Success

As a class, we have just recently read a couple of, in my opinion, very important chapters of “A Lesson Before Dying”. I feel that the latest chapters (21-23) have contained the times where Grant has made the most progress. I finally think that he truly cares about Jefferson, and Jefferson sees that as well, as is seen in their growing connection. I am not 100% sure yet about who is the hero in “A Lesson Before Dying”, but these recent scenes have helped me to think that Grant could make a great hero. His journey to the jail cell each day has finally started to make changes in his mentality.

             The first breakthrough occurs when Grant goes to visit Jefferson. At first it didn’t seem like anything special and, as usual, Grant was not too excited about having to do this “chore”. Yet for some reason, Jefferson was willing to talk! He tells Grant that he wants a lot of ice cream for his last meal. Although this really didn’t seem too important, it triggered something in Grant who then decided that he would go out and get a radio for Jefferson to listen to. This is a pretty generous act by Grant which I saw as a big step towards the heroic role Grant will probably take.

            The following day, when Grant brings the radio, it is a success. Seeing Jefferson have some enjoyment in his life really made me happy as a reader, and it made Grant happy too. The only issue was that his aunt does not approve of the radio, yet in my opinion I don’t think it really matters because the radio helped Grant get closer to Jefferson. The rest of the chapter was more and more success. Grant gives Jefferson some pecans and Jefferson even asks Grant to thank his students for the nuts! Grant was really happy after this breakthrough, and things are looking up for Jefferson becoming the man his family wants him to be.

            Reading these last few chapters, there were a lot of upbeat moments, and it felt weird in the context of Jefferson’s execution. I think that I was just happy that Grant was achieving his goal and possibly becoming the hero of the book. We just have to see if there is continued success.