A Lesson Before Dying Mortality Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

"Why not let the hog die without knowing anything?" (4.107)

Grant is wrestling with himself here, wondering whether it's worthwhile at all to help someone when you know they're going to die anyway. However, isn't that the case of all of us? We may not be sitting on death row, but we are all mortals (except for you X-Men in the back row. We see you.).

Quote #5

"They're going to sit him in a chair, they're going to tie him down in with straps, they're going to connect wires to his head, to his wrists, to his legs, and they're going to shoot electricity through the wires into his body until he's dead." (5.47)

This graphic description of the way that Jefferson's life will end is not fit for all audiences. That doesn't stop him from blurting it out to his elementary students, terrifying them with the truth about what their fate could be if they don't make something of themselves.

Quote #6

"Just a old hog they fattening up to kill for Christmas." (11.55)

Jefferson has identified himself with the hog that the defender compared him to during the trial. In the same way that you don't get too attached to a hog you're going to kill and eat, Jefferson won't let himself feel anything because it will hurt to lose himself in the end.