George- AAL- A Lesson Before Dying

Chpt 11: Of what does Grant try to convince Jefferson?

that he is not an old hog and, in fact, a human being

Chpt 7: Describe Dr. Joseph. What does he look like? What is his personality like?

Fat, white, racist, inconsiderate, pompous

Chpt. 5: Why does Grant go into such detail about the preocess by which Jefferson will be killed?

He wants his students to stay in school so that they can change the racist society they currently live in and not die like Jefferson will.

Chpt. 2: Why does Grant not want to go to Mr. Henri's house?

He wants to go to Bayonne so he can breathe. He would also have to go through the back door of his house.

Chpt 31 & 32: What does Grant have the students do from 12-3?

Pray

Chpt 26: How does Vivian react to the fight?

She is disgusted and makes Grant stay at her house

Chpt 27: What doesn't Grant realize about his aunt?

She is sick, tired, and works all the time

Chpt 31 & 32: What does Grant do between 12-3?

Sits under a tree

Chpt 9: Describe Jefferson's cell in detail.

Six feet by ten feet "with a metal bunk covered by a thin mattress and a woolen army blanket, a toilet without a seat or toilet paper; a washbowl, brownish from residue and grime; small metal shelf ...a pan, a tin dup, and a tablespoon...a single light bulb...and barred window.. opposite the door." (71)

Chpt 9: What question does Jefferson have for his aunt?

When are they going to kill him?

Chpt 13: What is "Determination Sunday"?

When members of the churhc stand and sing their favorite hymns and tell the congregation where they want to spend eternity

Chpt. 3: What is symbolic about going through the back door?

unequal treatment

Chpt. 2: What is his occupation?

A teacher at a black school

Chpt 31 & 32: How does Grant know when it is over?

A yellow butterfly flies through the air

Chpt 9: What question does he have for Grant?

Is he the one who will "jerk the switch"?

Chpt 24: What is Grant's definition of a myth? How does it apply to his message to Jefferson?

"An old lie people believe in" (192). This message applys to Jefferson because Grant believes that he can change the myth that white is the superior race by showing common humanity.

Chpt 9: At the end of Chapter 8, Antonie tells Grant. "But it won't matter." What are Jefferson's first words to his aunt? What "doesn't matter"?

"It don't matter." Trying to help him

Chpt 20: Why exactly was the above date agreed upon?

"It had to be before or after Easter" (156).

Chpt 19: How many gifts were there under the tree? For whom are the gifts?

1. Jefferson

Chpt 26: What questions does Vivian ask Grant? Does he give her an answer? Do you think these are fair questions?

"What is me... Who am I... Who are you... Who are we... What is love?" No Yes, Grant has really upset Vivian and has put stress on their relationship by fighting the men

Chpt 31 & 32: This chapter contains streams of conciiusness from Grant. What are some of the questions he asks?

"Why wasn't I there... Why wasn't I down on my knees... Was he standing?" (250) "Has it already happened?" (251)

Chpt 22: Give 2 examples of how Grant was discriminated against at the store.

1) The saleswoman made Grant wait for 15 minutes so she could look for a new radio, even though it should have been easy to find 2) The saleswoman ignored Grant and talked to her friend, a white woman and non-paying customer

Chpt 20: The reader gets a strong sense of Grant's opinion on the whole matter for one of the first times in this chapter. What are some of the comments he makes to himself about setting the date and convicting a man to death? (pgs 157-58)

1. "Who made them God?" Grant makes this comment because these white men have chosen when Jefferson will be killed. God is usually seen as a higher figure deciding human fate. 2. "Twelve white men say a black man must die, and another white man sets the date and time without consulting one black person." Grant is describing the racial divides in the justice system that prevented Jefferson from a fair trial. 3. "...you were at the wrong place at the wrong time..." Grant is explaining that if he wasn't black or at the gas station at that very moment, he would not currently be in jail and would have never been sentenced to death.

Chpt. 6: How long does Grant have to wait before seeing the men?

2.5 hours

Chpt. 5: Describe the school. Do you think the white school is "equal"?

4 windows, a stove for heat, blackboards on the back and right side wall. No

Chpt 28: What is the significance of the comparison of Easter to Jefferson's situation?

?

Chpt 28: How is what Jefferson wrote significant? How does it prove that he has grown?

? Jefferson is realizing he is not a hog and will not be killed like one

Chpt 22: What would your last request be if you were in Jefferson'sposition?

A glass of ice water

Chpt 19: What is the weather like on the night of the program?

A light drizzle

Chpt 23: What will Grant bring Jefferson on the next visit? Why?

A notebook so he can write down thoughts or questions

Chpt. 1: How does the defense present Jefferson? Do you see anything wrong with this defense? Explain.

A poor fool. a hog, and an unintelligent person. This is wrong because they are accusing him of being so incompetent that he could not plan such a scheme.

Chpt 22: What is Grant going to bring to Jefferson? Why is this item important?

A radio ; because it symbolizes connection. this allows Jefferson to have the chance to feel less alone

Chpt. 3: What does Miss Emma ask Mr. Henri to do?

Allow Grant to visit Jefferson to teach him that he is not a hog.

Chpt 20: When will Jefferson be executed? From whom does Grant receive the news?

April 8th Sheriff Guidry

Chpt 9: Where is Grant taking Miss Emma? Why?

Bayonne to see Jefferson

Chpt. 4: Where does Grant go? Why?

Bayonne, to clear his head

Chpt 24: Why does Grant say he is not a hero?

Because he is not above anyone, wants to run away, and hates his job

Chpt 7: What does Grant request before Dr. Joseph leaves? What is Dr. Joseph's response?

Books and more supplies. He tells Grant that it is the same as the white school and drives off.

Chpt 14-15: How does Grant stand up to Tante Lou? Were you surrpsed by this behavior? Explain.

By making the coffee. Yes because he is usually very catering to Tante Lou's requests.

Chpt 13: Where are Miss Eloise and Tante Lou heading as the chapter opens?

Church

Chpt 9: For what do the other prisoners ask?

Cigarettes, money

Chpt 22: How does Grant get the money for this item? Does it surprise you?

Claiborne and Thelma donate money to Grant ; Yes

Chpt 10: Miss Emma left the cell doing what after each visit?

Crying

Chpt. 1: What is the sentence?

Death by electrocution

Chpt 31 & 32: Who visits Grant? What does he bring? What does he tell Grant?

Deputy Paul, Jefferson's Notebook, That Jefferson wanted him to have the notebook, that he would like to know what is in the journal, that Grant changed Jefferson for the better, and that if Grant ever needs anything to call him.

Chpt 29: Who comes to visit Jefferson? Why does Jefferson cry?

Everyone from the quarter. Because no one has ever done anything like tis for hijm before

Chpt 8: This thought causes Grant to think back to when he was taught by his teacher. What do we call this literary technique?

Flashback

Chpt 9: What does Miss Emma bring for Jefferson?

Food and clothes

Chpt 20: Where does Grant go when he hears the news? Why? What might this suggest about his character?

For a walk. So he does not have to tell Miss Emma the news. That he does not like disappointing loved ones and is empathetic toward Jefferson.

Chpt. 1: On what day is the trial held?

Friday

Chpt 16: What do they tell Grant to do? How does he react?

Go back to the jail. He walks.

Chpt 13: What does Reverend Ambrose seem to want Grant to talk to Jefferson about? Do you think he will?

God. No.

Chpt. 2: Who is the narrator?

Grant Wiggins

Chpt 7: How does Grant prepare the students for Dr. Joseph's visit? Why do you think he goes through so much trouble to do so?

Grant drills them to stand and sit in unison and makes them clean their hands. To avoid getting fired or his students being rambunctious.

Chpt 14-15: What seems to upset Vivian a bit? Is she upset by the ladies or Grant? Explain and give examples.

Grant due to the fact that he is being very commanding and rude to her. Ex: "Just be quiet" (pg 113).

Chpt 25: How does the fight end?

Grant gets knocked out and wakes up to Vivian

Chpt 10: Why is this next visit going to be different than the others?

Grant goes alone

Chpt. 3: Why does Grant have to speak to Mr. Pichot? What is the significance of this?

Grant has to speak to him as a superior, using "Sir". This is significant because he has not done this in 10 years and because he is now educated.

Chpt. 2: What kind of a person is Grant? Describe. Do you like him?

Grant is an intelligent, cynical, and angry person.

Chpt 31 & 32: What does Grant mean when he states, "I know now that old man is much braver than I"?

Grant means that Reverend Ambrose is stronger than he is because he wields the strength of God to help him. Grant states that he would not have been able to walk those last few steps with Jefferson, and is not as strong as the Reverend.

Chpt 29: To whom is the diary addressing (most of the time)? What does this suggest?

Grant, Jefferson considers him a good and trustworthy friend

Chpt 18: At the end of this chapter, Vivian claims that something is changing. What do you think is changing? Explain and support your answer.

Grant, he is becoming more empathetic and patient but also irritated at having to go see Jefferson.

Chpt. 1: What is the verdict?

Guilty of robbery and murder of the first degree

Chpt 7: How does Dr. Joseph inspect the students?

He checks their hands, teeth, and asks them questions about studies or what they did earlier that morning.

Chpt 13: Why doesn't Grant go with them? How does his aunt feel about this?

He does not believe in God. His aunt is content because if she wasn't, Grant threatened to leave.

Chpt 9: How does Grant feel about this trip?

He does not want to go and hates it

Chpt. 3: Why does Mr. Pichot agree to try and get Grant in to see Jefferson?

He does this because he knows what Tante Lou has done for his family.

Chpt 27: Why, according to the Reverend,isn't Grant educated?

He doesn't know himself or his people

Chpt. 4: The next thing they discuss is what Tante Lou and Miss Emma have asked of him. What reasons does Grant give for not wanting to do it? Do you agree with him? Explain.

He doesn't know what a man is, how one should act, if him helping would do anything, and that he will still die. No, he should attempt to help Jefferson even if he dies a hog

Chpt 10: How does Grant feel about this visit?

He feels that Miss Emma and Tante Lou planned this ahead of time

Chpt 10: How does Grant feel about his aunt at the end of the chapter?

He feels that his aunt has humiliated him and stripped him of what she sent him to school for

Chpt 19: Why isn't Grant happy after the program?

He had been hearing the same carols, same play, same grammatical mistakes, same clothes, and same everything for a very long time. He wonders what Vivian meant when she said things are changing because he sees no change.

Chpt 12: Why didn't Grant go back to see Miss Emma? Where did he go instead?

He had not come up with a good lie yet. The Rainbow Club

Chpt. 5: Why do you think Grant is so upset? Do you agree with the punishments for his students?

He has to help Jefferson and does not know how. He also is upset about his relationship with Vivian. No

Chpt 31 & 32: Give some examples from this chapter that proves Grant has NOT changed.

He is constantly asking himself questions and is anxious

Chpt 16: Why does Miss Emma slap Jefferson?

He keeps calling himself a hog

Chpt 17: Why doesn't Jefferson yell? Why is this important?

He knew he needed Grant. This is important becauseJefferson is trying to cover up the fact that he is terrified by threatning to do outrageous and impulsive actions. He does not act on them, however, because he knows he needs Grant.

Chpt 31 & 32: Why wouldn't Grant cry?

He knew that there would be many more fatalities like Jefferson's, and knew he could not cry for all of them.

Chpt 24: How does Grant need Jefferson?

He needs Jefferson to stand up to White people

Chpt 28: Explain how Jefferson Has drastically changed in this chapter. How is he willing to take on this burden? Give a quote to support.

He now thinks of himself as a human, not a hog. He is also more accepting of the fact he will die. We also see him talk more than he ever has throughout the novel. He is willing to stand and be strong for Miss Emma when he goes up to the chair. "I'm go'n do my best..."

Chpt 26: Why is it significant that Grant does not walk out the door?

He realizes everything he needs is in Vivian's house

Chpt 27: What does the Reverend mean when he states that he tells lies?

He relives pain of other people

Chpt 31 & 32: Give some examples from this chapter that proves Grant HAS changed.

He showed emotion in front of his class by crying,

Chpt 8: Why didn't Antonie leave?

He was afraid.He also felt superior because he was creole.

Chpt 24: Why was Grant late?

He was buying a notebook and pencil

Chpt 25: What, do we learn, was Reverend Ambrose's reaction to Jefferson's change in behavior?

He was envious of Grant's influence on Jefferson

Chpt 23:Why didn't Jefferson want to go to the dayroom?

He was listening to the radio

Chpt 26: What news does Vivian get from her husband? Why is this so upsetting?

He will divorce only if he can see the children on the weekends. He is in Texas while Vivian is in Louisiana

Chpt 7: What seems to be Dr. Joseph's biggest concern while inspecting the students? To what is this compared?

Health or hygeine. Buying slaves

Chpt. 6: Where has Grant gone?

Henry Pichot's house

Chpt 14-15: Why hasn't Vivian visited her family very often? What may this foreshadow of her relationship with Grant?

Her family does not want to see her because she rushed into marriage with a man she met at a university. It will be quick and impulsive

Chpt 21: What is the "vicious circle" that Grant tries to explain to Vivian? What does he believe the women want them to accomplish? (pg 166-67)

How most black men run away from their families. The women want their men to accomplish having the trait of dedication and strength

Chpt 14-15: What questions do Tante Lou and the ladies ask Vivian?

If she visits her parents or goes to church

Chpt 12: What does he ask Vivian? What is her response?

If she wants to leave with him and go on a trip. She says no because she doesn't want her husband to have a reason to take her kids away.

Chpt. 6: How did Grant act like that was insulting to the white men?

Intelligent, "too smart for his own good"

Chpt 23: Why does Grant insist that the radio is crucial to Jefferson's well-being? What has it done?

It gives him company and avoids him thinking he is a hog; provided Jefferson with some contact to the outside world

Chpt 12: What are the men talking about when he gets there? Why are they so obsessed with this person?

Jackie Robinson because he was a phenomenal black baseball player

Chpt. 1: What is the name of the defendant?

Jefferson

Chpt 23: What makes Grant "grin like a fool"? Why?

Jefferson asks Grant to tell the children thanks for the pecans. Jefferson is showing thanks for the first time.

Chpt 18: How were the latest visits to Jefferson similar to the last?

Jefferson did not speak or eat

Chpt 28: Why doesn't Jefferson seem to relate to Rev. Ambrose's advice that he must give up posessions?

Jefferson has never had any posessions

Chpt 17: How does Jefferson anger Grant? How does Grant respond?

Jefferson insults Vivian. Grant responds by telling Jefferson that he wouldn't be at the jail if it weren't for her.

Chpt. 2: Why does Grant say that Jefferson is already dead?

Jefferson is a black man accused of killing a white man, and due to racism will have no chance at parole.

Chpt 20: Where is the story now taking place?

Late February

Chpt 29: What does Jefferson do for Miss Emma?

Let Miss Emma hug and kiss him and told her that he is strong

Chpt. 2: Who are the two women?

Miss Emma Glen (Jefferson's Grandma. Nannan) and Tante Lou (Grant's aunt)

Chpt 17: Why does the sheriff ask to speak with Grant?

Miss Emma went to the Sheriff's wife's house and said they all couldn't sit down on the cell floor. The sheriff asked Grant if he was planning anything or knew about the confrontation.

Chpt. 1: On what day is the sentencing held?

Monday

Chpt. 1: For what is he on trial?

Murder and being involved in a robbery

Chpt 20: Do you think the sheriff has handled things well thus far? Explain.

No because he has not tried to help Jefferson in any way and has treated Grant poorly every visit.

Chpt 13: The Reverend asks Grant if he thinks Jefferson "grasped the significance of what it's all about." Do you think Grant grasps the significance? Explain.

No- hes never taken the time to ponder it Yes- because of his past experiences as a teacher

Chpt 17: How does Grant's next visit with Jefferson go?

Not well, Grant mentions how either of them could die any day and Jefferson insults Vivian

Chpt. 4: Describe the town of Bayonne (population, segregation...).

On a river, small town of 6,000 (3,500 whites and 2,500 blacks), segregation in every public building (movie theaters, bars)

Chpt 11: How does he finally eat? Why?

On all fours to show Grant what an old hog eats like

Chpt 19: What people come to the program?

People who wanted to support Jefferson as the program was dedicated to him.

Chpt 10: Chapter 10 marks what visit with Jefferson?

The 4th visit

Chpt 19: How is Grant outcast or critisizedsubtly before the program begins?

Reverend Ambrose leads a prayer before the program and asks God to pardon the ins of those who do not know him. And that no matter how educated you are, you will always need God.

Chpt 21: In order for Grant to become what they want him to become, what does he think he must do?

Run away and leave town

Chpt 8: What does Antonie say Grant should do?

Runaway

Chpt 8: Once the wood is delivered who has the job of cutting it?

The 6th grade boys

Chpt 22: What seems to calm Jefferson during Grant's latest meeting? What does he request to have on the day of the execution? Why?

Talking about the day of the execution and his last meal ; a gallon of vanilla ice cream and a pot spoon to eat it with ; because he never had enough ice cream

Chpt. 2: What do they want Grant to do?

Teach Jefferson to be a man so he can die like one

Chpt. 4: What is Vivian's opinion on this matter?

That Grant should help him

Chpt 13: What did Grant have to say when he finally got home on Friday?

That Jefferson was "all right".

Chpt 21: What does Grant mean when he states, "Miss Emma needs a memory"?

That Miss Emma wants and needs to feel proud of Jefferson before he dies or even she dies.

Chpt 11: What is Grant going to tell Miss Emma when he returns home? Why?

That he and Jefferson sat down on the bunk and ate together and that Jefferson saidhow much he enjoyed the food in order to keep her happy and hopeful

Chpt 29: What did the Sheriff tell Jefferson to put in the notebook?

That he was good to Jefferson and that the jail was accomodating

Chpt 29: What did Grant say that made Jefferson cry? Do you think this was a good decision of Grant's part?

That he was not going to visit tomorrow. No, Grant shouldv'e seen and talked to him one last time to say goodbye.

Chpt 16: What does Miss Emma say to Grant when she visits after schools? How does she know this information?

That she knows Grant lied about Jefferson because she had to hit him at her last visit

Chpt 16: What are the children getting ready for?

The Christmas program

Chpt 25: Where does Grant go after the visit? Why?

The Rainbow Club to tell Vivian how well the visit went

Chpt 17: Who is Paul Bonin? What is he like? Why does Grant speak to him?

The younger deputy. He is educated, kind, came from a good stock, and helpful. He was the most likely to be honest with him

Chpt 19: Why are the students especially well-practiced?

The bad weather kept them off the fields and gave them more time to practice.

Chpt. 5: Why did the school only meet 5.5 months?

The children were needed in the field

Chpt 29: What does the diary suggest about Jefferson and how he has changed?

The diary suggests that Jefferson has changed by gaining a newfound appreciation for life. For example, he watches the sunset and sunrise and let Miss Emma hug him.

Chpt. 6: Where does he wait?

The kitchen

Chpt 29: What does Mr. Pichot give Jefferson? What do they discuss as they leave?

The knife he sharpens his pencil with. They discuss how Mr. Pichot can have it back on Friday and how it is not Friday yet.

Chpt. 1: After reading this chapter, go back and reread the first sentence. "I was not there, yet I was there."

The narrator means that while he did not attend the trial, the narrator knew that the trial would end with a death sentence due to the fact that Jefferson is black. Therefore, it was almost as if he was there because the narrator predicted the outcome.

Chpt 16: Why do you think Reverend Ambrose's words especially anger Jefferson?

The reverend said that the lord was merciful

Chpt. 5: The church is the meeting place for what?

The school

Chpt 22: Why does Paul continue the search ritual at the jail even though he knows it is unnecessary?

The sheriff believes this must be done and watches Paul

Chpt. 2: Why do they need permission from the sheriff for what they want Grant to do?

The sheriff has to approve visitors to people sentenced to death.

Chpt 8: When Grant speaks of his teacher, Matthew Antonie, what does he say he wanted from the teacher that other students didn't?

To learn as much as he could

Chpt 7: Who decides to pay Grant's school a visit?

The superintendent (Dr. Joseph) To check on the condition of the schools and students

Chpt 25: Why does Grant get into a fight with the men?

The two bricklayers were whispering about Grant

Chpt 22: Explain the significance of the following qoute from Thelma: "Here".

Thelma does not want to give up her hard earned money, but wants to help Jefferson in any way she can and takes the opportunity to do so by giving Grant charity for the radio.

Chpt 21: How do the women react to Vivian's visit? Do you think they will accept her?

They are "polite but cold" and feel she is intruding. No

Chpt 8: What does Grant realize about the children as he watches them?

They are acting the same as the old men that dropped off the wood

Chpt. 1: On the very first page Miss Emma is likened to "a great stone" and " one of our oak or cypress stumps" and in Chapter 15 Tante Lou is likened to "a boulder in the road." What may these and other instances of strongly rooted or anchored Earth elements tell us about these two women?

They believe strongly in themselves and their opinions.

Chpt 18: How are the latest visits to Jefferson different from the last?

They visited him in the dayroom, he was chained up

Chpt 12: Why were these famous figures so important to Grant and the rest of the community?

They were role models in the public eye at a time where racism was extremely prevelant

Chpt. 6: Why does Edna make Grant reach in order to shake hands?

To show superiority

Chpt 22: Why does Grant pronounce the word "batries" when speaking to the sheriff? Why do you think the author keeps coming back to this idea? What is the significance?

To conform to the sheriff's idea of how a black man should talk and to not look like he was correcting him. ; I think the author keeps coming back to the idea because he wants to emphasize how careful black people had to be in order to stay alive. To them, conforming was a way of survival. ; The significance is that it happens quite often and is perpetrated by white people.

Chpt 13: What do you think the significance is for Jefferson?

To know he is human and that Life will go on

Chpt 28: Why does Jefferson say "He never said a mumbling word"?

When God's son died, he never complained or said anything because he accepted it and died

Chpt 12: Of what famous event does it remind Grant of?

When Joe Louis fought Schmeling

Chpt 26: Who do you side with in this argument, Grant or Vivian? Why?

Vivian because Grant made an incompetent decision that could have killed him

Chpt 14-15: Who is Grant's surprise visitor? Why does this person visit?

Vivian because she missed Grant

Chpt 12: Where does Grant go next?

Vivian's school

Chpt. 4: Whom does Grant call? What is their relation to one another?

Vivian, they are in a relationship even though Vivian is married. She is, however, trying to divorce her current husband.

Chpt 14-15: What do Grant and Vivian discuss at the end of chapter 14?

What they will name their child

Chpt 29: What does Jefferson mean when he writes, "...it look like the lord just work for white folks"?

White people do not understand that they do not work as hard as black people. They have everything handed to them on a silver platter and thank the Lord because they belive it was God's doing. They never think of how blacks have harvested and prepared their meals.

Chapter 30

Write essay

Chpt 16: If you were Grant, could you continue to visit Jefferson?

Yes because I would have a moral obligation to Tante Lou and Jefferson to help him in any way I could

Chpt. 3: Are you surprised by the power that Miss Emma and Tante Lou have over Mr. Pichot? Explain.

Yes because the two women used to be slaves of his. Most slave owners do not treat slaves with any respect, and the fact that he gave them some of his time is amazing.

Chpt 14-15: Do you think that Grant and Vivian's relationship will work? Explain.

Yes, Grant's family views her as a quality woman and Vivian's family will most likely not be involved.

Chpt 25: What is a "mulatto"? Why are they prejudiced against blacks? Why do they go to the Rainbow Club?

a biracial person (half black/white) Because they believe since they are half white they should not have to work alongside them. They couldn't go to the white clubs

Chpt 14-15: Identify the simile on page 113. To what is Tante Lou compared? How does this compare to the simile used in the first paragraph of the novel?

a boulder in the road, unmoveable. This compares to Miss Emma being described as an immobile great stone at the beginning of the book.

Chpt 23: Why are Tante Lou and Reverend Ambrose upset with Grant? Should they be?

because Grant bought Jefferson a "sin box" (radio) no

Chpt 11: Jefferson Finally speaks to Grant in this Chapter. What does he have to say? Why does he ask for corn?

he asks for corn and calls himself a hog. he asks for corn because "that's what hogs eat"

Chpt. 6: If you were in Grant's position, how would you speak with these men- as the intelligent man that you are or the ignorant black man they expect you to be? Explain.

intelligent- to make them scared ignorant- to survive

Chpt. 4: What is the first thing Grant and Vivian discuss? What does this say about his character?

leaving town, he is impulsive

Chpt. 6: Why would they want Grant to use the word 'don't' instead of 'doesn't'?

so that the 4 men can feel smarter than him

Chpt 24: What is Grant's definition of a hero? Do you think it is accurate? Explain.

some "who does something for other people" Yes, heros often help others and are born to do so, even if for a short period of time

Chpt 9: What instruction does Paul, the deputy, give grant?

to empty his pockets