Jefferson faces his death with dignity, which he learns in part from his interact with Grant. Critic Beavers notes, "Though Jefferson's death is certain, Grant's task -- which becomes Jefferson's legacy -- is to impart some of himself, to demonstrate to Jefferson a way to improvise upon a negative situation till he discovers dignity and purpose" (Beavers 31). Each man learns something valuable from the other, and that is another major point of the novel. Gaines is showing the reader they can learn from anyone, no matter how "insignificant" they may seem. Everyone has a lesson and everyone can be a pupil, no matter who they are or what they do in life.
The theme of the novel is quite clear. Gaines' purpose in writing this novel is to illustrate how each person is valuable as a human being. Those with the most courage inspire others to live their lives with courage and compassion. Critic Beavers continues, "When Jefferson accepts his impending death, signified by the diary he keeps, he embraces his humanity by asserting a reflectiveness previously thought to be beyond his grasp. As he dies, the children in school praying for him have written evidence that argues his value, and theirs, as a human being" (Beavers 174). Thus, Jefferson inspires the entire town to become better people, and he teaches the townspeople about strength during adversity. He faces his impending death with dignity and is an inspiration to those who watch him. He dies so that the town can grow and prosper spiritually, just as Christ died for his "brothers and sisters." Jefferson is depicted as a simple "fool," but the real fools are the people who cannot learn from him and turn his lessons into happiness and growth in their own lives.
Gaines wrote this novel in 1993, which indicates to the reader he feels there is still injustice and prejudice in how whites deals with blacks in this country. An all-white jury wrongly convicts Jefferson of a murder he did not commit. He does not even contest the decision. That is pure hopelessness, and indicates how much still wants in America's race relations. The novel is a model of injustice, and sadly, that is not uncommon in American society. Gaines points out the imbalance between poor and rich, black and white that still exists decades after the Civil Rights movement was supposed to end these injustices. Certainly, the novel is set in the 1940s, before civil rights reform, but it still could happen today, and that is the point Gaines is trying to weave into the theme of the novel.
In conclusion, this moving novel shows the spiritual growth of two men that eventually leads to the spiritual growth of the entire town. Some critics have likened Jefferson's character to Jesus, and it is easy to see that symbolism in the novel. Whether Jefferson was a Christ-figure or not, the novel certainly gets its point across to the reader. Each person is an integral part of humanity, and understanding another helps people gain a deeper understanding of themselves, as well. This novel is an important American work and it should be required reading in all American schools.
References
Beavers, Herman. Wrestling Angels into Song: The Fictions of Ernest J. Gaines and James Alan McPherson. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1995.
Gaines, Ernest J. A Lesson Before Dying. New York: Alfred Knopf, 1993.
