Sample Journal Entry
A LESSON BEFORE DYING
April 10, 2002

Chapter I:
I think that this chapter was offensive, racist, and violent. I also think Mr. Grope did the only thing he was able to do. I know what he did was wrong, but he did not have another choice. I believe that violence is a bad thing but sometimes it is necessary to use it like Mr. Grope did, just to protect you from someone else. I also believe that racism was the major problem in this chapter. If the people who judged Jefferson had not been racist, Jefferson might not have gone to the electric chair.

Chapter II:
I think that Grant did not want to see Miss Emma because he felt that he could not do anything about Jefferson. He knew Miss Emma would ask him to do something about it. He also knew whatever Miss Emma was going to ask him, he would not want to do it but he did not have a choice. He saw Miss Emma's sadness, his Aunt's anger, and he felt that he must do what was being asked of him.

Chapter III:
I think that Miss Emma was sure about herself when she asked Mr. Pichot to let the teacher see Jefferson, because she knew very well that he was going to do it. Mr. Pichot wanted to show them that he was the one with the power, and that the decision was his not hers. Grant did not want to take part in this situation. I think that he just wanted to stay out of this because he did not want Mr. Pichot as an enemy.

Chapter IV:
I think that sometimes people drink to forget about their problems, and Grant was one of those people. I think he thought everybody understood him. I also think he thought that drinking, and getting away from situations was the solution to his problems. But when he talked to Vivian he felt even worst. He thought that she was one of those people who understood him. He did not realize that the one who was wrong was him. He did not realize that the solution to his problem was to help somebody else.

Chapter V:
I think that this chapter showed Grant realizing how racist people could be. He thought that he could not believe in the authorities because they were the most racist. He did not trust any white men. I also think that he had a bad day because he could not stop thinking what he could do to make Jefferson know that he wasn't a hog, but a man.