wise horrific event. Another thing also stood out to me, similar to the previous quote. “Yes I told myself. It is finally over. I stood up and stretched and looked across the highway at the river, so tranquil, its water as blue as the sky. The willows near the edge of the water were just as still, and no breeze stirred the Spanish moss that hung from the cypresses.” Grant’s reflection on the atmosphere after the death of Jefferson creates a sense of perfect harmony within the little town that was in commotion just a few hours before. The river was perfect, and the willows did not move out of respect for the dead. This quote is a perfect example of how a novel is not just about the main story, but also about the little things that make a big impression.I think the previous two quotes also stand out for another reason. Not only is the setting tranquil on the day Jefferson dies, but it also seems to counterpart the dignity Jefferson had accepting his death. It is as if the even the earth is walking with him because he has grown that much as a person. The world around him wants to help him be human as opposed to a hog. If he had fought his death until the last moment, I think that the weather might have been just a little more inclement. I believe that Gaines made Paul a prevalent character at the end to show a white person’s role in Jefferson’s life and death. Paul comes into play through a conversation he has with Grant about Jefferson’s execution. At the end of his conversation, Paul tells Grant “I don’t ever want to forget this day. I don’t ever want to forget him.” (p255). I enjoyed the way that Gaines used Paul at the end to become someone significant to the plot. But what is even more powerful is the impression that a black man (Jefferson) made on a white man. Paul was truly moved by the improvements Grant made with Jefferson. Paul came to respect Grant as a teache...
