A Lesson Before Dying Part 1

As I begin the novel A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines, I see only a few connections between the story and our current topic in class, Puritanism. The connections are formed not mostly by similarities found in the book and the time period of Puritanism but are created by sharp contrasts.The novel follows the conviction of a man named Jefferson as he gets wrongly convicted of murder through the eyes of Grant another black man in the community that is educated and a schoolteacher. He is asked by his aunt and Jefferson's grandmother to go become close with Jefferson and help him cope with what will soon come.


Grant displays a resent for his life situation and anger at his immediate displacement in society because of his race. He hates that even though he is educated and an abiding citizen he can't advance. This is something that I recognized because it is a parallel with the emotions from Anne Bradstreet's poems that we read in class. The automatic disadvantages of society on them is what hindered them yet both Grant and Bradstreet found success despite of their situations. Another noticeable similarity in the two was their feeling of  not being appreciated by the world. The comparasions by Bradstreet to male authors that might not be as competent as her and Grant's reactions to Tante Lou's request are evidence of this.
 

            Unique. Certain characteristics cause no two human beings on earth to be indistinguishable from one another. Three parts: the mind, the body, and the spirit compose a person. Every one person becomes unique and in the process of the discerning themselves people develop symbols that are very important to them but, carry no importance in another human being’s eyes. On the surface these objects give the impression of mere objects, but to that one person hold much more significance. These objects carry conclusive importance and make that person unique. Ultimately, these sacred possessions form that person into an individual apart from others. I can apply this idea to my own life bearing in mind that in my diminutive time on earth; I have been able to identify some of the commodities that make me in to who I am.

Weekday afternoons at school were filled with anticipation for me, because I got to go to my grandmother’s house after the long bus ride. My grandmother’s house had all the food, fun, and most importantly the rocking chair. The first generation Laz-Boy reclining, rocking chair was the place I released my days’ worth of kindergarten, the place where my grandmother gave life lessons made simple for me to understand. A majority of people who might get asked what a rocking chair symbolizes or means would say that relaxation takes place in a rocking chair. For me that worn recliner took on a much heartfelt meaning. Since the passing of my grandmother in 2010, the rocking chair has come to symbolize number of feelings for me. The first of which is release from all that bothers me. Thinking about my grandmother and that rocking chair is the one manner that I can do to completely clear my head and not worry about that huge essay or critical test that I need. This chair also symbolizes advice for me: when I find myself with problem at hand that I think cannot solve on my own I picture my grandmother looking down on me, rocking me in that squeaky chair, I think what would she tell me to do and that helps me get pass whatever encumbrances me.

Bowties: a tactic to make the ultimate fashion statement and also a quintessential tool I put practice in making myself distinctive compared to my peers. They come in a copious amount of variety and no tie matches with another. Bowties took on a profounder meaning in my life during my freshmen year in high school when I found myself wearing a new bowtie every time I put on casual clothes. The simple bowtie evolved into a symbol of freedom, personality, mood, and fun in my life. I feel as though I use my tie best as a tool to feel free because no one can dictate to me which ties I have to dress: it is my own choice to make. The manner with which I dress is one way that I express who I am to the outside world so, with my ties I can show my fun and unique flavor. The colors in the ties I wear represent my mood and it is one way I choose which tie I am going to wear: if I am wearing a black and grey tie the event I am going to palls me. No one would ever know that I am trying to express that because the ties are only significant to me; anyone else would just see a stylish fifteen year old.

                These symbols make me, Ellis Herring, unique from everyone else. They help me survive the brutal world we live in and keep a minute sense of sanity. The nuisances of me come from these objects that appear normal, everyday, or insignificant to the world but, make up all the matter in the world to me. The greatness of life is that every person has the choice to make his or her own decisions that make that person great in their own eyes; and as we all know the thoughts of others contain no significance.

 

Life Symbol

      Three parts: the mind, the body, and the spirit compose a person. Every one person becomes unique and in the process of the finding themselves people develop symbols that are very important to them but, could be meaningless to another human being. On the surface these objectsexactly what they are mere objects, but to that one person hold much more significance. These objects carry conclusive importance and make that person unique. Ultimately, forming that person into who they are. I can apply this idea to my own life considering that in my short time on earth; I have been able to identify some of the commodities that make me in to who I am.
            Weekday afternoons at school were filled with anticipation for me, because I got to go to my grandmother’s house after the long bus ride. My grandmother’s house had all the food, fun, and most importantly the rocking chair. The first generation Laz-Boy reclining, rocking chair was the place I released my days’ worth of kindergarten, the place where my grandmother gave life lessons made simple for me to understand. A majority of people who might get asked what a rocking chair symbolizes or means would say that it is a place for relaxation and serenity. For me that worn rocking took on a much denser meaning. Since the passing of my grandmother in 2010 the rocking chair has come to symbolize some things in my life the first of which is release from all that bothers me. Thinking about my grandmother and that rocking chair is the one thing I can do to completely clear my head and not worry about that big essay or critical test that I need. This chair also symbolizes advice for me: when I find myself with problem at hand that I think cannot solve on my own I picture my grandmother looking down on me, rocking me in that squeaky chair, I think what would she tell me to do and that helps me get pass whatever is burdening me.
              Bowties: the way to make the ultimate fashion statement. They come in a copious amount of variety and no two are the same. Bowties took deeper meaning in my life during my freshmen year in high school when I found myself wearing a new bowtie every time I put on casual clothes. The simple bowtie evolved into a symbol of freedom, personality, mood, and fun in my life. Ti feel as though my ties are a tool I can use to feel free because no one can dictate to me which ties I have to wear: it is my own choice. The way I dress is one way that I express who I am to the outside world so, with my ties I can show my fun and unique flavor. The colors in the ties I wear represent my mood and it is one way I choose which tie I am going to wear: if I am wearing a black and grey tie the event I am going to bores me. No one would ever know that I am trying to express that because the ties are  only significant to me; anyone else would just see a stylish fifteen year old.
               
              These symbols make me, Ellis Herring, unique from everyone else. They help me survive the brutal world we live in and keep a minute sense of sanity. The nuisances of me come from these objects that might be normal, everyday insignificant to the world but, make up all the matter in the to world to me. The greatness of life is that every person has the choice to make his or her own decisions that make that person great in their own eyes; and as we all know nothing else matters.