Characters
Grant Wiggins
Grant Wiggins, who grew up in the "quarters," returns from a California university to teach basic subjects at the plantation school. As the story's first-person narrator, Grant navigates a plot filled with both humor and bitterness. Although he is not entirely admirable, he struggles with personal and communal issues from a stance of perceived superiority. His journey is marked by tragic and comedic episodes, during which he maintains an ironic detachment that is neither naïve nor entirely dispassionate. His voice, often self-deprecating and contemptuous, hides a deeper skepticism and uncertainty. He reluctantly takes on the role of a secular priest to a convicted man, Jefferson.
Grant is a product of the Quarter's school but stands apart from the community due to his education and experiences in California. This background makes him an outsider, with perspectives that differ from those who have never left the Quarter. While the Black community respects him for his education, the White community views him with suspicion. Grant feels degraded when forced to conform to White societal expectations and dreams of escape. Yet, he becomes a student of the community, learning from both Reverend Ambrose and Jefferson about true belonging and the communal history. Jonathan Yardley notes in the Washington Post Book World that Grant is compelled to "admit his own complicity in the system in which Jefferson is a victim."
Throughout the novel, Grant's internal conflict is objectified through his interactions with Jefferson, the narrative's victim. In order to elevate Jefferson, Grant must overcome Jefferson's self-loathing, instilled by a society that devalues him. In doing so, Grant confronts and triumphs over his own internalized contempt. As Jefferson faces his execution with dignity, Grant's own spiritual growth is measured. Grant's journey is further influenced by his girlfriend Vivian and his aunt Tante Lou, both of whom serve as catalysts in his transformation.
Jefferson
Jefferson, reluctantly involved in a liquor store shoot-out that results in three deaths, is the narrative's tragic hero. As the sole survivor, he is unjustly accused of planning the robbery and murder. During his trial, Jefferson's defense attorney dehumanizes him by comparing him to a "hog," shocking Jefferson's godmother and others in the "quarters." Jefferson is sentenced to die by electrocution. His experience in jail is marked by a journey towards self-awareness, facilitated by Grant Wiggins, who encourages him to record his thoughts. Initially detached, Jefferson eventually articulates his humanity and emotions in his diary.
Despite his semi-illiteracy, Jefferson rises to heroic status by the story's end. With support from the community, he transcends the derogatory label placed on him by his attorney and becomes a symbol of the Black community's resilience. His diary evidences his newfound respect for himself, his love for his godmother Miss Emma, and his friendship with Paul. After Jefferson's execution, Grant leaves the diary at the school for the children to read, ensuring Jefferson's legacy as a community hero.
Through his interactions with Grant, Jefferson also teaches Grant that education extends beyond formal schooling. He embodies the conflict between Grant and Reverend Ambrose, particularly when Grant introduces a radio, a "sin box" according to the Reverend. Initially, Jefferson uses the loud radio to drown out others, but its eventual silence symbolizes Grant and Reverend Ambrose's reconciliation.
Aunt Lou
Aunt Lou, Grant's deeply religious aunt, plays a pivotal role in confronting a brutal character assault with grace and resilience. Modeled partly after the author's maternal aunt, Aunt Lou is a cornerstone of family life in the "quarters," along with Miss Emma Glenn. Her adaptability during Jefferson's ordeal highlights Grant's indecisiveness, and her imperfect role modeling underscores her...
(This entire section contains 1490 words.)
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steadfastness. She refuses to allow the community to see Jefferson as the unthinking "hog" he was labeled by the white lawyer, instead aspiring for him to face his execution with the dignity of a man.
Tante Lou's influence extends to maintaining the community's hope and faith. Her expectations for Grant underscore the importance of his education and the role he must play in helping others, emphasizing her belief in Grant's obligation to use his knowledge to benefit Jefferson and the wider community.
Miss Emma Glenn
Miss Emma Glenn, Jefferson's godmother, is the driving force behind Grant's involvement in Jefferson's life. She persuades Grant to impart his wisdom and humanity to Jefferson in a bid to refute the lawyer's dehumanization. Miss Emma moves through the narrative with a serene control that belies potential eruptions of emotion. Her insistence on visiting Jefferson in the day room, rather than his cell, underscores her respect for him and the community, as she brings food and seating to affirm his dignity.
Miss Emma, along with Tante Lou, represents the indomitable will of the community's women, who insist that Jefferson can become a man. Her efforts ensure that Jefferson becomes a concern for the entire community, highlighting the collective commitment to uplift one of their own. She requests that leftover food from jail visits be shared with other inmates, reaffirming the community's broader commitment.
Reverend Mose Ambrose
Reverend Mose Ambrose, the plantation church's pastor, serves his congregation with a deep dedication, despite his lack of formal education. His role extends beyond spiritual duties; he offers hope and encouragement to his people. Reverend Ambrose shares the privilege of visiting Jefferson with Grant Wiggins, and he invests significant effort in ensuring Jefferson's spiritual readiness for death.
Reverend Ambrose frequently engages with Grant about matters of faith, urging him to discuss God with Jefferson and to consider the implications of Jefferson's impending death for his soul. Accusations of selfishness and lack of education are directed at Grant, as he refuses to embrace the Reverend's belief in salvation and the afterlife. Despite their differences, Reverend Ambrose remains concerned for both Jefferson's and Grant's spiritual well-being.
Vivian Baptiste
Vivian Baptiste, Grant Wiggins's girlfriend, is a teacher caught in Bayonne due to the conditions of her divorce, which require her to remain in the area for the sake of her children. Vivian is a source of strength and stability for Grant, offering solace during his tumultuous relationship with Jefferson. Her love represents hope and a possibility of change for Grant, who begins to accept his role in the community when Vivian becomes pregnant with his child. Her own ties to the community, rooted in pride and dignity, complement those of Tante Lou's, further influencing Grant's transformation.
Paul Bonin
Paul Bonin, a young deputy sheriff, enters the narrative as a symbol of potential social change. Unlike many of his peers, Paul respects Grant, Jefferson, Miss Emma, and Tante Lou. He delivers messages with empathy and demonstrates a budding friendship with Grant, indicating that positive shifts in societal norms are possible. Paul witnesses Jefferson's execution and acknowledges Grant's efforts as a teacher, marking the beginning of a genuine friendship based on mutual respect, transcending racial boundaries.
Tante Lou
Tante Lou, Grant Wiggins's aunt, raised him with a strict adherence to faith and communal responsibility. As Miss Emma's best friend, she shares a history of service in the Pichot household. Her stern demeanor and devout beliefs guide Grant, whom she expects to fulfill his role in supporting Jefferson. Her insistence on education as a means of betterment underscores her expectations for Grant to contribute meaningfully to the community. Tante Lou's faith and commitment serve as a moral compass, compelling Grant to engage with Jefferson's challenge.
Sam Guidry
Sam Guidry, the sheriff, embodies the entrenched racial attitudes of the era, frequently trying to assert dominance over Grant Wiggins. His interactions with Grant often carry an air of condescension, revealing his belief in Jefferson's guilt and perceived stupidity. Guidry's presence at the jail is sporadic, but when there, he projects an intimidating, authoritarian figure. Despite this, the evolving dynamics around him hint at his awareness of the changing social landscape, although he remains resistant to these changes.
Henri Pichot
Henri Pichot, the plantation owner, holds significant sway in the community due to his social standing and relationship with the sheriff. Initially dismissive of Miss Emma's requests regarding Jefferson, Pichot gradually shows signs of empathy and support. His interactions with Miss Emma, Tante Lou, and Grant highlight the complex social dynamics and the need for negotiation within the existing racial hierarchy. Pichot's eventual cooperation indicates subtle shifts in his perspective, influenced by the relentless determination of the women.
Minor Characters
Several minor characters enrich the narrative with their distinct personalities and contributions to the broader story. Joe and Thelma Claiborne run the Rainbow Club, a sanctuary for Grant and Vivian. Irene Cole, Grant's student teacher, represents the hope of future generations through her dedication to the schoolchildren. Alcee Grope, the storeowner killed in the shoot-out, and the two boys, Bear and Brother, who die alongside him, set the story's events into motion. Inez Lane, the household cook, and Louis Rougon, Pichot's banker cohort, further depict the community's social fabric. Together, these characters reinforce the novel's thematic exploration of racial tensions, community dynamics, and the potential for change.
