The novel, A Lesson Before Dying, was written by Ernest J. Gaines and was published in 1993. This book is about a black man who is falsely accused of killing three men and has to learn how to become a man before his execution. “Easter was when they nailed Him to the cross. And He never said a mumbling word." (pg139) This quote from the book relates to the theme because like Jesus, Jefferson never spoke up. He never learned to fight for himself until the end of the book. Which would explain the title “a lesson before dying."
The book starts off with three men heading to a liquor store; Jefferson, Brother and Bear. With Jefferson not being involved, Brother and Bear begin an argument with the storeowner when they are not given their liquor. A shootout commenced. The storeowner, Brother and Bear were all killed leaving Jefferson being the only witness. He was arrested and tried for murder. In court, Jefferson's lawyer defends him yet calls him nothing but a fool and a hog. The jury pleads him guilty. Jefferson's grandmother, Miss Emma, was astonished by his lawyer's comment. She asked a well-educated man named Grant to help her make Jefferson a man before he is executed. Grant does not want to get involved but agrees. Grant visits Jefferson in his cell; he is nothing but moody and silent. He visits several times. Every time Grant tries to teach or even have a simple conversation with Jefferson, he is rejected. The forth visit goes well. Grant brings a notebook for Jefferson to write all of his thoughts in. On the next visit the notebook is filled. Throughout the next couple of weeks, he continues to write in it. His execution date is scheduled two weeks after Easter. He begins to get many more visitors in his cell; men, women and even children. He has become a great importance in the black community; many respect him now. On the day of the execution, Grant does not attend. He grew too close to Jefferson and watching it would have broken him into pieces. Although, in his class he had the students kneel for him in honor. Later, a deputy comes to Grant informing him that the execution is over. He said Jefferson was the bravest man in the room. The book then ends with Grant crying.
In the book A Lesson Before Dying, I feel like I could relate to Jefferson. Like him, I have been accused for things I did not do. No matter how much I tried to convince that I was innocent, no one would believe me and there was nothing I could do about it. Personally, I did not like the book and would not recommend it. I feel it was horribly written. Throughout most of the book, it becomes very off topic. The author wrote about pointless things the reader could do without. One thing I would definitely change in the book change in the book is the ending. It left a sorrow feeling and I wish it could have been more joyful. I was hoping that somehow Jefferson would have been overlooked and found innocent. I would not recommend this book.