Topic 1: Burrage 3

   I chose topic one because I understand where Wiggins is coming from. Grant is frustrated from the problems that are occurring in his life. Grant Wiggins was having problems with his relationship with Vivian. Also, he was frustrated with the situation with Jefferson because Grant doesn't know how to teach a grown man how to be a man. Grant was getting so frustrated that he started taking his anger out on the kids at the church or school.
   Throughout the story, Grant and Vivian was setting up meetings to see each other. They have to keep their love life a secret, because Vivian is still married. Grant loves Vivian and Vivian loves Grant. Because of the love they have for each other, they sneak and do these things so there can be a future for them. The divorce will lead to them moving and starring a life with each other. The problem that Grant has with Jefferson is that he doesn't know how to teach a man how to be a man. Grant asks people to help him understand. Also, Jefferson is giving him a difficult time. Jefferson starts to think Grant and Miss Emma is doing the same thing. That's why he doesn't eat their food either. With his relationship problems with Vivian and his frustration and anger out on the kids at the church or school. When he arrives at the church one day he comes upset. This little girl was, standing in in class and he yells at her to sit down. He doesn't have faith in God, but he still teaches the children the rules of him. He was being disrespectful to the kids. Grant anger causes him to disrupt the class.
  

Topic 1: Burrage 2

   The quote, "We black men have failed to protect our women since the time and slavery. We stay here in the south and are broken, or we run away and leave them alone to book after the children and themselves, " come from chapter 21 and was spoken from Grant. This quote represents the effect of slavery. The effect of slavery doesn't just effect this time period, but anything a little before or after this time period. Even though slavery ended that doesn't mean racism did. That's one problem that occurred in the story. In the book, the end of slavery made it hard for blacks in the south to find work or to get what supplies they need. This was not only in the south, but hard for blacks anywhere. Some black people couldn't take care of the family because of the skin of their color. That's one of the reasons that Jefferson ended in the situation he was in. He was judged at the scene by his color of his skin. He didn't have a chance to give an explanation. There can be no slavery, but as long as racism is alive there will always be a problem with the color of your skin. Not only for blacks, but could be a problem for whites, too.
   "Do I know how a man supposed to die?  Am I supposed to tell someone how to die who has never lived?" This quote is from chapter 4 and was spoken from Grant Wiggins. Also, this quote is represented for what's going on throughout the book. It is showing that Grant does not know what to do to help Jefferson become a man. Grant also thinks doing this doesn't matter. It won't change the fact that Jefferson is going to die. With the struggle of doing that, Grant sometimes takes his frustration out on the students at the school or church.Not to mention his trouble with his love life. This quote represents the frustration and struggle he's going through. He asks for help so he can learn and be able to teach Jefferson the qualities of being a man.

Topic 1: Burrage 1

Charles Burrage

Mr. Reese

Eng 11

15 March 2017

                    A Lesson Before Dying

  I chose this topic because I understand where Wiggins is coming from. He's frustrated from everything that is going on in his life. Wiggins didn't have to bring his problems and relationship into his work place. He should've left it outside of the classroom and church. Also, he didn't have to take his anger out on the children. Unfortunately, even though Wiggins doesn't have faith  in God,  he still teaches the kids about the Bible. He loses his faith,  because Wiggins thinks it's all a fib. He thinks God doesn't help him in life. He realized that God is real and he regains his faith. Throughout the story I realized how wiggins and I are the same. The only thing I don't agree with is him losing his faith. No matter what you should never question God and the things he do or put you through.
  For my first quote, I chose the line, "We black men have failed to protect our women since the time of slavery. We, stay here in the South and are broken, or we run away and leave them alone to look after the children and themselves." This quote came from chapter 21 and was said from Grant. This quote represent the effects that slavery has during this time and in this story. Even though it ended, it still made it hard for people not only in the south, but for people anywhere. My second quote is "Do I know how a man who is supposed to die? Am I supposed to tell someone how to die who has never lived?" This quote came from chapter 4 and also came from Grant Wiggins. This quote represents that Grant doesn't know what to tell Jefferson about becoming a man. This is the reason he asks for help to teach him how to be a man.