A Lesson Before DyingA Lesson before dying, is set in a small Cajun community in the late 1940s. Jefferson, a young black man, is an unwitting party to a liquor store shoot out in which three men are killed; the only survivor, he is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Grant Wiggins, who left his hometown for the university, has returned to the plantation school to teach. As he struggles with his decision whether to stay or escape to another state, his aunt and Jefferson's godmother persuade him to visit Jefferson in his cell and impart his learning and his pride to Jefferson before his death. In the end, the two men forge a bond as they both come to understand the simple heroism of resisting--and defying--the expected. |
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ain't aint answer asked aunt Baton Rouge Bayonne bunk Catherine Carmier cell chair chifforobe chiren church Claiborne coffee courthouse cowboy hat crying dayroom deputy desk door drink eyes face feel felt front go'n gone Gropé Guidry gumbo hand head hear heard Henri Pichot honey Inez Jackie Robinson Jefferson Joe Louis Joseph kitchen knew leave LESSON BEFORE DYING listening looked Louis Rougon minister Miss Eloise Miss Emma Mona Simpson nannan never nigger nodded Odessa Paul pecans prisoners quarter quiet radio Reverend Ambrose sheriff shirt someone standing staring stood supposed sure talking Tante Lou teacher tell Thelma thing thought told took tree trying turned Vivian waiting walked wall watched Wiggins window woman wore y'all yard