A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J.

GainesAn Introduction

The Author: Ernest J. Gaines

The Author: Ernest J. Gaines

The Author: Ernest J. Gaines

Fast Facts on the Author

He was born on a Louisiana plantation in 1933 during the Great Depression.

He was raised by his courageous Aunt Jefferson – perhaps the reason why the hero of the novel carries the same surname.

Gaines worked in the fields digging potatoes, just like the schoolchildren in this novel.

Fast Facts on the Author

At fifteen, his family moved to Vallejo, California where he discovered the public library, inspiring his love for literature and later passion for writing.

Many of his stories are based on memories from his own childhood.

Literary and Historical Background

While the novel takes place in the 1940’s, the novel was not written until 1993.

The story is fictional. However, it reflects the time period in a historically accurate way.Racism is entrenched.Jim Crow laws are in effect (continued until

1965)“Separate but equal.” upheld by the Supreme

court in Plessy vs. Ferguson in 1896There is tension between educated and

uneducated blacks, between light and dark-skinned blacks…

Major Themes and Motifs• Racism• Obligation• Redemption• What it means to be a hero• Captivity and Freedom

GhettopolyDiscuss the following:

You are the manager of the national chain store. The president of the company decides that all stores must sell the new board game “Ghettopoly.” Would you would protest the president’s decision, or proceed to sell the game?

Be sure to consider:• Does it make any difference whether the game was made

today versus back during the Jim Crow Years?• Does it matter whether or not the creator of the game was

black?• Does it matter who the company is targeting when

advertising the product? (i.e. who they expect to buy the game)