A Lesson before Dying By Earnest Gaines

Earnest presents the case of Jefferson through a deceptive writing style evidenced from the start of the novel in the courtroom. The evidence presented before the judge shows that Jefferson has committed the crime he is accused of because he was found in the scene of crime. However, the use of flashback is what enables the reader to realize the Jefferson is innocent and not as guilty as accused.

Gaines has expressively used metaphor and allusions in presenting the case of the execution of Jefferson.  For instance, Gaines refers to the godmother of Jefferson as a “great stone” and sometimes as a “tree stump” (Gaines, 1993.chapter 1). In this, the narrator wishes to demonstrate to the reader the presence of power and stability considering the case of Jefferson’s godmother

Gaines emphasizes on the theme of racism through the entire Jefferson’s conviction story.  This is supported by the language used against Jefferson in the courtroom especially the attorney who refers executing Jefferson as putting “hog in an electric chair”, (Gaines, 1993.pg 8) a non-intelligent animal with a flat face and skull that resembles a non-human animal. In addition, the theme of racism is supported by the denial of Jefferson the right to himself throughout the trial, which demonstrates a violation of his rights just because he is black, the law cannot be applied. Gaines therefore condemns the racism in the society because rather than use factual evidence to defend Jefferson, the attorney creates a defamation theory that demonstrates the incapacity of Jefferson to commit human crimes. The attorney does not persuade the jury to consider the situation through the legal ways in the defense of Jefferson, but rather because he is a creature, which demonstrates the highest degree of racism as presented by Gaines.

Reference Gaines, E. (1993). A lesson before dying (1st Ed.). Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group