“When I came back from the University, I told her that I didn’t believe anymore and I didn’t want her forcing it on me.” (page 97) What is Grant talking about here and why is believing so important?

Grant is talking about believing in God and church here. Believing is important as Grant's aunt, Aunt Lou was a pious believer.

Explanation:

'A Lesson Before Dying' is a fictional novel written by Ernest J. Gaines. The novel is about a black man named Jefferson, convicted of a murder while he witnessed it.

Grant is the central character of the novel. Grant is an elementary teacher in the school, where he once was a student himself. Grant is in his twenties and does not go to church. All through the novel we see Grant having conflict with Catholic thoughts.

In Chapter 13, on Sunday morning, when Aunt Lou was going to church, Grant goes to flashback to the day he returned from University, back to his hometown. That day Grant told his Aunt that he no longer believes in God and church. It is in this chapter, that the readers get to know that Grant does not believe in Heaven, church, and even reverend.

Believing is important as Grant's aunt is a pious believer. Much of black people were believers in his community. Bu for Grant, Christianity meant to agree with segregation and what whites say about blacks.