Summary:
Considers how people guide others to do their bidding. References A Lesson Before Dying (Ernest Gaines) and Thank You, Ma'am (Langston Hughes). Considers which characters in these texts exhibits leadership qualities.
Society is made up of leaders and followers. While many wants to, not all can be leaders. A leader is somebody who guides or directs others by showing them the way. A leader is someone that can influence people. He is someone that people want to follow and respect, makes good decisions, can think quickly. He is self-confident, and knows what to do next. A leader is someone who can guide others to their own empowerment. "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes and A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines illustrate people guiding others to their own empowerment by developing dynamic characters. However, in "Thank You, Ma'am" we only see the point of view of the guide in the relationship between people guiding others to their own empowerment.
Jefferson learns he can have his own empowerment instead of being told how to act. Jefferson is led to his own empowerment when he discovers his ability to not let the town categorize him as the stereotypical black young man. Jefferson writes in his journal, "when I was a little boy I was a waterboy an rode the cart but now I got to be a in a cher" (Gaines 234) In the beginning, Jefferson blames himself for everything. He turns away from everyone that tries to help him. Later on he finally understand that he has to change to teach a lesson to the white folks. He has to show that he has his own empowerment and he can make his decision in how he dies. Jefferson's most defining moment is when he finally shows society just who it is exactly that he wants to be remembered as, a man standing.
Grant learns that he is able to guide Jefferson and that he's just not some other black man that thinks they can do nothing to change society. In knowing that, Grant discovers he is not only a teacher to the young children at his school but, he is the only young educated black man in the town because everyone else left for a better life with a new family. He is the one that can teach a lesson and guide Jefferson to believe that he has power in his choices in life. Grant is guided by Miss Emma and his aunt to his own empowerment or the self confidence that he uses to help Jefferson. Grant guides Jefferson into believing that he can change himself.
A Lesson Before Dying shows the guider and the guided. However, in "Thank You, Ma'am" we only see the point of view of the guider. Mrs. Jones is the guider for Roger. She tries to help him with his problems with poverty. Mrs. Jones says, "You ought to be my son. I would teach you right from wrong. Least I can do right now is to wash your fact. Are you hungry"" (Hughes 122) Mrs. Jones is guiding Roger to his own empowerment so he can escape from poverty. She helps him by cleaning him up and guiding him in the right direction.
Leadership is an intangible subject. It is easy to recognize leadership when we see it, but difficult to analyze what it is and how it occurs. The principal characteristics of leaders appear unaffected through the phases that comes with time. There are many different types of leaders out there, from political figures, to mystics, to warriors, to teachers. All types have been seen throughout the course of history. They guide others, as well as themselves, to their own empowerment. Grant, Jefferson, and Mrs. Jones are as fine of examples as any.
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