Previous
Vivian Baptiste
A white deputy sheriff at the jail where Jefferson is held, and the only guard who treats Jefferson and Grant with respect. Paul shows many signs that he wants Grant to succeed in inspiring Jefferson to be brave. He is present when Jefferson is executed at the end of the novel, and he tells Grant that Jefferson was the bravest man in the room. He also shakes Grant hand. (In line with the Christian symbolism of the book, Paul’s name may allude to St. Paul, the loyal servant of Jesus Christ who spread the message of Christianity after Christ’s death. Paul, too, spreads the word of Jefferson’s bravery in death at the end of the novel.)
Deputy Paul Bonin Quotes in A Lesson Before Dying
The A Lesson Before Dying quotes below are all either spoken by Deputy Paul Bonin or refer to Deputy Paul Bonin. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 30
Quotes
Jefferson continued to look at Paul, a long, deep look, and the deputy felt that there was something else he wanted to say. Murphy and the other deputy were still waiting. “Well,” Paul said, and started to walk away. “Paul?” Jefferson said quietly. And his eyes were speaking, even more than his mouth. The deputy looked back at him. Murphy and Claude did too. “You go’n be there, Paul?” Jefferson asked, his eyes asked. Paul nodded. “Yes, Jefferson. I’ll be there.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 31
Quotes
“I don’t know what you’re going to say when you go back in there. But tell them he was the bravest man in that room today. I’m a witness, Grant Wiggins. Tell them so.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire A Lesson Before Dying LitChart as a printable PDF.
Deputy Paul Bonin Quotes in A Lesson Before Dying
The A Lesson Before Dying quotes below are all either spoken by Deputy Paul Bonin or refer to Deputy Paul Bonin. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 30
Quotes
Jefferson continued to look at Paul, a long, deep look, and the deputy felt that there was something else he wanted to say. Murphy and the other deputy were still waiting. “Well,” Paul said, and started to walk away. “Paul?” Jefferson said quietly. And his eyes were speaking, even more than his mouth. The deputy looked back at him. Murphy and Claude did too. “You go’n be there, Paul?” Jefferson asked, his eyes asked. Paul nodded. “Yes, Jefferson. I’ll be there.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 31
Quotes
“I don’t know what you’re going to say when you go back in there. But tell them he was the bravest man in that room today. I’m a witness, Grant Wiggins. Tell them so.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
