Throughout the story A Lesson Before Dying, the term hog is used in a cruel manner to describe Jefferson. The term hog was first used with intention of possibly reducing his sentence of death. He was being charged for the murder of Mr. Grope the storeowner. It was not uncommon at the time for African Americans to be belittled by being called a hog. Jefferson’s lawyer was referring to him as a hog as an excuse that seemed practical at the time of post-civil war reconstruction era of the time. It was thought in the south that African Americans were inferior to whites at the time, and Jefferson committing murder was just his inability to make proper distinction between right and wrong.
Prior to the verdict being announced both sides the defense and prosecution both had closing statements that had permanent effects upon the story. The prosecution accused Jefferson of being the last man standing after the robbery that went wrong; then stuffing money into his pockets and celebrating the event by drinking over there still-bleeding bodies. This proposal was not even close to true proceedings that happened on that day when Jefferson was cheated into being apart of such an unintelligent pla
In conclusion the author efficiently controls the reader’s sense of imagery by using sensory detail, such as referring to Jefferson as a hog. When Jefferson is first called a hog it has a lasting effect throughout the story. This effect is not only felt by Jefferson but the whole quarter which he lives. He serves as a symbol of hope to everybody. He is proving that just because he is black he is not a rudimentary hog like everyone may believe he is. Jefferson stands for all the people who have never had a chance to prove that they are more than dumb hogs; that they are just as equal as the whites are.
After the judgment had been decided along with the evitable fate of Jefferson his godmother was broken down that court could not spare his life. Miss Emma had always taken care of Jefferson. She was his mama, grandmother, and godmother – his everything. Miss Emma had worked all her life and was now in her early or mid seventies she had lived a not so fortunate life. The way Jefferson’s lawyer put it, “Take this away from her, and she has no reason to go on living. We may see him as not much, but he’s her reason for existence.” This statement just reiterates the importance of Jefferson to Miss Emma whom is j
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