In these chapters, Jefferson begins to take steps toward
recovering his dignity by voicing and acting upon personal desires.
He admits to Grant that he wants ice cream and consents to write
his thoughts down in a notebook. A few days later, he asks Grant
to thank his students for their efforts. These may seem like minor
incidents, but they mark the end of Jefferson’s isolation. Until
this point, he has refused to admit wanting anything. Since acknowledging
his intelligent desires is a human action, Jefferson seems to be
relinquishing his tendency to deny his humanity. Now he reclaims
his humanity by admitting he wants things and by thinking of others’ feelings.
The fact that Jefferson weeps following Grant’s eloquent appeal
for Jefferson’s heroic strength shows that he has begun to listen
to and internalize Grant’s thoughts and feelings.
Both Grant and Jefferson go through pivotal changes as
they walk around the room. In contrast to his previous wild behavior, now
Jefferson listens carefully to Grant’s words, looking up when asked
to do so. He weeps as Grant talks, showing that Grant’s words have
affected him. In contrast to Grant’s usual cynicism, depression,
and disconnectedness, here he talks in emotional and straightforward
language. To Jefferson, he speaks the raw emotions of his heart
as he never speaks them to other people. He tells Jefferson of his
own shame, his own failings, his own need for a hero. He admits
he has always wanted to run from responsibility and has squandered
his chance to make changes. He stops expressing anger at his family
and fellow black community members and starts expressing anger at
his society. Grant’s honesty and his inspiring words begin
to convince Jefferson that he can stop acting like an animal and
regain his dignity. If Jefferson and Grant have clashed in the past, now
they become united in working toward one goal. Gaines stresses this
unification with the image of the two men walking together.
