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1. In Chapter 1, Gaines summarizes Jefferson’s trial. Explain the strategy the defense attorney uses hoping to prevent Jefferson from receiving the death penalty. How does his defense set up the novel’s conflict? The defense attorney claimed that Jefferson was innocent of all charges except for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Mr. Grop`e had shot Brother and Bear but had not shot Jefferson. That had to have meant something. The attorney called Jefferson a “boy” and pardoned himself for almost calling him a “man.” Though Jefferson was twenty-one, he was nothing but a child in a white man’s eyes. He was at the crime due to his own “plain stupidity.” Jefferson was not only a boy, but a “fool” as well. By calling him a fool, the defense attorney eliminates Jefferson’s sense of right and wrong. He had gotten into the car because Bear had told him to. Jefferson’s attorney then brought up Jefferson’s appearance. He asked the jury to find intelligence in Jefferson’s flat skull and deeply set eyes, stereotypical African-American features. Because he was black, he was incapable of planning such a murder and robbery. He was only smart enough to hold the handle of a plow, because his “skull holds no plans.” Next the defense attorney tried to play on the jury’s emotions by telling them Jefferson was the only “reason for living” in his mother, grandmother, and godmother’s life. At the end of the defense attorney’s statement, he brought up the supposition that Jefferson was guilty. He told the jury to be merciful because there was no justice in taking Jefferson’s life. It would be like putting a “hog in the electric chair.” The attorney’s defense set up the novel in the way that the reader sees Jefferson as a meek but foolish character. He was pronounced guilty, and the morbid tone of his impending death followed throughout the story. (285) 2. In Chapter 7, Superintendent Joseph’s character functions as commentary on the educational system of 1940’s Louisiana. What attitudes, racial and otherwise, are suggested by his actions, demeanor and words when he comes for the annual school inspection? Mr. Joseph Morgan was the white superintendent of schools. At once, the reader perceived him as haughty and domineering. He called Grant Wiggins by the name “Higgins,” a mispronunciation that conveyed his attitude of indifference. His “hummms” and short grunts made up his terse conversation with Mr. Wiggins. He showed no respect towards Wiggins, who was an educated and knowledgeable teacher. As Morgan made his inspection of the class, he sat leaning in Wiggins’s chair, as Wiggins sat on the bench off to the side. Though the superintendent treated the children well during his examination, his façade of benevolence was overrun by his belief that black children should only receive a small amount of education, and should primarily work the fields as farm hands. Morgan inspected the children by telling them to pull apart their lips so he could peer inside their mouths. He examined them much like a man would an animal. Wiggins was surprised himself that Morgan hadn’t brought any crude metal instruments to assist his inspection. Mr. Morgan concluded his visit by telling the children to keep picking cotton and pulling onions because the hard work was good for their growing bodies. This was the most unbelievable and racist sentence in the chapter. He had come to help them as an educator, but told them to work in the fields for the state’s benefit. Superintendent Morgan was the first hypocritical character in a novel representing the hypocrisy of black oppression under a racist system. (247) 3. In Chapter 8, Matthew Antoine, Grant’s former teacher and predecessor, is introduced. How does their conversation help the reader better understand Grant’s character? Grant attended the school at which he taught. Grant's former teacher, Matthew Antoine, gave Grant the attitude he held. His defeated, resentful cynicism contributed to Grant’s bitterness. He had told Grant that “most of us would die violently, and those who did not would be brought down to the level of beasts.” As a gullible child, Grant grew up on Antoine’s statement about the lowliness of blacks.
Approximate Word count = 2782
Approximate Pages = 11.1
(250 words per page double spaced)
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