Title: A Lesson Before DyingAuthor: Gaines, Ernest J. (1933- )
New York : A.A. Knopf, 1993
256 p, ; 23cm
Read by: 05/14/2010, borrowed from WBPL, later got in my collection
Genre: Fiction
This novel is a classic! It is short and simple in plot, but very emotionally intense. I hardly agree with other reviews and some popular notes. This book is not about racism between the black and white dominated societies, it is more about the struggles between the black. Grant is depressed and cynical, because he is wide awaken – the true problems and their roots are clearly revealed to him. Unlike Reverend Ambrose who believes giving oneself totally in God’s hands will save from struggles even that means some necessary lying, Grant has been true to himself and others. I think the author is using Grant to criticize black community’s over-religious way to shield or fool themselves through harsh life, rather working hard at the root to save themselves from the bottom. The hostility and tension throughout the novel, the one between Grant and his aunt, the one between Reverend and Grant, between Jefferson and Reverend, between those trying to save Jefferson’s soul and other blacks, are more saddening than anything else. No understanding, little encouragement, selfishness, and hatred… isn’t this one of the reasons why they are at the bottom? At the end of story, Jefferson walked to the electric chair like a man, it prides his black people and wins respect from the white, symbolizing the hope and dream the author has for his people. This book should have won the Pulitzer prize.
