Activity 3: conflict
The most important conflict in the novel is racism; racial segregation seems to be the topic around which the entire novel revolves around. The main characters in the novel who are blacks are fed up with the unjust treatment that the whites are giving them yet there is nothing more they can do. All they did was to stand for each other and share the love and the comfort they have. The only hope they have is the love of Christ, which they have since believed that will deliver them from all their sorrows. The blacks have come to accept the fact that they are living in a white dominated society and that there is nothing much they can do for their deliverance.
Activity 1: symbols
The notebook and the chair are important symbols used in the novel to describe relationships and injustice respectively. The notebook is brought by Grant to Jefferson in his prison cell just to help him reflect on his life. It is through this notebook that Jefferson finds himself and decides to reconcile with his friends and relatives. Through the notebook, Jefferson also earns respect and recognition as he realizes how much he is loved and cared about.
The chair is what the whites to execute Jefferson who died an innocent death used. It is a symbol of ridicule to the blacks and a warning that if they dare joke around with the whites, they will face similar consequences. The chair is also a symbol of the crucifixion cross of Jesus who died an innocent death. It serves as a seed planted for the justice of the blacks. When Jefferson sees how many black people come to pay tribute to him, he realizes that his death is no ordinary one. He finds a sense of belonging and ultimately dies victoriously.
Activity 2: question:
- Jefferson has been described to represent the innocent death that Jesus suffered to bring deliverance to humanity, how do you think his death was significant to the deliverance of the black community?
- Despite the fact that Grant had mended his relationship with Jefferson and helped him change his attitude towards life, Jefferson still lived a life of defeat and hopelessness, why do you think this was so?
- The church as used in the novel symbolizes hope for the black man, there is however, a contradiction on how the priest addresses issues of godliness by claiming that people are justified to lie, why is it so?
- Considering the lack of genuine evidence to vindicate Jefferson, do you thing the court had all the rights to convict him considering that all possible witnesses were dead.
- After reading the novel, what in your opinion was the message or lesson that the author was driving at?
Activity 3: character adaptation
In adopting a character, one has to look at the historical background and the behavior displayed by the person; this is for the sole purpose of ensuring that the character passes the message that is so need. There is more to a name that defines a character, for this adaptation, I chose Grant considering that his name implies being given a wish. The biggest wish of the character was to cement his relationship with Jefferson and change his attitude towards what was happening to him. Despite the difficulties he faced, he ultimately had his request granted. However, we realize that the same was not imparted to his own personal life as he remained with many issues that he struggled with. This is used to symbolize the deep roots of racism that have to involve a change of attitude among the blacks. It is only when they recognize and acknowledge their worth in the society that they will gain the acceptance they need.
Activity 4: themes
Racism is the most prominent theme in the novel. The author uses the characters and events to describe how tough the issue of racism was that a black man could easily face death even when there was sufficient evidence to vindicate them. Racism has also been displayed on the attitude that the whites have towards the blacks. Despite the exposure, that a black man has that should ultimately earn him some good status in the society, he is looked down on. According to the whites, any black, irrespective of the exposure they have is not a sober human being but just a confused fellow that does not deserve justice.
Freedom is another vital theme that has been highlighted by the author in the novel. In their quest to find prison, the black man pursues education and ensures that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure that they are accorded equal rights in the society. However, this kind of exposure does not give them the freedom, as treatment towards them remains the same. Blacks are mistreated and made to face death even when they try all they can to exercise and maintain peace.
