word. But yes he does seem to be so called "blind" because he is only noticing the bad things in life and not the good.
DeleteInteresting to think what kind of adults Dave and the speaker in Cullen's poem "Incident" would have grown up to be. Grant, like these young men, does seem to have a blister on his spirit, understandably but sadly.
DeleteI thought it was wonderful how the author included Jefferson's journal. So far into the book we hadn't really had a look into Jefferson's head aside from the self-deprecating comments he had made in the previous section. However, you learn a lot from those few pages that he wrote. From the grammar and spelling problems, you can tell that he was not someone that did well in school, and yet you can tell that in these last few days of his life he's gaining an understanding of the world. When he wrote that he was sorry for crying, and he was crying because Grant wasn't going to be there, and Grant was so good to him, it really make me think. We've been so quick to judge Grant for being so bitter, and yet in this last third of the book he really made an honest effort to help Jefferson, because HE wanted to, not because of his aunt. Grant really isn't such a bad guy, he's just an honest depiction of someone who's been hardened from their hardship. But Grant really did help Jefferson, as Paul says. Grant saved Jefferson, and Jefferson thanking his for this in his journal was incredibly touching.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed how his diary was included. It finally sort of gave me the chance to get to know Jefferson. Before this we never really knew what kind of person he was; we never knew what was going on inside his head. The journal entries explained a lot about him and really helped bring the story to a close.
DeleteThough I somewhat enjoyed Jefferson's journal as a part of the book, I found it to be a bit frustrating to decipher the text to make sense of what he was saying. I understand why there was a lack of literacy in the journal, but it was still difficult to read.
DeleteAfter finishing A Lesson before Dying, I thought i'd touch base on chapter 28. I found chapter 28 interesting because in this chapter, Grant becomes not a teacher but a student. Grant is lost and needs Jefferson’s help, as he admits to Jefferson. When he speaks to Jefferson in Chapter 28, Grant tries to persuade Jefferson to believe in religion whether Jefferson believes it will be good for his soul or not. But instead Jefferson begins teaching Grant to stop living in his own pain and fear. Remember though, Jefferson once sat quiet on his bed and refused to talk, now he periodically confronts Grant. Jefferson tries to get answers from Grant, demanding to know whether Grant has faith in heaven and God, and whether the people who want Jefferson to die for them would die for Jefferson; such as other heroes who have died for similar reasons. Grant was not able to answer these questions and lowered his head (probably because he was unsure in religion as well.) Jefferson immediately striated his neck, then offering Grant food. Jefferson acts as Grant should act, lifting his head up and being brave. We also know from the reading that eventually dies a man, and it's this chapter where he starts to realize and make a turn-around for the better.
ReplyDeleteIf you really think about it if there is no religion then what happens after. Kind of scary because there is no way to know or tell until the time actually occurs. But Grant should have done a better job and lied saying about how he believed in God and that he would bring him to heaven. It would be a much easier experience for Jefferson to handle.
DeleteGrant and Jefferson are on a journey. Though they have vastly different educational backgrounds, they're both black men who have lost hope, that eventually brings them together in the search for the meaning of their lives. I'd argue that Jefferson went through a more noticeable hero journey. It all started when Jefferson was convicted of a crime, and though he did not commit it, he is sentenced to death as a "hog." That single word made Jefferson lose all hope in his humanity. For most of the book, Jefferson didn't show much heroism. He called himself a "hog," and for the most part acted like one. However, this point marked Jefferson's passage through the "abyss." From that point on, we found that Jefferson was willing to work with Grant, and he accepted food and asked for things; more like a human than "hog." Jefferson starts to realize how many people actually care for him. It's in chapter 28, Jefferson shows what a hero really is. He starts to teach his own teacher, and he shows great self-digniety in himself as a human. On his final day, he shows great bravery (considering he knew he was going to die.) Jefferson stands up immediately and turns off his radio. Paul says he has never seen such great bravery in anyone before. Before dying, Jefferson completes his transformation into a dignified, compassionate, exemplary human being. Although Jefferson died, he died a brave man. Someone only a true hero could be.
ReplyDeleteI totally am with you on this. It was so empowering to see the transformation between Jefferson from before Grant helped him to after. I feel the same about Grant, and I think Jefferson really helped Grant too.
DeleteErnie, your comment prompts the question: whose is the "lesson before dying"?
DeleteAfter finishing this book, it's clear that more than one of the characters in this book experience "coming of age." Jefferson has definitely showed coming of age as specially through the last part of the book. He realized that he really was a man and he became even more of a man. He did what was right and he showed love to Miss Emma and made her happy which was so nice. He knew that when he died, he would die a man and he knew now that he always was a man.
ReplyDeleteYes, and I would also like to add that I believe Jefferson was trying to prove everyone else wrong. Such as the police officers he heard on duty making bets on him.
DeleteHaving a journal must have been a huge influence on making him be a man. Only literate men can write in a journal, not any hogs. It seemed like this was a self pride moment for Jefferson.
DeleteGrant also experienced coming of age at the very end of the book when Paul helps him realize that he has also become a man. Grant never thought of himself as a man and maybe he wasn't, but he is now. He's a man because he shows that he can help others and that he's not just all about himself. He's capable of a lot more than he realized and he's a good person. This was such an empowering book and I can say it's probably the best book I've ever read.
ReplyDeleteYes, the conversation between Paul and Grant was really moving. Grant never thought too highly of himself and the things Paul said helped him see that he had definitely became man. Especially when Pail emphasized that he was not just saying that stuff to make Grant feel good or ease his pain. He was sincere; he wanted Grant to know that he was an excellent teacher and had made a man out of Jefferson.
DeleteGrant is one who had a hero journey. Even though Jefferson definitely had the biggest hero journey, Grant still had one of his own. Grant was once so stubborn and ignorant about the whites. He knew they had power over him and he did nothing to stop them. He just went along with it and did think anything would change in Jefferson. He only went at first because he knew he had to go or else his aunt would do even worse to Grant than what was being done to Jefferson. After he kept on persisting to keep on trying he finally got a little spark of hope from Jefferson. When he started talking and wanted the tub of ice cream was the first sign that the meetings were starting to go better. Once Jefferson got ahold of the journal was when things really started to click. In a way it was a chance for him to prove that he wasn't a hog because only men can write and not animals. Since Jefferson wanted to become a man he would keep on writing in the journal which showed Grant that he was making an improvement. At the beginning Grant didn't think he could even change him at all but by the end he knew he created a changed man who died as a man.
ReplyDeleteThe part that irritates me the most about this book is how the whole deciding process went down. I am almost certain that no black members were chosen for duty on this trial. So there was no one opposing the side of Jefferson. These white people most likely wanted him dead because that is a legal way for them to kill a black person. After they made their decision they probably went home and went on with their life without ever thinking about it. I can almost certainly guarantee if it was a white person who was accused of doing that crime there would be a way less harsh of a punishment. Maybe only ten years in prison compared to the death sentence. It is hard to believe that he was found guilty even though he didn't do it. There is just so much underlying racism in A Lesson Before Dying.
ReplyDeleteI agree, there is an outrageous amount of racism in this novel. Jefferson was tried and found guilty of a crime he didn't commit. That is most likely because he was black. White people had no respect for blacks back then.
DeleteI agree that the punishment would have been a lot different if it was a white person. I'm not defending the white people, or what they did to Jefferson, but he was the only one at the scene of the three murders, so there wasn't anyone to help him.
DeleteRacism seems to be an underlying theme in this novel. There are so many things in this story that would be considered terribly wrong and politically incorrect today. First off, it was an unfair trial. Jefferson was innocent, yet he was still given the death sentence. The jury was prejudiced against him just because he is black. There were no other blacks on the jury; it was made up solely of white people. Second, the way the whites expect the blacks to be uneducated. They get so offended when Grant uses correct grammar and such. The expect them to be “the niggers they were born to be.” Last, the schools are given secondhand supplies from the white schools. They are already in bad quality when they are received. Blacks and whites were not getting the same opportunities and the racism was outrageous.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting that during the trial, the jury defied the constitution in more ways than one. First it was the fourteenth amendment when they treated him differently and punished him because he was black. And then it was the sixth amendment (I think) when they accused him with little to no evidence. There was nothing that said that he did kill the shop owner, so it's still wrong even if he was white.
DeleteI agree. The trial was definitely unfair and it wasn't only that the jury was prejudiced against him, but his own lawyer was too, like when he called Jefferson a hog.
DeleteJefferson experiences a coming-of-age “hero journey” in A Lesson Before Dying. When he is caught on the crime scene he is nothing special; he’s just a boy. Being wrongfully accused of a crime is sort of like a call to adventure. He is given a major hardship. He doesn’t really seem to care; he seems like he has given up. He won’t talk or eat or do anything. He won’t even show is loving godmother a single sign of affection. This could be described as the pit of his hero journey. The point were he breaks through this barrier of despair is when Grant gives him that talk as they walk around the day room. Grant makes him realize that he can be the hero. He can be special and make a change. After this talk he realizes that he should show his appreciation to his aunt and by doing that he became a man. He came of age. He became a hero by walking to that chair, and doing it for his Nannan.
ReplyDeleteYour mapping of Jefferson's journey onto the universal hero-journey cycle is compelling. Inner transformation is at the heart of this story.
DeleteThere are a few ways that this story illuminates African American history and what they have been through. One of the ways, going back to the beginning of the book, all of the people that were in court were white. Even Jefferson's attorney, who was white, called him a hog and didn't even think twice about it. Another way that this story connects to African American history is all of the racism that shows up throughout the book, like when Grant had to speak a certain way because he wasn't supposed to sound like he had more of an education than the white men.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I also saw this when Miss Emma and Grant's aunt were in the presence of white people. They were very quiet and overly polite towards them as if they were inferior.
DeleteI don't think that this story connects with contemporary African American culture. First of all, people are more educated now, regardless of race. Jefferson was not as educated as other people and he certainly couldn't have gotten the same quality education that a white person would have gotten in the 1940's. Secondly, the black people in the book gave in more to the idea that they were inferior to white people. An example of this is when Miss Emma acted shy and humble when she was in the presence of Henri Pichot. Now, people would be more outraged at racism because of the Civil Rights Act.
ReplyDeleteI think there are some ways that this book does connect to contemporary African American culture. Like in the article we read in class about how there are more African American men in prisons today than there are white men in prisons. There were a lot of African American men in prison back in the 1940s and Jefferson is only one example of how when a white person accuses a black person of doing something then people are most likely going to take the white persons word over the black persons.
DeleteThe main character in the book, Grant Wiggens, comes of age in the book in ways that are slight yet important. He comes to realize that a person's faith does not make them weaker and stuck in the old ways. He also realizes that it's more important to do something for the people you love than to focus only on what you want. I think that Jefferson comes of age more than Grant, though. Jefferson learns that it's more important to stand for the people you care about than to cower for yourself. Also, the effects are more noticeable for Jefferson than for Grant.
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ReplyDeleteThe main character, Grant Wiggins, could be considered a hero, going back to the beginning of the book, because he listened to Miss Emma and tried to help Jefferson be a man instead of a hog. Listening is a trait necessary to being a hero. Grant didn’t give up on Jefferson. He and others tried to get through to him the only ways they knew how. Grant brought Jefferson a radio, which Jefferson wouldn’t leave. Heroes don't give up on their friends. That is only two ways that I would consider Grant Wiggins a hero.
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