Summary
Good by mr wigin tell them im strong
tell them im a man
(See Important Quotations Explained)
This chapter consists of Jefferson’s diary. Jefferson
has never received much formal education, and misspellings fill
the diary. Some of the time, he addresses his writing to Grant,
as if writing a letter. Jefferson writes about the other men in
prison and wonders why poor people seem to suffer so much more than
the rich do. He concludes that the Lord caters to white people.
A few days later, Jefferson writes about Grant’s assertion that
he is better than white people think. Jefferson wants proof of his
worth. He says he has never done so much thinking in his life, and
he begins to realize how little he has always expected of himself.
The Monday before Jefferson’s execution, he writes that
the sheriff, Mr. Pichot, and Mr. Morgan visit him in his cell. Jefferson hears
Mr. Morgan and Sheriff Guidry talking about their bet. Mr. Morgan
wants to double the stakes. He bets that Grant will fail. Mr. Pichot
asks Jefferson how he is doing and then offers to sharpen his pencil
with his own knife. Then, with Guidry’s permission, Pichot gives
Jefferson the knife. Jefferson says he will give it back in a few days.
During the next few days, people from all over town come to speak
to Jefferson. His friend Bok reluctantly gives Jefferson one of his
marbles, and Jefferson cries because no one has ever paid so much
attention to him.
Vivian comes with Grant to visit Jefferson on his last
night. Jefferson is humiliated in front of her, for he has not bathed
recently and thinks he is ugly, but Vivian tells him he looks handsome
and strong. She kisses his face. Jefferson apologizes to Grant for
crying when Grant told him he would not be at the execution. He
explains that he cried because nobody was ever as good to him as
Grant is— nobody but Grant made him feel he is somebody.
Guidry asks what Jefferson wants for supper and Jefferson
asks for his godmother’s cooking and a little ice cream for dessert.
After Jefferson has dinner and a shower, Guidry asks him if he feels
he was treated well. Jefferson says he does, and Guidry says he
should write that in his tablet. Guidry offers to leave the light
on so that he can continue to write. Jefferson cannot sleep and
writes in his journal. He resolves to see the sunrise on his last
morning. He says he cannot listen to the radio because it plays
only for the living. Jefferson is afraid, but determined to stay
strong. He writes goodbye to Mr. Wiggins and asks him to “tell them
im a man.” He says he will give the diary to Paul to deliver to
Grant.
Analysis
Jefferson’s diary testifies to the mutual benefits he
and Grant get from their friendship and love for one another. Grant
bought the diary for Jefferson, and Jefferson writes in it usually
as if writing a letter to Grant. Even when he is alone in his cell,
Jefferson can write to Grant and feel he has companionship. As Jefferson
writes down his thoughts, he begins to think seriously about the
world and his role in it. Showing the influence of Grant’s words,
Jefferson writes that he realizes how important he has become to
his community. Moreover, the diary will serve as a boon
for Grant’s self-confidence and his sense of self-worth, as he himself
initiated the use of the diary by engaging Jefferson and buying
him the notebook and pencil.
The white characters are not uniformly cruel
to Jefferson, although their token kindnesses do not matter much
in the face of the death penalty their people imposed on Jefferson.
Mr. Pichot shows some compassion toward Jefferson by offering to
sharpen his pencil and then giving him the knife as a gift. Guidry
kindly offers to leave the light on so Jefferson can write. Also,
in the past, Guidry has allowed numerous visitors to see Jefferson.
Guidry asks Jefferson to speak well of him in the diary, perhaps
both because he wants kind things written about him and because
he is anxious for Jefferson to like him.
