Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Gardner
English 10 H
15 October 2016
Boswell, Marshall, and Carl Rollyson, eds. "Gaines, Ernest J." Encyclopedia of American
Literature: The Contemporary World, 1946 to the Present, Revised Edition, vol. 4.
Marshall Boswells biography of Ernest Gaines covers key aspects of Gainess life and
reveals the personal connections behind his novels. Boswell focuses on Gainess personal
experiences with racism and how these struggles have shaped his work. In telling of
Gainess life, Boswells overall theme of how hardship can lead to success frames the main
Boswell offers insightful information for those looking for factual material on Ernest
Gaines, his experiences, or racism. Below his original article, Boswell also has additional
students. This information is especially useful to those reading Gainess novels. The data
provided connects Gainess experiences to several of his works. The clarity and wide range
of information contained in this article informs readers of the deep thought and experience
Anne Gray Brown, an english professor at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University,
writes this text on the dehumanization of Jefferson throughout A Lesson Before Dying. Her
criticism focuses highly on the twenty ninth chapter of the novel, the chapter that changed
perspectives from Grant to Jefferson. Brown notes that through writing in his journal,
Jefferson is able to regain some of his independence and humanity. She writes, Written in
the dialect of the 1940s, southern Louisiana region, Jefferson's Diary shows that while
language can be used to construct reality, it can also be used to deconstruct and redefine it.
Brown targets the language used by Jefferson in his journal and what the complexity it adds
to the storyline.
This article offers rooted, analytical criticism on A Lesson Before Dying and its many
compound characters. Because of its cohesion and strategic format, this article is accessible
to several audiences, including those who are interested in the thought behind Jeffersons
character, or those wanting to know more about the effects of language. Browns overall
tone and execution of this topic made it exceedingly informative, educating many on the
Gillespie, Carmen. "Congress of Racial Equality and Alice Walker." Critical Companion to Alice
Walker: A Literary Reference to Her Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Facts On
studies, offers insightful information on Jim Crow laws. She tells of an organization called CORE
that fought for the end of segregation in the southern United States. Through use of an academic
tone, Gillespie notes the copious struggles the organization faced, and the crucial achievements
they made.
The clarity with which Gillespie writes makes her article useful to those researching topics on
racism or the effects of segregation. Her use of intellectual, acute diction allows her writing to be
specific and precise. Gillespies use of details gives readers insight and understanding of what
segregated life was like for Jefferson and Grant in A Lesson Before Dying. Overall, by providing
this information, Gillespie is helping countless people understand the mental, physical, and
Guzzio, Tracie Church. "Gaines, Ernest." In Samuels, Wilfred D., ed. Encylopedia of
www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&WID=103186&SID=5&iPin=EAFL146&Sin
gleRecord=True.
This article by Tracie Church Guzzio, an educator of African American Literature at Plattsburgh
State University, illuminates Ernest J. Gainess many complex personal developments. Through
use of an academic tone, Guzzio peels back the layers of Gainess past and gives light to his
heartening history. Guzzio reveals Gainess humble beginnings, showcases his struggles, and
provides a wide range of information, from the complications of finding a voice, to the struggles
of being a successful author. Guzzio tells of Gainess progress both as an author and as a person.
She tells of the complications and experiences that lead to the creation of many of Gaines's most
complex novels. Guzzio maintains an academic, analytical tone while staying on the topic of
Gainess life, making this article accessible to many audiences -- those interested in Earnest
Kaveny, Cathleen. "Justice or vengeance: is the death penalty cruel & unusual?" Commonweal, vol. 135,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=LitRC&sw=w&u=sant95918&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA176167277&
In her article, Cathleen Kaveny, a professor at Boston College, addresses the death penalty and its
relation to the constitution. She writes of accusations against the penalty, stating it was cruel and
unusual punishment. Kaveny emphasizes the use of the conjunction and used in that phrase,
stating that to be unconstitutional, a punishment must be both cruel and unusual. She explores the
many sides of the disputed topic, discussing everything from the constitution to the current
Kaveny expresses her opinions and thoughts on the death penalty through a collected and
academic tone, making this article very useful when collecting information on this topic. This
information closely relates to a large theme and conflict in A Lesson Before Dying. Many
audiences can benefit from the data and material presented in Kaveny work, especially those
looking into the many opinions revolving around the arguable topic. Overall, Kavenys article
proves to provide an accurate and sophisticated look into the controversial topic of the death
penalty.
Piacentino, Ed. The Common Humanity That Is in Us All: Toward Racial Reconciliation in Gaines's A
Piacentinos powerful article highlights the rare but important unity between the races in Ernest J.
Gaines novels. Piacentinos interpretation on several examples from Gaines novels reveal deep
truths and compelling underlying tones. Piacentino touches on a variety of purposeful topics,
ranging from essential characters to relevant symbolism, all while remaining focused on Gaines
Piacentino uses concrete diction to clearly inform readers on the varying displays
of racial unity in a time where such actions were unaccepted. For example: in A Lesson Before
Dying, the unlikely relationship between Grant and deputy Paul Bonin shows a sliver of unity
significance of these acts in Gaines's novels. The intillectual yet simple layout of Piacentinos
article makes it useful to those interested in racial divides or to a curious student. Overall, the
insightful theme, execution, and examples in this article make it interesting, impactful and