A Lesson Before Dying Journal #4

Rachel Simmons

Mrs. Myers

Period 4 AP E

11/2/14

Journal #4 (chapters 25-27)

      To answer your question about the radio, I think that it was a comfort to Jefferson. He most likely had never had his own radio. It was a description of how music can take people away from their current situations and touch their lives. After getting the radio Jefferson was much more receptive to what Grant had to say to him. If you treat someone like they matter they will begin to believe it, and I think that is what Grant is doing for Jefferson.

      As to the ending of the novel, I only have one idea. I think that Jefferson will be killed as planned, so far there has not been any indication that his conviction will be altered. However, before his death he will truly believe that he is a man. Grant will learn a lesson about what humanity really is and perhaps when he and Vivian move away he will study law and help others like Jefferson. I would love to see Grant help people see themselves as humans who have been told otherwise. I think that Grant would also make a great lawyer for African Americans who face injustice.

      What do you think of the tension between the minister and Grant? Do you see it as education vs. religion? The first time that Grant actually acknowledges the tension is when he debates to tell Vivian about it. He thinks to himself “the minister, thought that since Jefferson had only a short time left to live, it should be he in control and not I”(pg 196). They are both trying to help Jefferson, but they do not like each other. Do you think that the minister should be the only one to help Jefferson, should only Grant help him, or should they work together? Could they even work together?

      In addition, I thought that the fight in chapter 25 was a huge turning point for Grant. It showed how much he was willing to stick up for Jefferson. I think that he was in the right for standing up to those racist jerks. Vivian said that Grant did not have to fight and he “could have stopped it” (pg 205). Do you think that Grant was justified in fighting the bricklayer or should he have merely ignored them?