Summary of A Lesson Before Dying

A Lesson Before Dying is a novel by Ernest J. Gaines that tells the story of Jefferson, a young black man sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit in a small Louisiana town in the 1940s. The story is narrated by Grant Wiggins, a schoolteacher who is asked by Jefferson’s godmother to visit him in jail and try to help him accept his fate with dignity. Grant reluctantly agrees and visits Jefferson, who initially resists his efforts. As the story progresses, Grant's visits become more frequent and meaningful, and he and Jefferson develop a bond of mutual respect. Through reading and conversation, Grant helps Jefferson to find his own inner strength and to realize that, even in death, he has the power to control his own destiny and leave a legacy of pride and dignity.