Summary:
Grant's shifting relationship with Jefferson, Explores Grants humilation through his visit to the jailhouse, and the lesson he has learned while teaching Jefferson.
Grant's relationship with Jefferson goes from one of obligation to pure concern and care. When Miss Emma first tells Grant to teach Jefferson to become a man he is resentful and only continues to complete the request because of the constant pressures and threats he receives from his aunt. Grant does not even care for the outcome of this innocent man, soon to be put to death for a crime he did not commit. Grant exerts a very selfish characteristic; unaware of the true value this human will have in his life. After days of consequential visits, the bond between the two men grows tighter, shifting from the status of teacher and student to friends. Jefferson confides with Grant about his secrets showing the existence of trust found only between friends. Grant performs a series of diminutive tasks that indicate a non-formal relationship such as going out of his way and even gaining debt in order to buy him a radio. Grant finds himself growing attached to this man that he once considered nothing more than a pig.
Grant faces humiliation as he visits Jefferson, forcing him to reevaluate his own prejudices. As he enters the jailhouse he is forced to a complete search of all his goods, a process whites almost never have to go through. This angers Grant because this not only degrades him but also shows that no matter how educated a black man may become; he will never be equal even to the most uneducated white man.
Grant has been trying to escape and deny his pure black heritage through gaining an education and yet this has proven to be an unsuccessful attempt. Paul Bonin, a white officer at the jailhouse, treats Grant kindly and with respect yet follow the rules only because he is forced to. Grant has found hope in the white race and a potential for future improvement for the balancing of equalities between the races. Grant wipes out his theory that all white men are bad and also realizes that it is really the law and his segregated community that is restricting his ability to be an equal in society. Years of studying may not have been a total waste for his cause after all...
Through his lessons with Jefferson, Grant expels many of his doubts therefore realizing the value of the community. Grant ventures out to buy Jefferson a radio as a cause of his concern for his well-being. He finds a great amount of help amidst his community who are willing to lend money for a righteous cause. The community's concern for Jefferson is evident. When a group of the community kids send their concerns for Jefferson, Grant witness in his eyes a priceless happiness of reason for existence upon the planet. This show of people that care for him was a great boost to his degraded to an inhuman ego and reassures him of his innocence. A well-bonded community serves as a backbone to an individual and roots one may turn to when in need of support, joy or a home. Through these events, Grant himself learns the connotation other people's cares have on one individual's life purpose.
This is the complete article, containing 529 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
