July 8, 2011
Pages 67 - 85
Chapters 9 - 11
Throughout these chapters Grant has a shift in character. After telling his aunt that he feels like she's betraying him, it seems as if he is less angry. The biggest event that took place was Grant going to see Jefferson by himself. There Grant showed more patience than I though he would, and he did it for Miss Emma, even though he originally resisted wanting to talk to Jefferson at all. Perhaps this indicates Grant may care more for the people in his community than he lets on.
Grant seems truly bothered after his visit with Jefferson. This happened because Jefferson kept referring to himself as a hog, saying he's worthless. I think Grant is seeing what effects the racist remarks have on some African Americans, especially the ones not as educated as he is. So what does that mean for others in the community like Jefferson? Maybe the importance of Jefferson's death is for not only Jefferson to take pride in himself, but also teach others to believe in themselves also.
But I think Jefferson is smarter than he lets one. I believe he is choosing to act like a hog, and believe what the white men say about him out of self-preservation. Hogs don't feel emotions, they don't care if they're going to be killed. They're animals. I feel as if Jefferson thinks by acting like a hog and considering himself one, maybe being electrocuted won't be so hard. He won't have to feel it. He won't have to feel bad about the people he's leaving behind. He has no worries. It seems like the easiest way out.
So how can Grant reach him? Grant asks Jefferson a series of rhetorical questions to make him reconsider what he's doing. He ask him about "letting the white men win," to try to appeal to the anger and pride that lies within Jefferson. People often make decisions based on their emotions so maybe Grant is on the right path to trying to get Jefferson to snap out of the self-loathing mindset he has right now.
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