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Coming of Age
When Jefferson, one of the characters in A Lesson Before Dying, is sentenced to death by electrocution he has to grow up fast before he faces his fate. He starts off as a 21-year-old, but in his six-month journey from free young man to executed prisoner he evolves. The key relationship in the novel, between the narrator, Grant, and Jefferson, revolves around Grant trying to help Jefferson become a man so he can die proud. But this isn't just a one-sided relationship: Grant learns a lot too.
Jefferson's transformation is only superficial; he hasn't really had the experience necessary to become an adult.
Jefferson's transformation depends upon other people expecting better of him; without society's help he would never grow up.
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