A Lesson Before Dying- Quotations Analysis.
" I had gone to barbershops;I had stood on street corners, and i had gone to many suppers in the quarter.But i had never really listened to what was being said.Then i began to listen, to listen closely to how they taked about their heroes, how they talked about the dead and how great the dead had once been. I heard it everywhere." (p.90)
Questions
1.Does the quote Characterize Grant, Jefferson, or another character? If so, in what way does it characterize?
2.Does the quote symbolize the lack of freedom of a black person at this time? Does the quote symbolize the history of oppression of a black person? if so, to what part of history does the quote relate?
Once you write up YOUR THOUGHTS, please re-post, and someone here will be happy to comment.
Grant is wise
1. The quote characterizes Grant, the protagonist of the novel, in a way that demonstrates his personal growth and development throughout the story. In the beginning, Grant admits that he never really listened to the conversations happening around him in his community. However, as he spends more time with the people in his hometown, particularly those on the margins of society, Grant begins to truly listen to their stories, experiences, and discussions about heroes and the deceased.
By highlighting Grant's shift in attitude towards actively listening, the quote characterizes him as someone who initially had a limited understanding of those around him but gradually becomes more receptive and empathetic to the voices and stories of his community members.
2. Yes, the quote can also symbolize the lack of freedom and the history of oppression faced by black people during the time the novel is set, which is the 1940s in the American South. Grant's realization that he never truly listened to the conversations happening around him could represent the larger societal problem of black voices not being heard or valued.
The quote also alludes to the reverence and admiration given to past heroes and the deceased within the African American community. This symbolizes the resilience of black people and the importance of remembering and honoring their history, despite the challenging and oppressive circumstances they faced.
In terms of the specific part of history to which the quote relates, it highlights the ongoing struggle for equality and justice faced by black people in the United States, particularly during the era of racial segregation and Jim Crow laws. The conversations about heroes and the deceased reflect the tradition of finding strength and inspiration from the past in order to navigate and overcome the daily struggles of racism and discrimination.