A Lesson Before Dying
Ernest J. Gaines
Story
Grant Wiggins, a teacher in small-town Louisiana, is asked to spend his free time on death row helping young Jefferson become a man before he's executed. It takes place eighty years after the abolition of slavery, but the black characters of this novel still live as third-class citizens. They live and work on a plantation. They are segregated from the white people in the town in every aspect of their lives, from bathrooms to movie theatres.
Alleged Crime
Jefferson is very much in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnesses a robbery-murder at a liquor store. He is convicted of murder and sentenced to death by electrocution. In his trial his defense lawyer compares him to a hog that isn't worth killing.
Electric Chair
Jefferson was to be killed by electric chair.
"He's Not A Hog"
The reason Grant is helping Jefferson is that Jefferson's Aunt wants to prove the lawyer wrong for saying Jefferson is a hog who doesn't deserve killing.
Segregation
Even after slavery was abolished, segregation was strong.
Characterization
Grant is an educated black man who doesn't like his hometown and would much rather be teaching somewhere else. He is quite cynical and is enraged by the segration. He is definitely a very interesting character.
I can't wait to continue reading The Lesson Before Dying!