English Passage ID's Flashcards
“Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this” (8).
Speaker: Jefferson’s defense attorney.
Context: In the courtroom during Jefferson’s trial.
Significance: The defense attorney compares Jefferson to a hog. This suggests that racism is dehumanizing.
“Tante Lou, Miss Emma, Jefferson is dead. It is only a matter of weeks, maybe a couple of months – but he’s already dead. The past twenty-one years, we’ve done all we could for Jefferson” (14).
Speaker: Grant Wiggins
Context: After Jefferson is sentenced, in Tante Lou’s house.
Significance: This shows Grant is hopeless/pessimistic. This also shows that Grant is unwilling to challenge racism. Shows that Grant refuses the “call to adventure”/makes him unheroic.
“Open wide, say ‘Ahhh’—and he would have the poor children spreading out their lips as far as they could while he peered into their mouths. At the university I had read about slave masters who had done the same when buying new slaves, and I had read of cattlemen doing it when purchasing horses and cattle. At least Dr. Joseph had graduated to the level where he let the children spread out their own lips, rather than using some kind of crude metal instrument. I appreciated his humanitarianism” (56).
Speaker: Grant Wiggins
Context: During Dr. Joseph’s visit to the school house.
Significance: Grant compares Dr. Joseph’s inspection of the children to cattlemen inspecting cattle and horses. This illustrates the idea that racism is dehumanizing.
“My heart suddenly started pumping too fast. I made a fist of my right hand. If he had been standing, I would have hit him. If he had been anyplace else, I would have made him get up and I would have hit him. I would have hit any other man for saying that. But I recognized his grin for what it as – the expression of the most heart rendering pain I had ever seen on anyone’s face. I rubbed y fist with my left hand, and gradually I began to relax” (130).
Speaker: Grant Wiggins
Context: In the jail cell, just before Grant’s students perform the Christmas play.
Significance: Grant is tempted to hit Jefferson, but he restrains himself. This shows Grant is becoming less hostile and violent. Also shows Grant is gaining empathy.
“’Jefferson,’ I said. We had started walking. ‘Do you know what a hero is, Jefferson? A hero is someone who does something for other people. He does something that other men don’t and can’t do. He is different from other men. He is above other men. No matter who those other men are, the hero, no matter who he is, is above them. I could never be a hero.’” (191).
Speaker: Grant Wiggins
Context: In the dayroom at the courthouse just before the fight at the Rainbow club.
Significance: Grant doesn’t realise that in many ways he fulfills his own definition of heroism. He helps Jefferson and communicates with Jefferson when others cannot do so or will not do so.
“’Yes, you know. You know, all right. That’s why you look down on me, because you know I lie. At wakes, at funerals, at weddings—yes, I lie. I lie at wakes and funerals to relieve pain. ‘Cause reading, writing, and ‘rithtmetic is not enough. You think that’s all they sent you o school for? They sent you to school to relieve pain, to relieve hurt—and if you have to lie to do it, then you like. You lie and you lie and you lie’” (218).
Speaker: Reverend Ambrose
Context: In Grant’s bedroom just after the fight at the Rainbow club.
Significance: Reverend Ambrose tells Grant it is ok to lie to relieve pain. This raises the question, “Is it ever okay to lie?”
