Western 1 Michaela Western Ms.

Gardner English 10, Period 2 16 November 2013 Never Justice Boswell, Marshall, and Carl Rollyson, eds. "Gaines, Ernest J." Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 30 Nov. 2013

This biography of Earnest J. Gaines details his studies, from high school onto college. He earned his bachelors degree in 1957 from San Francisco State College, and completed his graduate studies at Stanford University. His novels are centered off his personal experiences of racism; he also let the work of William Faulkner influence his work. His first novel was Catherine Carmier, which was followed by Of Love and Dust, and then that in turn by many leading up to A Lesson Before Dying, which was released in 1993. The only other written work that left Gainess desk after that year was Mozart and Leadbelly: Stories and Essays. In all, Gaines penned six novels up to 2007.

Boswell and Rollyson put together an easy to read biography of Earnest J. Gaines that gives details to key points about his writing, like the personal meaning incorporated into his novels, and information for the student studying Gaines. His experiences with racism in his upbringing and education can be seen crystal clear in novels such as A Lesson Before Dying, where his portrayal of the courtroom resonates with themes reflective of racism. The attorney and jurors are never directly labeled as racist, but the words Gaines chose to use relay that

Western 2 idea from page to reader.

Guzzio, Tracie Church. "Gaines, Ernest." Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 30 Nov. 2013

This biography goes into more depth surrounding Earnest J. Gainess childhood, education, and inspiration for his novels. Most of his novels are set in Louisiana, in small towns like the one he grew up in. His first novel was Catherine Carmier, which was published in 1964, followed by Of Love and Dust in 1967. The publication of these novels gave Gaines a reputation of a promising young writer. The fulfillment of his potential came with the publication of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, in 1971. He was awarded with a Guggenhiem Fellowship in 1973, and this boosted his writing career. A Lesson Before Dying is his most critically acclaimed work; it has earned him a Book Critics Circle Award, and also a MacArthur Foundation Genius Award. His novels have been the subjects of successful televisions movies. His novels contain underlying themes of prejudice, the up and down history of the South, and racism. The connections that these themes hold in his novels are examined in depth.

Biographies that explain why an author wrote what they wrote and why it was written in a certain way are oftentimes more helpful than just the basic birth date, death date and odd fact in between. This biography does a splendid job of this, giving insightful looks into how prejudice was prevalent in Of Love and Dust, or how the South was portrayed from the eyes of a slave in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. There is also an entire paragraph devoted to A Lesson Before Dying, which explains the deeper meaning behind the novel, like the voice that can be heard through Grant Wiggins is that of Mr. Gaines himself. The

Western 3 explanations of Gainess ability to incorporate his own life lessons into his novels are helpful to anyone trying to read his novels and find their true purpose.

Meyer, Michael J. "A Lesson Before Dying." Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 30 Nov. 2013

Michael Myers begins by summarizing Earnest J. Gainess novel, A Lesson Before Dying, in his article containing critique of the novel. After the summary, he lapses into lessons that the characters learn, and references that Gaines is trying to put across. Myers also addresses the criticism that has hit the novel. One of the most prevalent issues that has come out was Gainess use of the Negro spiritual. This was used to shape the novel. Jeffersons transformation from animal back to a man mirrors many Christian parallels, alluding to Biblical incidents, such as the Last Supper. People did not agree with this because they argued that the portrayal and allusions were inaccurate.

Criticism is often used to bring out the worst in a novel, but Myers addresses the positive and negative issues that surround A Lesson Before Dying. Reading the novel, one was hard pressed to find these references that were criticized. The Biblical references did not stand out enough to cause an issue for a reader; they could perhaps be found if one was searching particularly for items to critique. Overall, the analyses of Jefferson and his evolution over the course of Mr. Wigginss educational process was accurate. His transformation was somewhat animal like, but that should not be the focus. The focus should be on the powerful message that overrides any critique: change is possible, and always for the better.

Phillips, Kelly. "The Price of Freedom: What Happens to the Wrongfully Convicted?" Forbes.

Western 4 Forbes Magazine, 01 May 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.

This article, by Kelly Phillips, details the fate of a few cases of people who convicted and imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. For example, Kenneth Waters was convicted of first degree murder, then sentenced to life in prison without parole. Eighteen years later, he was released, after the real culprit was discovered. The law behind unjust conviction is discussed, and the legal procedures that produce it. False testimony and bungled police work are major players in the lead up to the conviction of the innocent. Facts back up the evidence: between 2.3% and 5% of those in U.S. prisons are actually innocent. Twenty-three U.S. states do not offer compensation for those who are wrongfully convicted.

This article has the use of cold hard facts on its side. The stories of people like Kenneth Waters give personal meaning; there are real people whom this happens to, its not just in movies. Jefferson was a victim of unjust conviction, lack of evidence and racist judgment were present in the courts of Louisiana where Jefferson met his fate. There was nothing besides bad timing that could convict Jefferson, yet his attorney made it seem like all of the evidence at the crime scene pointed to Jefferson.

Williams, Hart. "Gaines' A Lesson Before Dying - The Kansas City Star Reviews." Hart Williams. N.p., 08 Aug. 1993. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.

Hart Williams starts off his review with a sentence that both shocks and evokes wonder: This might have been a great book. According to Williams, all the elements are there. So what was missing? Williams argues that there were only resolutions to the conflicts of the dead, not those of the living. We never figure out what the outcome of Grants troubled

Western 5 relationship with Vivian was, we only learn that Jefferson learned his lesson before dying. An argument is made that at pivotal times in the books, Grant and Jefferson are not together. Grant does not attend the execution, even though he is deemed responsible for changing Jefferson from a hog to a man, so he can die like a man. Also, Williams states that Gaines just throws Jeffersons transformation into the novel, that it cannot be seen as a chain of events.

This review is not so much helpful as it was derogatory. There was little content that actually reinforced the claims that Hart Williams makes. For instance, the claim that the transformation cannot be seen is completely inaccurate. The transformation is unclear to one reading the book to find every issue. There has to be a mindset present in the reader. Jefferson can be seen changing from introverted boy, ignorant of anything but his own fate. Enter Grant Wiggins, schoolteacher enlisted by Jeffersons grandmother to save Jefferson from himself. When Jefferson listens to Grants speeches about the real heroes in life, he is actually absorbing the information. The writing in his journal clearly shows this change in state of mind.

Younge, Gary. "The US Supreme Court Thinks Racism Is Dead. It Isn't." The Guardian. N.p., 30 June 2013. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.

This article by Gary Younge describes in detail the unfairness and unjustness that the courts of America have seen. Not just in the courts, but in the general political system. Aparthied is a major example of this. Throughout the years, racial discrimination has been present in places

Western 6 we couldnt think that it would be, such as what are the supposed houses of justice. The author of this article clearly states his point, using academic diction, in a tone that will please either party. This topic of racism in America is a sensitive one, especially with there being so many cases lately, such as the Trayvon Martin case. In the case of Jefferson in A Lesson Before Dying, he is unjustly convicted because of his race, without sufficient evidence and absolutely no witnesses.