Comparing Dignity in A Lesson Before Dying, Jane Pittman,...

Dignity in Southern Society in A Lesson Before Dying, Autobiography of Jane Pittman, and Of Love and Dust The ante-bellum Southern social system put blacks in a low economic and social class and limited their pursuit of happiness. The aristocracy firmly held blacks in emotional and spiritual slavery. Cajuns, Creoles and poor whites maintained a low status in society, which frustrated them because they felt they should be superior to blacks and equal to whites. Racism was a base of southern society and a hope to improve life and gain respect. Ernest J. Gaines grew up in Southern Louisiana and his aunt Augusteen Jefferson taught him the art of living with dignity (Current 201). In The Autobiography of Miss†¦show more content†¦At the end of the Civil War, Ticey (Jane), an eleven year-old slave, is introduced to personal identity by Corporal Brown, a Yankee soldier who passes through her plantation: Ticey is a slave name... he says to her and temporarily renames her Miss Jane Brown (Pittman 8). Critic Valerie Babb concludes that the soldiers altering a label of slavery reveals a new world of control to her...for the first time in her life Jane has the option of deciding whether or not she will retain it (82). Jane quickly learns that her newly found identity threatens the master and mistress, and she is beaten for demanding to be called Miss, a title of respect. She shows them she is an individual with dignity, rather than an inferior being and takes the control that they assumed over her. The soldier direct s Janes strong character and convictions which results in her insubordination toward white authority. She continues through her life looking for the One, a black leader to free her people from the bondage to whites. Where Jane decides to live in rebellion, her husband Joe chooses a different method to escape bondage. After the slaves were emancipated, many plantation owners took advantage of the naive freedmen by contracting them as underpaid field laborers. Joe Pittman desperately tries to avoid the economic entrapment of field labor that isShow MoreRelatedLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pagesodd to call something piece of advice eleven or thing to do seven. Advice for Logical Reasoners All of us use these principles every day, so this discussion is just a reminder of what you already know. One principle is to ask for reasons before accepting a conclusion, unless you already have good enough reasons. You applied this principle when you asked Juanita why she thought it best to leave. Similarly, if you expect people to accept your own conclusion, then its your responsibility