A Lesson Before Dying

Grant describes the cycle of life for black men in the South to Vivian. What is his answer to the question: "Can the cycle ever be broken?" Is the answer relevant today?

lesson before dying

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Grant thinks black men are bound to fail at a responsible life because, if nothing else, they bear all the failures of black men in the past. When Vivian asks Grant what can change this cycle, Grant answers “It’s up to Jefferson, my love.” Jefferson is the misunderstood Christ-figure. How he goes to his death will determine if the black man can break this cycle. Is the legacy of the irresponsible black man true today? I really can't answer that. It seems like a stereotype best dealt with by sociologists.