Weights

The unnerving atmosphere in Grant's village in A Lesson before Dying are evident. Grant is presented with the seemingly impossible task of making Jefferson become a man -- nothing else, just a man. What does making someone into a man mean? This is a job that he is NOT trained to deal with as a teacher -- it's like the UChicago essays that (in my opinion) are so vague that it's kinda stupid (don't worry I'm not applying there -- but don't get me wrong it's a great university I just don't really like their prompts... there are other ways to instigate creativity for your applicants I mean common man). Hence, it's not surprising that he doesn't want to deal with this problem -- however, Ms. Emma's passive aggressiveness and his aunt's (not so passive) implications put him in a pretty bad bind, making him put down his educational pride to act like how the white folks want him to act... and from there teach Jefferson how to be a man, when it's not so clear that he is one himself. Huh, I guess UChicago apps aren't too bad after reading all of this...

Then there's Jefferson -- he knows he's gonna die, and his expiration date has been set. That's more than enough to make one lose their will to do anything... like none of us can imagine what it would be like... obviously it would depend on the person, but how would one be a man in that situation? How does he feel about being lectured into being a man? I mean why would he care to be a man or not - he's gonna die soon anyways. Maybe he just doesn't want to have anything to do with anyone, cursing his own life (again that would be understandable). Would this make Ms. Emma selfish? Would Jefferson really benefit from becoming a man, or would it just make Ms. Emma feel slightly better? We don't really get that much from Jefferson's point of view, but through his dialogue it looks like he initially cursed his life, but now has found at least something he enjoys - listening to the radio. He kind of starts talking to Grant too now, but is it because he wants to be a man? Maybe he's starting to feel lonely? But why would he then not talk until everyone leaves, then listen to the radio?

This post is everywhere - not trying to make excuses but it's been a really long day with apps - but I guess the point I'm trying to make is who's more stressed out -- Grant or Jefferson? Jefferson would obviously be stressed out since he has a set date to die, but it's all in place and he can't change anything about it -- maybe he just accepted his fate and is just like "whatever". Grant, however, still has the rest of his life to live AND has to make Jefferson a man - he's also dealing with a jealous reverend - what if Ms. Emma isn't satisfied, and haunts him until she dies? This isn't a matter of life and death like Jefferson, but more of face. Honestly, the stakes are pretty high for Grant too - living a life of shame and disappointing others sounds pretty hellish to me (and considering a lot of people call him professor, they all treat him like the wise one around -- and as the "elder" (but like not exactly since he's still relatively young), the people expect a lot from you. That's a lot to live up to!).

Anse... what you tryin to do...

This blog post is inspired by all the crap people have given him in blog posts. Here's another one.

1. Ok first of all what's up with you and getting another wife while burying your current one??? That's nasty, unethical, and just like... what was Addie nothing to you? And seriously ur marrying this person because she let u borrow two shovels... r u rlly that worthless (yea u are)... I mean common at least take her out to lunch before you declare her as your wife like sheesh.

2. Why you just be taking people's stuff like that... THEY'RE YOUR KIDS (except for Jewel but you don't know that) do you have no shame... see your kids WORKED for what they had - Cash saved up money because hes a legit carpenter (oh did I forget to mention HES LEGIT), Jewel secretly works at night to get his horse and he didn't even eat any of your hay, Dewey Dell... ok I'll give you credit for Dewey Dell because you didn't know she was trying to get an abortion... but common you even (arguably) took away a 5-year-old's dream of getting a toy train...

3. Why you be so hard-headed?  Like everyone knows that part is way too flooded are you trying to get everyone killed? Like you send ur sons (except Jewel - I can see why Addie had that affair tho) to do the grunt work THOSE R UR CHILDREN do you not have paternal love (no you dont)??? Just borrow  the Tull's horse "oh yea dude I don't wanna be using nobody I wanna do things myself" BOI you're literally using your children AND UR STILL DEPENDENT ON PEOPLE oh so that's why you had to get yourself a new wife, because if you don't you'll keep on having stupid ideas like putting cement on legs as a cast (seriously use some damn sticks its cheaper and why the cement like really...).

Ok imma tone this down a bit and give him what little credit he deserves:

1. Ok back then without all that technology and what not, it's hard to afford love in a marriage... like we take it for granted now but back then it's a lot more about survival... especially for country folk I guess. A wife is necessary to keep your farm going - got it. Still though...

2. Well if you didn't steal it they wouldn't have ever given it to you, and hence you can't buy your mules and you want your own mules because that's what Addie wanted.... wait hold up in the chapter Addie narrated she never said that...

3. Ok seriously you're trash if you have your kids do that and you don't help I mean Cash is limping like unless your like really weak you should at least help out... at least you didn't throw Vardaman down there...

4. Like I said in a comment on someone else's blog, Anse straight up triggers me, so if I sound especially pissed that's why. He's probably not as bad as I make him sound, but you know everyone's biased to some degree. I also apologize to Anse for being so rude but like really though common man...