OPPapers.com Essay Index >> Book Reports >> Lesson Before Dying
We have many free term papers and essays on Lesson Before Dying. We also have a wide variety of research papers and book reports available to you for free. You can browse our collection of term papers or use our search engine.
A Lesson Before Dying. A Lesson Before Dying I thought that the book A
Lesson Before Dying was all right overall. I think Ernest ...
A Lesson Before Dying. A Lesson Before Dying I thought that the book A
Lesson Before Dying was all right overall. I think Ernest ...
a lesson before dying. Love and Family Relationships In A Lesson Before Dying,
Mr. Grant Wiggins' life crises were the center of the story. ...
A Lesson Before Dying. ... Several characters in Ernest Gaines' A Lesson Before
Dying experienced this, particularly Jefferson and Grant. ...
a lesson before dying critique. ... Vancil initiates the criticism of A lesson Before
Dying in an old-fashioned, excessive religious genre of attitudes. ...
Submitted by oppapers on April 28, 2001
Category: Book Reports
Words: 1037 | Pages: 5
Views: 2680
Popularity Rank: 648
Average Member Grade: N/A (Add a Comment / Grade this Paper)
The ending of A Lesson Before Dying gives the reader a sense of despair and then portrays a sense of optimism. Gaines' writing is unique because the reader feels this hope for the future and optimism without Gaines having to say it. Instead, he wrote about the execution and the hope was picked up from the "little things." At the reader feels disappointed because Jefferson has died. The optimism comes into play through Grant and the fact that he has learned his lesson(s) from Jefferson. It is also uplifting because Jefferson has died with dignity on the day meant for him. I think that Gaines also throws a curve in at the end through the character of Paul whose purpose seems to stress the hope for the future of Blacks in a white society.
When I first finish reading the novel, the very end was most significant. "I went up to the desk and turned to face them. I was crying."(p.256). These last words are appropriate because they convey exactly how I felt as I finish the book, and how I think that Grant should feel. Throughout the novel I saw Grant as hard and unfeeling. He only went to see Jefferson out of respect for his aunt. Then at the end the reader saw him change to a person who was compassionate about Jefferson. This showed promise and hope for the future of Grant as a caring human being who just might learn to appreciate what he has been given.
After I finished the novel, I reread the last chapter because I felt like I had missed something. It was then that I noticed the little things that make the end as powerful as it is. "It was a nice day. Blue sky. Not a cloud." (p.247). Grant was describing the setting for the day of the execution. A man, wrongly accused and wrongly sentenced, was going to die on the perfect day. This quote, though not significant to any other part of the novel, stood out to me because it showed hope for the day. It created a sense of happiness and calmness on an otherwise horrific event.
Another thing also stood...
You must Login to view the entire paper.
If you are not a member yet, Sign Up for free!