1. LITERARY ELEMENTS The purpose of literary elements to enhance the author’s message. While looking at the following elements, think about how each of them play a role in making the novel(s) better and enhance their themes. Theme: The main message or underlying idea of a literary work. It may be stated or unstated. What belief is the author trying to convey through their writing. List two themes for each of the summer reading novels.

2. DIALOGUE: GRANT SPEAKING TO TANTE LOU, HIS AUNT, AND COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING TO VISIT JEFFERSON. “’EVERYTHING YOU SENT ME TO SCHOOL FOR, YOU’RE STRIPPING ME OF IT,’ I TOLD MY AUNT’…THE HUMILIATION I HAD TO GO THROUGH, GOING INTO THAT MAN’S KITCHEN. THE HOURS I HAD TO WAIT’” (GAINES 79).  A Lesson Before Dying  Imagery: How the author doesn’t just tell us about segregation in the South, he shows us. We have a visualize of the images of Grant’s life. “Bayonne was a small town of about six thousand. Approximately three thousand five hundred whites, approximately two thousand five hundred colored….There was a Catholic church uptown for whites; a Catholic church back of town for colored. There was a white movie theater uptown; a colored movie theater back of town. There were two elementary schools uptown, one Catholic, one public, for whites; and the same back of town for colored” (Gaines 25).

3.  Repetition: The use of any element more than once. It’s mostly used to strengthen a point.  “He looked at [his aunt, Miss Emma], but he didn’t answer. And his eyes were just blank---blank, blank”(Gaines 121).  Symbolism: A person, place, or thing that represents an idea.  Irony: Contrary to what is believed or expected to happen.  Allusion: Referencing a known story or person, like the crucifixion of Jesus.  “And on Friday too. Always on Friday. Same time as He died, between twelve and three. But they can’t take this one’s life too soon after the recognition of His death, because it might upset the sensitive few. It can happen two weeks later, though, because even the sensitive few will have forgotten about their Savior’s death” (Gaines 158).  Jefferson symbolizes a Christ-like figure who is being executed for the sins of others. Jefferson’s death is symbolic because Grant states that Jefferson needs to stand up for his aunt like black men need to stand up for their women.  Irony is also present here because Grant is mentioning how people are “sensitive” about executions around lent and Easter, but that they’ll forget all about their religious beliefs two weeks later. Irony is alive and well in this passage because you’d expect religious people to be against killing an innocent man.  Take 5 minutes to write a reflection on how the literary techniques of irony and symbolism enhance the author’s message of recognizing injustices and taking responsibility.

4. Model of using allusion to explain how Gaines enhanced his message: Gaines uses the literary technique allusion to formulate a connection between Jesus Christ and Jefferson. He does this by alluding to the well-known biblical story of Jesus being crucified for crimes he did not commit, and he parallels it to Jefferson's impending execution for crimes of which he is innocent. Gaines develops the connection by drawing a comparison of when both men are executed: Friday afternoon between noon and 3 o’clock. By Gaines using this biblical allusion, he enhances the theme of recognizing injustices and taking responsibility because both men recognized the injustices against them, but ultimately had to stand up and face their fate responsibly. Gaines is aware that his audience knows Jefferson is innocent, but by comparing him to Jesus Christ, this well-known figure who was wrongfully executed, the reader is presented with a powerful allusion that helps to enhance the author’s theme of recognizing injustice and taking responsibility.