Summary:
In A "Lesson Before Dying", the main character Mr. Grant Wiggins is depicted as, a heroic, rounded character dealing with life crises. Grant is the novel's protagonist, with many internal and external conflicts.
In A "Lesson Before Dying", the main character Mr. Grant Wiggins is depicted as, a heroic, rounded character dealing with life crises. Grant is the novel's protagonist, with many internal and external conflicts. In the novel it was hard to fully indicate who was the antagonist, because Grant thought that many people where in opposition to his theme of escape from oppression. Grant considers some of the minor characters his opposition, but he did not know how to express himself. Jefferson and Grants relationship tremendously impacted each others lives by working together. Their relationship gives the reader a since of brotherhood, and trust both men have many of the same external conflicts and the temporal setting has negatively impacted their lives.
Grant's many internal and external conflicts, greatly played in the development of this major character. The temporal setting of the time, affect his internal conflicts with his self. Grant feels he is and educated black man who, should not be objected to discrimination. He feels that white people think he is stupid, Grant becomes bitter because of his treatment and often fantasies about escaping from this small town. A lot of Grants internal conflicts, are brought on by his external conflicts such as, the white oppressors of the town. He wants to be treated like a man, wants to be recognized for his accomplishments by his white peers. Grant never stands up for his self out of fear which, in turn keeps him in deep in thought. Grant is well respected though out his community but, feels he is superior to the other black citizens because of his education. The reader, ultimately feel some sense of sympathy for him but, realizes that he is the hero and the burden barrier for his community.
It is unclear who is the major antagonist in the novel is it, Tante Lou, Miss Emma, Sheriff Sam Guidry, or the Reverend. Sheriff Guidry an authoritarian man who runs the prison in Bayonne. Guidry resents anyone who violate on his domain, especially blacks like Grant and Miss Emma. He provides blacks with a small amount of freedom and opportunity while maintaining an overbearing, white controlling superstructure. Grant often feels his aunt is in opposition to him also because she keeps making him go up to the jail to visit Jefferson. Grant feels there is no need to visit. He has lost hope and also f does not want to face Jefferson for he will have to deal with inner conflicts within him.
Grants' relationship with his Aunt declined in the novel, although it was never very strong. His aunt treated him like he should be a "hog" and always obeys, yet she wanted him to make a "hog" into a man. Tante Lou was not very pleasant; she would only show kindness towards people who shared many of her views, and therefore a very hard person to get along with. Tante Lou's character is flat and predictable because she shows Mr. Wiggins little understanding when he finally stands up for him self. "You going with us up the quarter, my aunt said as though I hadn't said a word. You going up there with us, Grant, or you don't sleep in this house." Tante Lou's lack of understanding and stubborn behavior gives an in-depth vision of her personality without viewing her thoughts.
In the beginning of the novel, Grant hated Jefferson, after a while he became Jefferson's friend and the only person Jefferson confided in. The turning point in their relationship was when Jefferson told Grant he wanted a whole gallon of ice cream. Jefferson wanted a whole gallon of ice cream because his whole life he never had enough ice cream. Jefferson surprised the reader with that statement and Grant realized that Jefferson had more in common with each other than he considered. The author paints a vivid picture for the reader allowing the reader to see the light bulb come on in Grant's mind. "I saw a slight smile come to his face, and it was not a bitter smile. Not bitter at all." Boundaries between Jefferson and Grant are broken and the gates to communication are now open. Once Jefferson stated he had real feelings he became a man and not a hog. The novel shows that Jefferson didn't show any form of emotion before the shooting or after up until that point. A hog can't show emotion, but a man can. Grant, at this point also realizes his purpose in life is to help others and he started to like visiting Jefferson. As their relationship grew stronger, their roles also reversed, Jefferson put things into perspective for Grant.
The minor characters affect on the story's plot and their impact on the protagonist. The story begins with the death of three characters by the name of Brother, Bear, and Mr. Grope. Jefferson was visiting with these men, unknowing of their plans followed them to the store in which Mr. Grope owned. If Jefferson hadn't of went into that store, he would of never been unjustly tried and convicted of a crime he never committed. Without the jurors, In turn, Grant would still be really self absorbed, and hopeless, his interaction with Jefferson gave him hope. Vivian was Grant's girl friend she showed a different side of Mr. Wiggins. Vivian is his escape from all the adversities that he faces. Vivian provides a sense of comfort for him.
This is the complete article, containing 901 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page).
