Using IntellectWhy does education exist? Education is an essential tool for improving humanity. It can be applied in infinite ways. However, education alone does not guarantee performance. Grant, the protagonist of the novel A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J Gaines, is unhappy with his life because his high school education is going to waste. When Jefferson is sentenced to death, Grant finds it absurd that the black community wants him to not only make Jefferson a man. As the story develops, their encounters prove to teach lessons not only to Jefferson, but also to Grant. In comparison, the arrogant Victor Frankenstein of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein has a prestigious education, but is unable to understand the importance of collaboration more than his Creation. Rather, Robert Walton serves as a balanced medium between education and the ability to interact with others to make it useful. Since any level of education is a stepping stone to intellect, the inclusion of emotional interaction enhances the intellect, making it useful to the individual and humanity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To begin with, Grant was unable to use his education to truly help others until he understood the need for compassion himself. For example, Grant hates teaching to the point of brutally explaining among his students, including Jefferson's cousin, how Jefferson is labeled a pig and sentenced to death without “[apologizing] for what [he] said, [or showing] anything. sympathy for his crying” (Gaines 40). This clearly characterizes Grant as a harsh teacher who has no compassion. Due to both his lack of passion in teaching and self-adulation of higher education, Grant cannot effectively teach anything to children because he feels that children cannot understand him and teaching is useless to them anyway. Therefore his intellect is useless. However, after several interactions with Jefferson, Grant becomes emotionally attached. Grant even lashes out at Reverend Ambrose to point out that “[Jefferson] needs that radio, and he wants it. He wants something of his own before he dies” (Gaines 182). The radio is the symbol of a beacon that mentally motivates Jefferson to live his life until he dies. This and the interactions with Jefferson show that Grant finally sees the need for compassion. Only after learning this is he able to make Jefferson “the strongest man in that crowded room” (Gaines 253). This hyperbole captures the essence of how amazing Jefferson's courage was seen by others. Hence, one can use education to help others only when motivated by a passion. Furthermore, Jefferson uses the lessons he learns from interactions with Grant to overcome his poor education and prove himself as a courageous man in the face of death. For example, when Grant explains to Jefferson how to debunk the myth, “he may not have understood, but something was touched, something deep inside him – because he was still crying” (Gaines 193). This paradox characterizes Jefferson as a person who, although uneducated, can perceive the emotions and meanings behind Grant's lecture. Grant's myth-busting lesson showed Jefferson the magnanimity of what he could accomplish by being a man and facing his death. The images of Jefferson continually crying show how affected Jefferson was, emphasizing the interaction between the two characters. Jefferson is able to use this wisdom to believe he gives himself pride and courage..