Reverend Mose Ambrose

Quote #1:

“He was not educated, hadn’t gone to a theological school; he had heard the voice and started preaching. He was a simple, devoted believer. He christened babies, baptized youths, visited those who were ill, counseled those who had trouble, preached and buried the dead” (Gaines 100).

My Visual

The Community

• The final group of people that Reverend Ambrose impacts is the community as a whole. This is because so many of the women living in the quarter put a great amount of faith in him as they hope he, along with Grant, will break the cycle of disappointment.

The Role of Reverend Mose Ambrose

Quote #2:

"...They sent you to school to relieve pain, to relieve hurt - and if you have to lie to do it, then you lie..." (Gaines 218)

Quote #1

Grant Wiggins

“He asked God to go with all those here tonight who did not know Him in the pardon of their sins and thought they did not need Him. No matter how educated a man was, he, too, was locked in a cold, dark cell of ignorance if he did not know God in the pardon of his sins.” (Gaines 146)

• The first character that Reverend Ambrose strongly impacts is the main character, Grant Wiggins.
• Grant had lost all of his faith and religious beliefs after attending university outside of Lousiana.
• This greatly offended his aunt and made him a target for the Reverend’s antagonizing lectures.

Quote #2

“Yes, Jefferson, I believe it…..I think it’s God that makes people care for people, Jefferson. I think it’s God makes children play and people sing. I believe it’s God that brings loved ones together. I believe it’s God that makes trees bud and food grow out of the Earth” (Gaines 223).

Quote #3:

Quote #3: “But who was with him? Who is with you, Jefferson? Is He with you, Jefferson? He is with Reverend Ambrose, because Reverend Ambrose believes. Do you believe, Jefferson? Have I done anything to make you not believe? If I have, please forgive me for being a fool. For at this moment, what else is there?” (Gaines 249)

Introduction

Quote #3:

Throughout the novel, “A Lesson Before Dying”, the character of Reverend Mose Ambrose positively impacted Grant, Jefferson, and the community by forcefully imposing his religious beliefs and teachings on them.

“Reverend Ambrose is there as the judge sentences Jefferson to death, is there in his prison cell at Miss Emma’s request, and is there at the electric chair. His devotion to Miss Emma mirrors personalism`s emphasis on community and demonstrates one of the central aims of the Church— to serve the needs of a community”- Brooke Light

Jefferson

• Jefferson is the second character that Reverend Ambrose influences however, he does not affect Jefferson by using the message of God; he instead acts as a supportive presence for him.

• The Reverend believes that the most important thing that Jefferson needs before he dies is spiritual salvation however, this strongly conflicts with Grant’s view on what Jefferson primarily needs which is reaffirmation of his humanity.

Quote #1

Quote #2

“…the minister felt I was controlling Jefferson’s life, and that him the minister, thought that since Jefferson only had a short time left to live, it should be he in control, and not I” (Gaines 196).

“Tell him to fall down on his knees ‘fore he walk to that chair. Tell him to fall down on his knees ‘fore her. You the only he’ll listen to. He won’t listen to me” (Gaines 216).

Quote #3:

“Although Reverend Ambrose is ultimately impotent and unable to change the political and social situation of his slice of the pre-Civil Rights South, he still goes with the young man to the electric chair, solidifying his devotion to his community and embodiment of personalist theology.” - Brooke Light

Conclusion:

In conclusion, without Reverend Mose Ambrose Grant, Jefferson and the community would all be living very different lives; some full of mourning and pain and others full of bitterness and regret.