Prompt 2: Choose a character in a novel or play of your choice (from the AP List!) and write about the conflict(s) that arise since they are in conflict with the society they are from. This may be socially, religiously, and/or morally. Dig deep! You should also address whether your character comes to a good/bad fate due to this conflict(s).
The Greatest Life Lesson
In the novel A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, Grant, the cynical and apathetic protagonist, faces internal conflicts that manifest into external conflicts with his surrounding community. Grant’s conflicts stem from his confusion about his identity, purpose in life, and place in society. Faced with self-doubt fueled by an atmosphere filled with racism, Grant abandons his African American background by shunning religion and the problems faced by the black community. By abandoning his faith, Grant is placed in a position of constant conflict with everyone from his aunt to the black priest of the community. Ignoring his African American background doesn’t improve Grant’s position in society – the white community continues to treat Grant as less than human. Completely alienated from society, Grant is only able to abandon his cynical attitude after the unjustified execution of Jefferson, an uneducated African American.
Grant grows up before the Civil Rights Movement in Louisiana, where the racist attitude of the white community causes unequal treatment for African Americans. This inequality is shown in the trial of Jefferson, a young African American who was in a liquor store when the owner was shot and killed. By simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time and because he is black, Jefferson is sentenced to death for the murder of the white shopkeeper even though he is completely innocent.
The trial and prosecution of Jefferson serves as a backdrop to Grant’s conflicts. Since Grant is a schoolteacher and the only educated African American in his small community, Grant is practically forced by his aunt to make Jefferson a “man” before his execution. Grant resents his aunt’s demands, believing that nothing could be done for Jefferson. Nevertheless, Grant visits Jefferson in his jail cell and is appalled at Jefferson’s behavior – believing that he is nothing more than a hog, Jefferson acts like an animal and refuses to listen to Grant.
Under constant pressure from his aunt, Grant continues to visit Jefferson and slowly makes progress until finally Jefferson starts to talk to Grant. As the two men begin to form a close bond of friendship, Grant is forced to confront his issues about how society treats him. Feeling that he is unable to change anything, Grant takes out his frustration on Vivian, his girlfriend. Vivian, however, is an extremely strong character and forces Grant to either leave her or to solve his issues.
As Jefferson’s execution date is set and draws nearer, Grant buys Jefferson a radio and a notebook. Both of these items help Grant make significant progress with Jefferson – because of the radio, Jefferson is willing to talk to Grant, while the notebook allows Jefferson to share his thoughts openly without judgment.
The few days before the execution mark a tremendous change in Jefferson. Jefferson has accepted his fate and his responsibility to the black community to die with honor. Jefferson’s bravery and courage in the face of an imminate and unjustified death deeply move Grant.
On the day of the electrocution, Grant is unable to make himself go to the courthouse for Jefferson. After receiving Jefferson’s notebook from Paul, the kind white policeman, Grant learns that Jefferson walked like a man to the electric chair. Feeling overwhelmed by the death of his new friend and the “lesson” that Jefferson had taught him, Grant starts to cry.
Jefferson had taught Grant two important lessons through his death. The first lesson is that any injustice can only be solved by action. Grant had cynically complained about the treatment he received from white society but had never done anything to stop it. By walking proudly as a man instead of like a defeated animal, Jefferson inspires the community to take action against injustice.
Finally, the second and most important lesson that Grant learns is to be proud of your identity and to not let others decide what you make of yourself. Grant shaped himself to the expectations of white society because he never tried to improve his situation. By walking like a man when the white community wanted Jefferson to crawl like an animal, Jefferson shows Grant that he should embrace and accept his individuality instead of letting others mold him into whatever they want.
In A Lesson Before Dying, Grant is only able to solve his conflicts with society and within himself after the death of Jefferson. By learning to accept himself and to take action against injustice, Grant finally embraces Jefferson’s lesson and starts to positively change his fate by helping his community.
