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A Lesson Before Dying
Ernest J. Gaines
Study Guide
Summary
Plot Overview
Summary & Analysis
Chapters 1–2
Chapters 3–5
Chapters 6–8
Chapters 9–12
Chapters 13–15
Chapters 16–18
Chapters 19–21
Chapters 22–24
Chapters 25–28
Chapter 29: Jefferson’s Diary
Chapters 30–31
Characters
Character List
Grant Wiggins
Jefferson
Sheriff Sam Guidry
Tante Lou
Main Ideas
Themes
Motifs
Symbols
Key Facts
Quotes
Important Quotations Explained
Quotes By Theme
Justice/Injustice
Redemption
The Past
Quotes By Section
Chapters 1–2
Chapters 3–5
Chapters 6–8
Chapters 9–12
Chapters 13–15
Chapters 16–18
Chapters 19–21
Chapters 22–24
Chapters 25–28
Chapter 29: Jefferson’s Diary
Chapters 30–31
Quotes By Character
Grant Wiggins
Jefferson
Vivian
Miss Emma
Reverend Ambrose
Further Study
Context
Full Book Quiz
Section Quizzes
Context
Plot Overview
Character List
Analysis of Major Characters
Themes, Motifs & Symbols
Chapters 1–2
Chapters 3–5
Chapters 6–8
Chapters 9–12
Chapters 13–15
Chapters 16–18
Chapters 19–21
Chapters 22–24
Chapters 25–28
Chapter 29: Jefferson’s Diary
Chapters 30–31
Study Questions
Suggestions for Further Reading
Writing Help
How to Write Literary Analysis
Suggested Essay Topics
How to Cite This SparkNote
Full Book Quiz
Further study
Full Book Quiz
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1
. Where does this novel take place?
In eastern Mississippi
On a former plantation in Louisiana
In Baton Rouge
Near Gainesville, Florida
2
. Why did Grant refuse to go to the trial?
He knew what the outcome would be.
He did not want to sit in the “Negroes” section.
He has never liked Jefferson.
He is spending the weekend with his girlfriend, Vivian.
3
. Why does Jefferson say he took the money from the cash register?
Because he needed it and he thought no one would know
Because he forgot that Brother put it in his pocket
Because he felt he had earned it
Because he wanted to buy his nanna a present
4
. What reason does Jefferson’s lawyer give for sparing Jefferson’s life?
He did not intend to kill anyone.
The children of the town should not have to witness an execution.
His conviction will set an unfortunate precedent.
He is no better than a fool or a hog.
5
. What is Miss Emma’s relation to Jefferson?
Older sister
Godmother
Aunt
Grandmother
6
. What does Grant Wiggins teach?
High school
A remedial reading course
Math and science for adults
Primer through sixth grades
7
. Where is Grant’s school located?
In the storeroom of a bar
In the church
Next to the Pichot barn
A block away from the white school
8
. What does Louis Rougon want to bet Henri Pichot when Grant visits the Pichot house for the second time?
That the execution will take place before Valentine’s Day
That Grant will fail to teach Jefferson anything
That Jefferson will be found innocent on appeal
That Miss Emma will die within a month of Jefferson’s death
9
. Why is Vivian reluctant to spend the night with Grant?
She is not yet divorced and her husband might find out.
She is afraid of commitment.
She does not want to get pregnant.
Neither of them lives alone.
10
. Why does Miss Emma hit Jefferson during her visit to his cell?
He spits on Reverend Ambrose.
He tells her that he is only a hog being fattened up for the slaughter.
He throws her food on the ground.
He insults Vivian.
11
. Why does Miss Emma want to meet with Jefferson in the dayroom?
She thinks the sun will do him good.
She needs a table on which to serve him food.
There is no room to sit down in his cell.
She is afraid to be with him in a confined space.
12
. Why didn’t Vivian’s family like her husband?
Because he was poor
Because he was a common laborer
Because he was dark-skinned
Because he was prone to drinking
13
. What event directly follows the superintendent’s visit?
The arrival of wood for the winter
The final confirmation of Jefferson’s execution date
The Christmas program
Grant’s mental breakdown
14
. How does Grant gather enough money to buy Jefferson a radio?
He borrows from the Claibornes and several other people at the Rainbow Club.
He saves for over a month.
He asks Vivian for it.
He takes it from Miss Emma’s savings.
15
. How do Tante Lou and Miss Emma get Grant to visit Jefferson alone?
By offering to pay him
By insisting that Miss Emma is ill
By appealing to Vivian for help
By talking to the superintendent
16
. Sheriff Guidry warns Grant that he will lose his visiting privileges if which of the following happens?
There is any sign of aggravation in Jefferson
He doesn’t agree to help Guidry control Jefferson
His wife leaves town
He continues to disrespect the deputies
17
. What do Grant’s students send Jefferson?
A bag of marbles
A bag of peanuts and pecans
A small radio
A birthday card
18
. At the Christmas program, Reverend Ambrose makes a subtle reference to which of the following?
Grant’s faithlessness
Jefferson’s false imprisonment
Miss Emma’s illness
The state of the church
19
. Why does Grant get in a fight with two mulatto men in a bar?
They call Vivian a whore.
They call him a nigger.
They gloat over Jefferson’s fate.
They run into him when he is in a foul mood.
20
. Jefferson admits to Grant that he would like his last meal to be which of the following?
A gallon of vanilla ice cream
A bucket of his godmother’s fried chicken
A giant steak
A glass of water
21
. How does Grant get Jefferson’s notebook?
He asks the sheriff for it after the execution.
He finds it on the ground outside Jefferson’s cell.
Paul delivers it to him.
Tante Lou brings it to his classroom.
22
. How does the chair arrive at the courthouse?
On a covered truck
On an old wagon
In the back of a converted hearse
In a huge crate labeled “Produce”
23
. What does the sheriff do the morning of Jefferson’s execution?
He takes a long bath.
He asks Grant to attend the proceedings.
He eats a big breakfast.
He fires Paul.
24
. Who shaves Jefferson before the execution?
Murphy
The executioner
Sheriff Guidry
Grant
25
. Who informs Grant that the execution is over?
Paul the deputy
The executioner
Sheriff Guidry
Tante Lou
Previous section
Context
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Context Quick Quiz
A Lesson Before Dying: Popular pages
CHARACTERS
Character List
CHARACTERS
Grant Wiggins: Character Analysis
QUOTES
Quotes by Theme
MAIN IDEAS
Themes
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