In this Installment of, "A Lesson Before Dying," Jefferson's execution date is set. Everything that has happened in the last 50 pages has been centered around that.
Jefferson has really started to open up. Now that a date has been set, the execution is even more real. He knows exactly how much time he has to live. His mind is starting to clear. Grants hard work is starting to pay off. Jefferson's emotions are starting to come forth, and Jefferson does not no what to do with them. He says he wants a radio and ice cream, but those are just distractions. what he really wants, he knows he cannot have. However, he has realized that he needs distractions, that he cannot sit in his cell and think about dying for the rest of his life.
Grant wants to comfort Jefferson, but he does not know what to say. He tells Jefferson about his own life, because that is what he knows. The whole community has rallied around Jefferson, which helps him. He did not realize what he meant to everyone. Now that he is not filled with hate, he is realizing how much he is loved, and how much responsibility he carries. He wants to represent his people, but he needs Grants help.
On another note, Vivian is jealous of Irene, a school girl. Will it have an effect on Grant and Vivian's relationship? We will see...
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A Lesson Before Dying Entry #3
The Book is starting to unfold, so hopefully now I will have plenty to blog about. So far, Emma has had two meaningful visits with Jefferson. Grant Introduced Vivian to his Aunt, and had the Christmas program at the church/school.
We are finally getting to see some of Jefferson. Before, he was an obscure, undeveloped "other" kind of character. Someone who was discussed, but never developed. We probably won't get a chance to see what Jefferson was like before he was accused of murder, but it is obvious that he is now a very different person. His mind has been blown apart, and he cannot to put it back together when he is on death row. He has been Befuddled by his predicament. He still has feelings, but he has lost contact with them through the haze in his mind, caused by knowing that he will die an innocent man, and that there is nothing he can do about it. He says and does cruel things, but he doesn't mean them. Grant continues to visit him, and I think that he starting to be affected by Jefferson.
Grant and his aunt have a very interesting relationship, one which I can only begin to understand. Aunt Lou is intimidated by Vivian, because so far, she has been the most influential woman in Grant's life, and now Vivian is threatening that. Lou is afraid that Vivian will spirit Grant away, which is something that she definitely doesn't want. Grant and his Aunt's power struggle in the kitchen in front of the ladies showed that his Aunt is not unwilling to see a little bit of change.
I am gonna try to get another blog entry in tonight, but based on my past performance, that may not be possible.
We are finally getting to see some of Jefferson. Before, he was an obscure, undeveloped "other" kind of character. Someone who was discussed, but never developed. We probably won't get a chance to see what Jefferson was like before he was accused of murder, but it is obvious that he is now a very different person. His mind has been blown apart, and he cannot to put it back together when he is on death row. He has been Befuddled by his predicament. He still has feelings, but he has lost contact with them through the haze in his mind, caused by knowing that he will die an innocent man, and that there is nothing he can do about it. He says and does cruel things, but he doesn't mean them. Grant continues to visit him, and I think that he starting to be affected by Jefferson.
Grant and his aunt have a very interesting relationship, one which I can only begin to understand. Aunt Lou is intimidated by Vivian, because so far, she has been the most influential woman in Grant's life, and now Vivian is threatening that. Lou is afraid that Vivian will spirit Grant away, which is something that she definitely doesn't want. Grant and his Aunt's power struggle in the kitchen in front of the ladies showed that his Aunt is not unwilling to see a little bit of change.
I am gonna try to get another blog entry in tonight, but based on my past performance, that may not be possible.
Monday, January 26, 2009
A Lesson Before Dying Entry #2
OK, I need 3 more posts by tomorrow, so lets see what I can do.
So far, Grant has gotten his first shipment of firewood, has reflected on conversations with the old schoolteacher, and has seen Jefferson eat his godmothers food like a hog.
Grant is starting to act more like a man. He lied to Miss Emma about his visit with Jefferson, to save her the pain of knowing how her child was acting. Even though he was angry at her for forcing him to do it, he still showed compassion, even though it angered her, his aunt, and the preacher. He has made a verbal commitment with Vivian, although they have not actually started marriage plans. He Learned from and comforted the old schoolteacher, though they both hated each other. Grant is showing that he is not a child, and that maybe he will have something to teach to Jefferson.
We have learned a little bit more about Grants aunt. She acts tough towards Grant because he is smarter and has experienced more than her. she loves him, but does not know how to tell him or treat him. She is afraid that he will leave her for something better. She stands up for Emma because they are close friends, and Emma needs the support. Emma feels bad about making Grant help her, but even if she decided that she didn't want grant to help her out, Grants aunt would make him do it anyway. I feel that I am not far enough into the book to make any predictions. Also, I am quite tired, and I don't think I could write another blog entry.
So far, Grant has gotten his first shipment of firewood, has reflected on conversations with the old schoolteacher, and has seen Jefferson eat his godmothers food like a hog.
Grant is starting to act more like a man. He lied to Miss Emma about his visit with Jefferson, to save her the pain of knowing how her child was acting. Even though he was angry at her for forcing him to do it, he still showed compassion, even though it angered her, his aunt, and the preacher. He has made a verbal commitment with Vivian, although they have not actually started marriage plans. He Learned from and comforted the old schoolteacher, though they both hated each other. Grant is showing that he is not a child, and that maybe he will have something to teach to Jefferson.
We have learned a little bit more about Grants aunt. She acts tough towards Grant because he is smarter and has experienced more than her. she loves him, but does not know how to tell him or treat him. She is afraid that he will leave her for something better. She stands up for Emma because they are close friends, and Emma needs the support. Emma feels bad about making Grant help her, but even if she decided that she didn't want grant to help her out, Grants aunt would make him do it anyway. I feel that I am not far enough into the book to make any predictions. Also, I am quite tired, and I don't think I could write another blog entry.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A Lesson Before Dying, Entry #1
I have decided to read A Lesson Before Dying for my first independent reading book in American Lit. So far, Jefferson has been sentenced to death, and Grant has been charged with making him a man before his execution. Grant does not want to, but he will try, as long as the sheriff gives him the okay, which he has.
Being that i have only read about 50 pages, and this is my first book analysis blog, please don't expect too much.
Grant is a young man who, after living in the deep south on a plantation, is very eager too leave his childhood home. he has been to University, but is still kept under the hoof of oppression. although an educated man, he is still expected to talk and act like a typical black servant or worker. i believe that he wants to run away from this place because he is one of the few people that defies the plantation owners' image of a black man. being an educated person, he is looked up to and respected in his community, but he has been given a higher level of responsibility, which is not something that he wants.
The woman he wishes to marry, Vivian, understands how he feels, and tries to help him make the right choices for himself, because she wants him to be a more responsible person. If they are ever to be married, then he will have to help her raise her children and still have a job.
Grant does not wish to talk to Jefferson about becoming a man. Grant teaches school kids how to read, write, and do math, but feels uncomfortable about teaching someone how to be a man. This is because Grant does not know what being a man means. He is clearly not much of a man himself. he bickers with his aunt, shows childish temper problems, and shirks from responsibility. he cannot teach what he does not know.
Being that i have only read about 50 pages, and this is my first book analysis blog, please don't expect too much.
Grant is a young man who, after living in the deep south on a plantation, is very eager too leave his childhood home. he has been to University, but is still kept under the hoof of oppression. although an educated man, he is still expected to talk and act like a typical black servant or worker. i believe that he wants to run away from this place because he is one of the few people that defies the plantation owners' image of a black man. being an educated person, he is looked up to and respected in his community, but he has been given a higher level of responsibility, which is not something that he wants.
The woman he wishes to marry, Vivian, understands how he feels, and tries to help him make the right choices for himself, because she wants him to be a more responsible person. If they are ever to be married, then he will have to help her raise her children and still have a job.
Grant does not wish to talk to Jefferson about becoming a man. Grant teaches school kids how to read, write, and do math, but feels uncomfortable about teaching someone how to be a man. This is because Grant does not know what being a man means. He is clearly not much of a man himself. he bickers with his aunt, shows childish temper problems, and shirks from responsibility. he cannot teach what he does not know.
Monday, January 19, 2009
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