Before Dying. Share one of yours and explain why it appeals to you so much. (This post closes at midnight September 2, 2009.)
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Until...
"And that's all we are...all of us on this earth, a piece of drifting wood, until we-each one of us, individually-decide to become something else." This is one of my favorite lines in A Lesson 
Before Dying. Share one of yours and explain why it appeals to you so much. (This post closes at midnight September 2, 2009.)
Before Dying. Share one of yours and explain why it appeals to you so much. (This post closes at midnight September 2, 2009.)
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7 comments:
In A LESSON BEFORE DYING, Paul is an amazing character; he does not act as if he is superior to the black people. After the execution, Paul tells Grant, “Allow me to be your friend, Grant Wiggins. I don’t ever want to forget this day. I don’t ever want to forget him.” (Ch.31 p.255) This quote in the novel makes me smile on the inside. Paul knows that Grant is a good person, and Paul is not afraid to defy society by being friends with a black man. Also, Paul admires Jefferson because Jefferson never complains of his unfair punishment. In the novel, A LESSON BEFORE DYING, my favorite quote comes from the mouth of Paul, a white man who is not prejudice.
GG0
My favorite line of A LESSON BEFORE DYING by Ernest J. Gaines is,"when i was a litle boy i was a waterboy an rode the cart but now i got to be a man and set in a cher (234)." This particular quote comes directly from Jefferson in the form of his diary. I find it so inspiring because he realizes the importance of walking to the chair like a man and not being afraid. I think that this is the most powerful quote in the entire novel.
BK 0
My favorite quote from A LESSON BEFORE DYING by Ernest J. Gaines is a small section of the speech that Reverend Mose Ambrose gives Grant while they are discussing Grant's faith and how his beliefs may influence the destination of Jefferson's soul after death. Reverend Ambrose tells Grant,
"That's why you look down on me, because you know I lie...I lie at wakes and funerals to relieve pain. 'Cause reading, writing, and 'rithmetic is not enough...They sent you to school to relieve pain, to relieve hurt--and if you have to lie to do it, then you lie. You lie and you lie... And that's the difference between me and you boy; that make me the educated one and you the gump. I know my people. I know what they gone through"(218).
This passage appeals to me because it shows how "book smarts" mean little when dealing with relationships involving family and friends. Though I study to do well in school, like Grant, I have trouble telling lies to people just to make them feel better emotionally. This passage helps me to understand that a lie can sometimes be better than the truth if that lie is used to help someone in pain, such as Miss Emma or Jefferson. I believe that this short passage reveals the reverend's overlooked wisdom even though he lacks a formal education. As a result, I think that many people could learn much from the wisdom of Reverend Ambrose's short, compelling speech.
BS-0
When I read A Lesson Before Dying, one part stood out and affected me like no other. It comes from Jefferson’s diary: “lord have merce sweet jesus mr wigin where all them peple come from when you ax me if some chiren can com up here an speak to me i didn kno you was meanin all them chiren in yo clas an jus sitin ther on the flo all quite in they clean close lookin at me an I coud see som was scard o me but mos was brave an spoke an my litle cosin estel even com up an kiss me on the jaw an i coudn hol it back no mo” (230). The passage immediately created a strong mental image that blurred my eyes with tears. Before now, Jefferson has never realized the impact he has made in the community or known the great number of people who care about him. All the schoolchildren gathered in his cell help show Jefferson that he is loved. I love how much Jefferson is affected by the small gesture of a kiss from his young cousin Estelle, because it reveals his sensitivity; but my favorite part about this passage is Jefferson’s noticeable tone of surprise at the sight of so many young faces looking at him in awe.
JJ-0
In A LESSON BEFORE DYING by Ernest J. Gaines, a quote in chapter twenty-four really speaks to me. "those out there are no better than we are, Jefferson. They are worse. That's why they are alwayws looking for a scapegoat, someone else to blame. I want you to whow them the difference between what they think you are and what you can be. To them, you're nothing but another nigger-no dignity, no heart, no love for your people. you can prove them wrong. You can do more than I ever could," (191-1920).
This quote is how Grant is trying to explain to Jefferson that his death is important. This quote is so powerful because it shows Jefferson that his death can still affect the people in the community; Jefferson can finally find a way to stand-up to the white man and portray a black man's dignity. This is the right opportunity to show everybody what Jefferson is worth. This is my favorite quote because Jefferson finally learns that he can still do something positive and dignified for his community.
KH 0
"Through the branches of the tree I could see the sky, blue and lovely and clear. "You Are My Sunshine" was playing on the radio. Jefferson turned his back to the window and looked at me. "Me, Mr. Wiggins. Me. Me to take the cross. Your cross, nannan's cross, my own cross. Me, Mr. Wiggins...Y'all axe a lot."(224)
I love this quote because Jefferson finally begins to realize what he must do. He knows that he must die with dignity for not only himself, but also the people of his community. He also knows this act is of the greatest importance. Through acknowledging the sacrifice he must make Jefferson gains his lesson before dying and becomes a true hero.
LB 0
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