"A Lesson Before Dying" discussion, chapters 1-7

[AquariJenn]

Here is a thread where we can post our thoughts on chapters 1-7 of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375702709/ref=nosim/">A Lesson Before Dying</a> by Ernest J. Gaines.

If you have read further than these chapters, you may want to post your thoughts on one of the later threads. (You can, of course, still include your thoughts on these chapters in the later threads!)

I look forward to reading your thoughts! http://www.storknet.com/boards/smile.gif

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Jennifer
Co-Moderator Time for Mom: A Reading Circle

Mom to Katelyn Eileen (http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/lig/j/e/jenneric/xmas2001.html), since June 2000
Be the change you want to see in the world.
-- Mohandas K. Gandhi

[This message has been edited by AquariJenn (edited 02-01-2002).]

[Lisa Jo]

Ok, every time I sit down at the computer after Natalie is in bed, I realize I have left my book in there and don't want to go back in yet (we co-sleep). So I'll post my thoughts without benefit of the book in front of me.

This is a hard book to "enjoy" because the material is so serious - but the story caught me right up and has me absorbed. The matter-of-fact racism is shocking to me. I have no context for that in my life.

I really like the relationship between Grant and Vivian. They seem to love and respect each other deeply. I don't understand the hostility from Grant's aunt. She seems like a very unpleasant, unhappy person. He is portrayed so far as a serious, hardworking, well-educated man who his family should be very proud of, so I'm confused by her attitude. Maybe there is a history that will be revealed later.

Very good read so far, even though it's a rather sober, depressing story.

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Lisa
My two precious kids:
Corey 4/15/93
Natalie 6/21/00

Co-moderator, Product Opinion/Review

[Caryl]

Thanks for posting your thoughts, Lisa! I've read this before, and I remember the feeling you're describing. Definitely an absorbing but not "enjoyable" read.

I am working on The Living Is Easy right now, and I'll read this one next. http://www.storknet.com/boards/smile.gif

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Caryl
Mom to Charon, 7/19/99
Co-Moderator for the Reading Circle and Heart of the Home Forums
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."
--Annie Dillard

[CorwinsMommy]

Well I've finally found time to catch up and actually get on here to post about the first few chapters.

Unlike Lisa I liked the book from the very beginning. I find it so hard to find a very serious book that is so, I hate to say enjoyable when it's about this topic, but I do find it an enjoyable book.

Yes the matter of fact racisim is a sort of shocker but unfortuantly I come from a town that is like that. Granted it's not as bad but I've seen it. There are very few books that I've found that deal with the few points of such a blatently racist community such as this one.

The relationship between Grant and Vivian is such a nice relationship I find. You can tell that they love each other so deeply. Like Lisa I don't really understand where the attitude Grant's aunt has really comes from. But I'm hoping that the book doesn't leave us hanging as to the reason of this. He's a very hard working man even though he doesn't really seem happy with what he's doing. I mean he's doing a job that he didn't want, one that was in a way pressed upone him.

I just hope that the book keeps getting interesting and that we find out why the relationship between Grant and his aunt is so bad.

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Barb 23
Lange 29
Married 7/21/00

~~~~Corwin-Daniel~~~~ (http://www.angelfire.com/oh2/annie1/corwinsmile.html) 9/28/01
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9lbs 11 oz....21 1/2 inches @ 2 wks.
13lbs 6 1/2 oz....24 inches @ 2 months
19 lbs 6 oz....25 inches @ 4 months

[Caryl]

It's neat to hear your thoughts, Barb! I am looking forward to reading this book again. I know what you mean about it being hard to say that this is an "enjoyable" read. I think that's what Lisa Jo was saying, too -- that it's very good, even though it's got very depressing themes.

I'm so glad you are both think it's a good read!

Caryl

[AquariJenn]

Ok...I finally finished the first section. I also share the feelings of the other posters thus far. The "defense" that Jefferson received was appalling! And the way Grant treats his students! http://www.storknet.com/boards/eek.gif Yikes! I was so angry. He has such a big chip on his shoulder. He is not the kind of person I would like teaching my children (at least not in his current state of mind). I think Gaines is setting us up for lessons to be learned by both Jefferson and Grant as they get to know each other and together they will figure out what it means to be a "man".


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Jennifer
Co-Moderator Time for Mom: A Reading Circle

Mom to Katelyn Eileen (http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/lig/j/e/jenneric/xmas2001.html), since June 2000
Be the change you want to see in the world.
-- Mohandas K. Gandhi

[Caryl]

I'm finally getting a chance to re-read this book.

I agree with all of you about Grant & Vivian's relationship. I liked it when Vivian said, "I always want you to come to me," when Grant apologized for talking about how he felt about teaching Jefferson.

And Jenn, I was also stunned by the defense attorney's speech "for" Jefferson. http://www.storknet.com/boards/mad.gif What kind of a defense was that?

Jenn, I also hated the way Grant treated his students. I remember when I first read this book, being so surprised by that, because I really liked him at that point in the book. I felt so badly for those students. I hope he decides to treat them more gently. I think Grant has a lot of anger inside him, and rightly so. (Just wish he wasn't taking it out on these little ones. http://www.storknet.com/boards/frown.gif )

I think there's hope, because of what he said:

What do I say to him? Do I know what a man is? Do I know how a man is supposed to die? I'm still trying to find out how a man should live. Am I supposed to tell someone how to die who has never lived?

Wasn't that school superintendent awful, checking the children's hands and teeth and then complimenting Grant on an "excellent crop" of students? What a creep. This quote from Grant about his students performing for this visit also gives me hope that he has some compassion for them:

They came to their feet, their heads up, their arms clasped to their sides. But instead of feeling pride, I hated myself for drilling them as I had done.

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Caryl
Mom to Charon, 7/19/99
Co-Moderator for the Reading Circle and Heart of the Home Forums
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."
--Annie Dillard

[HunnyBunny]

Picked this book up at the library over the weekend -- I know I'm a bit behind, but it's always been on my list of books to read.

Anyway, I have to agree with Jennifer and Caryl -- I don't particularly like the character of Grant. He seems to have a huge chip on his shoulder, but it's of his own making, so I don't have much sympathy for him. He seems to be furious with himself for not being able to get away, yet it's his choice to stay. And I can't believe how rude he is to his aunt and Miss Emma, and how cruel he can be to his students.

One thing I've wondered about -- has anyone else noticed how many times he refers to "feeling their eyes on the back of his head/neck"? I'm curious what the significance (if any) this has ... in the scene where he's driving Miss Emma and his aunt to meet the sheriff he mentions this feeling 3-4 times in 2 pages and it's recurred several times in the following chapters.

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Laura
DH Dave
#1 edd 10/2/02