A Lesson Before Dying Lesson Plan

How do the different deputies treat Jefferson and Grant in the jail house? Why is or isn't this significant?

Paul is the deputy who alone treats Grant and Jefferson as equal humans. He updates Grant on Jefferson's state, walks down the hallway chatting with Grant side by side, gives Grant looks to let him know he knows searching the food is not necessary, and at one point even introduces himself to Grant using his full name and shakes Grant's hand. However, he is the only one to treat Grant or Jefferson kindly. The other deputy Grant interacts with walked several paces ahead of the group as if they were not with him. He also took a bathroom break for five minutes...