Christopher Booker is a scholar who wrote that every story falls into one of seven basic plot structures: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, the Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, and Rebirth. Shmoop explores which of these structures fits this story like Cinderella’s slipper.
Plot Type : Overcoming the Monster
Anticipation Stage and "Call"
Okay, fine, there's no gooey, slimy monster in A Lesson Before Dying. However, there is an ugly shadow looming over the land. It's a monster called racism, and it is threatening the whole society. When the defense attorney in Jefferson's lawyer compares him to a senseless hog, that's an example of the monster at work. Miss Emma and Tante Lou call on Grant to confront the monster. They want Grant to prove to Jefferson that Jefferson is a man, not a hog.
Dream Stage
Grant doesn't take his job too seriously. In fact, he's pretty irritated by the whole teaching thing and would rather just go hang out with his girlfriend, Vivian, at the Rainbow Club. He accompanies Miss Emma to visit Jefferson, but doesn't really participate in the visits.
Frustration Stage
When Grant finally does meet up with Jefferson on his own he sees just how powerful the infection of racism is. Jefferson calls himself a hog and even acts like one. It looks impossible that Grant will ever be able to help him grow into a man before his execution.
Nightmare Stage
Jefferson goes from bad to worse. He calls himself a hog in front of his godmother, which almost breaks her heart. He throws the food that Grant brings him, and looks at everyone with blank hatred all of the time.
The Thrilling Escape from Death, and Death of the Monster
Just when Jefferson's execution date is set, something changes in him. He becomes human—he feels compassion, gratitude, and nostalgia. He starts writing his thoughts in a notebook that Grant brings him and is connected to the outside world with a radio. At his execution he stands strong and tells the Reverend to give word to his godmother that he died a man. While racism hasn't been overthrown, its hold over Jefferson has been vanquished.