Blog 2.5 Relationships play an important role in this novel. Choose any two important relationships revealed in this book and describe how each is influencial in the development of each participant’s behavior and personality. Cite textual evidence from the novel to support your analysis. 250 words.
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2019-2020 English I Honors 
One important relationship in the novel is between Vivian and Grant. Without their relationship, Grant would not have the will to keep visiting Jefferson, as stated in Ch17. He says to Jefferson that the reason he keeps visiting him is not because of Miss Emma, nor his Aunt, but because Vivian wants him too, and cares about him. This relationship helps develop characters because it encourages Grant to keep visiting for her sake. Another important relationship in the novel is between Grant and Jefferson. While it seems like they both are irritated and uncomfortable with each visit, they actually learn a lot from each other. Grant is learning to find better alternatives than getting angry to fix problems, and Jefferson is learning that there are people that care about him and how he should acknowledge them. These are both examples of character flaws being fixed from Grant and Jefferson’s relationship and visitations.
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The relationship between Vivian and Grant is very important to the novel. Vivian pulls a different side out grant, a caring and compassionate side. this is important because Grant is very cynical he believes that people should be worried only about self preservation. but he sometimes worries more about Vivian than himself this is shown by his refusal to leave her even though he wants to leave his hometown to California a great example of this is on page 29, where Gains writes “That’s not what’s keeping you here. Even after the divorce you’ll still feel committed.’ ‘and you grant?’ … then why haven’t you gone?’ ‘because of you” this conversation is between Grant and Vivian after Grant Purposed that they just leave. go somewhere where they can “have a choice” instead of living the same things for their whole lives. you even see him complain about things being the same at the Christmas event. his want to leave is selfish, but he hasn’t left yet, that what Vivian does to him. another important relationship in this book is the relationship between Mrs. Emma and Mr. Henri. while Grant and Vivian’s relationship is very mutual the relationship between Mr. Henri and Mrs. Emma is very one sided, in Emma’s favor. Emma is very manipulative to everyone, but her interaction with Mr. Henri shows this best. this can be shown by the interaction between the two in chapter three where Gains writes “i done done a lot for this family and this place, Mr. Henri’ she said ‘all i’m asking you talk to the sheriff for me. I done done a lot for this family over the years” the repeating of her saying “i done done a lot” shows her Manipulative nature. she gets what she wants by guilt-Tripping people into doing what she wants.
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One important relationship in the novel is that of Jefferson and Grant. Grant is allowed to visit Jefferson to try to give him some dignity before he dies. Their relationship is important because he is the only person who can help change his mind. Jefferson must trust Grant for him to get his dignity back. He must believe that he is more than just an animal that was destined to die. Grant must use his knowledge to help him. Another important relationship is between Grant and Vivian. She is the main reason Grant is visiting Jefferson because that’s what she wants him to do. She believes that he can help Jefferson and she cares for him. Without Vivian, Grant would not go to see Jefferson because he does not think he is capable of helping him get dignity in the time he has left. Both of these relationships are important to the novel because they are both contributing to how much Grant can help. If Jefferson did not trust Grant there would be no point in going and if Vivian did not want Grant to go he wouldn’t because he does not believe that he can help.
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One important relationship in the book is Grant and Vivian’s. The impact that Vivian has on Grant’s behavior is important because she is what keeps him going to see Jefferson. “If you’re talking about Vivian, it’s Vivian who keeps me coming here.” She is what encourages him to keep talking and visiting with him, which will eventually help Jefferson. Their relationship affects Vivian by making her want to help Grant and encourage him to keep seeing Jefferson to help. Another important relationship is Grant and Jeffersons. Grant cares for Jefferson enough to keep seeing him, and to make him want to help him feel like a man rather than a hog. “Hogs don’t worry. Hogs just know,” he said. “Hogs don’t know anything, Jefferson,” I said. “Only human beings know. Only human beings worry” This shows Jefferson trying to help Jefferson realize he is human and not a hog, after Jefferson was convinced he was an animal after what his lawyer said. The relationship between Grant and Jefferson affects Jefferson’s behavior by making him more comfortable. At first Jefferson wouldn’t say a word, but as Grant kept visiting he began to talk. Both of the relationships affect the people’s behaviors, and affects how the book plays out. Without Vivian, Grant would not be motivated to help jefferson. Without Grant, Jefferson wouldn’t get help.
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The relationships in the book are very important to the actions and behavior of each character because the relationships help them understand what they need to do and why. For example, Grant’s relationship with Vivian. Without Vivian Grant would have never helped Jefferson and he would have continued on without another though, but she made him act like a better person and help Jefferson. For example the book says “Not your nannan, not my aunt. Vivian. If I didn’t have Vivian, I wouldn’t be in this damn hole. Because I know damn well I’m not doing any good, for you or for any of the others. Do you hear what I’m saying to you? Do you?” This shows that without Vivian Grant would not have tried to help Jefferson and he would have continued on without any extra stress or effort in his life. This helped develop Grant as a person and make him more thoughtful, as well as make him care about other people and what they believe about themselves. Another important relationship is Jefferson and Miss Emma. Miss Emma took care of Grant his whole life and is his godmother. Grant often tries to use Emma as leverage to make Jefferson think about other people. We know that Jefferson loves Emma, but he decides no to show it. For example, the text says ““No matter how bad off we are,” I said, “we still owe something. You owe something, Jefferson. Not to me. Surely not to that sheriff out there. But to your godmother. You must show her some understanding, some kind of love.” Grant knows that he loves her, but he will not show it. It is developing Jefferson and Grant because we know that Jefferson still cares but Grant can not get it out of him. This is developing both Gant to be more caring and try harder, but Jefferson because we are finding out that he does still care.
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i like how you mentioned grants and Vivian relationship with great detail. good job!
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Miss Emma and Jefferson’s relationship is the reason that Grant will be teaching Jefferson to be a man and give him dignity. Miss Emma and Jefferson’s relationship is the reason Miss Emma won’t let Jefferson die the way he is. “It matters to me, Jefferson, she said, You matter to me.” because of the love that Miss Emma has for Jefferson is the reason she hasn’t given up on him like everyone else, and the reason she has been fighting for him, and fighting to help him when everyone else thinks it is pointless. Vivian and Grant’s relationship is the reason that Grant keeps seeing Jefferson, because Vivian wants him to. Vivian is the reason Grant has not run yet, because of their relationship Grant will help Jefferson. “If they say yes, I want you to go for me.” Because Vivian wants Grant to help Jefferson is the reason that he keeps going to Jefferson.“If you’re talking about Vivian, it’s Vivian who keeps me coming here.”
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great evidence and explanation
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I think in the novel “A Lesson Before Dying” the two most important relationships in this novel are Grant and Jefferson, and Grant and Vivian. In the novel grant and jefferson are seen through the multiple visits that even though they are not blood related they connect from their experiences as being black males, and i feel they connect because they both are in a prison.. Physically and mentally. Jefferson is seen in shackles and chains and in a cell, getting minimum time and little food to eat with other prisoners. While Grant is in a mental prison of his own made by his hated opinion on whites and his distance from the black community, and his arrogance when speaking to people. In chapter 17 it says, “But i recognize his grin for what it was— the expression of the most heartrending pain i had ever seen on anyone’s face. I rubbed my fist with my left hand, and gradually I began to relax.” This piece of evidence shows how Grant connects with Jefferson and even though Jefferson is trying to set Grant off, Grant understands Jefferson’s feelings and connects to him and tries to get him to realize everything’s going to be okay in a way. Grants & Vivian relationships are also important because of them being in this close of a relationship. Vivian helps grant stop his arrogance and being self centered so that he can live more peacefully living in the south, even with his hatred of whites. In chapter 12 Vivian says to grant “you love them more than you hate this place.” in hope for grant to realize that not all is so bad and she wants grant to realize you ant just run away from everything and that hopefully his habits stop so he can live with a looming cloud over him all the time.
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Two important relationships in the novel are the relationship between Grant and Vivian and between Jefferson and Grant. Grant and Vivian’s relationship is important to the story because Vivian brings out Grant’s more compassionate side, and he is more likely to do something if it was for her. In chapter 17, it stated that Grant told Jefferson he was not visiting him because his aunt or Miss Emma asked him to, but because Vivian wants him to, and that she cares for him.
Because of this relationship, Grant is more encouraged to keep visiting Jefferson. The relationship between Grant and Jefferson is also important because each of them learn something from one another, even though both of them are uncomfortable and upset with this situation. Jefferson learned that some people actually did care for him and that he does have some dignity, and Grant learned that there are better ways to fix things other than getting angry.
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