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!).