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A Lesson Before Dying

 Ernest J. Gaines
 

Key Facts

 
full title  · A Lesson Before Dying
 
author  · Ernest J. Gaines
 
type of work  · Novel
 
genre  · Fiction; historical fiction; social commentary
 
language  · American English
 
date of first publication  · 1993
 
publisher  · Vintage Books
 
narrator  · Grant Wiggins
 
point of view  · First person
 
tone  · Grant's narrative voice reflects his changing moods, shifting from brooding cynicism to awareness and confidence.
 
tense  · Past
 
setting (time)  · 1940s
 
setting (place)  · Bayonne, Louisiana
 
protagonist  · Grant Wiggins
 
major conflict  · Grant and Jefferson struggle to help Jefferson die with dignity.
 
rising action  · Grant's regular visits to Jefferson's jail cell; Jefferson's reaction of anger and silence
 
climax  · Grant gives a passionate speech to Jefferson, and both men cry.
 
falling action  · Jefferson becomes thoughtful and brave and dies an admirable death.
 
themes  · Recognizing injustice and facing responsibility; redemption in death; the inescapable past
 
motifs  · Constructive lying; small displays of power; Christian imagery
 
symbols  · The notebook; the chair; the church; food and drink
 
 
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