A Lesson Before Dying Chapters 16 & 17

Chapter 16 - Quotation 1 - Page 123 - Paragraph 4
"What I done done," she cried, "to make my Master hate me so?"
"The Lord don't hate you, Sister Emma," Reverend Ambrose said, touching her on the arm. "The Lord is with you this moment. He is only testing you."
Miss Emma looked up at me. The tears were still rolling down her face.
"Go back," she said.
"Why, Miss Emma?"
" 'Cause somebody go'n do something for me 'fore I die."
"Why me?"
" 'Cause you the teacher," my aunt said.

Question 1 - Does the quotation relate to a theme? If so, which theme and how does it relate?
This quote relates to the them of obligation and responsibility. Miss Emma feels responsible for Jefferson's outcome in life even though he made his own decisions. She feels responsible for him because she raised him, so she feels like his bad decisions are because of her. It is ironic because she feels like God is punishing her, but Jefferson is the one who is on death row about to be electrocuted. Grant's aunt feels like he is obligated to visit Jefferson simply because he is a teacher and she feels as if Grant can fix Jefferson.

Question 2 - Does the quotation indicate a conflict? If so, what conflict?
This quote indicates a conflict between Miss Emma and her faith. She feels like God is punishing her. She is questioning God and wonders what could she had done so bad that he would cause her so much pain. Grant's aunt comfort does not seem to help and she feels like God has to hate her to punish her. Tante Lou does not want to see her friend in pain and the Reverend tries to convince her that God is only testing her. Sometimes tests from God can shake people's faith in God.

Chapter 17 - Quotation 2 - Page 134 - Paragraph 7
"He ain't here for no picnic," Clark said. "He killed Mr. Gropé. Let him stay right there in that last cell. Till that last day."

Question 1 - Does the quotation relate to a theme? If so, which theme and how does it relate?
This quote relates to the theme of imprisonment. The sheriff wants Jefferson to feel like a prisoner where ever he is at. If he is not in a cell he has to wear chains. It seems as though they think Grant deserves to think he is less of a person and to be uncomfortable and he deserves to be in a cell for the crime they believe he committed.

Question 2 - To what contemporary issue(s) do(es) the quotation connect?
This quote connects to the issue of containment. Jefferson was considered guilty even before the trial. The white community wants Jefferson to feel like he is a hog. They want to keep him to be contained like an animal. Some white people in those times did not want black people to feel superior, smart, or anything. Keeping blacks contained and attacking their mindset is a way whites affected blacks. Attacking Jefferson's mind and the way he sees himself is a way they contained Jefferson.