A Guide to the Ernest J. Gaines Center

Background information:

There are numerous websites online that have study questions and information on the novel.

Questions to consider:

• What is Ned trying to accomplish with his words to the children and with his school building? What is his definition of a "black American"? How would that "black American" be looked upon today?
• In a speech, Gaines stated that Miss Jane "did not fight war, make laws, marry a great politician or statesman or writer or doctor," but we should still care about her. Why should we care about Miss Jane's story?
• Albert Cluveau plays an important role in the novel. How does his relationship with Miss Jane, and the other people in the novel, affect the way that you view the murder of Ned? Does it change your view of him in any way?
• Why did Jane and Ned move on from the river house full of children but stay at the plantation rather than head north? Why did Jane give up her dream of living free in the North?
• What is the role of Jimmy in the community? Why does the community view him as a "cultural messiah"? Why couldn't Miss Jane have been the community's messiah?
• Miss Jane receives her name at the beginning of the novel. What role does naming playing within the novel?

Possible activities:

• Have students research the unique relationships between African Americans, whites, Cajuns, and Creoles in Louisiana. How does the information they discovered illuminate the reading of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman?
• Gaines originally intended for the novel to be told from multiple points of view. In fact, the first draft became The Short Biography of Miss Jane Pittman. Have students explore the differences between autobiography and biography then discuss how the novel would have been different or similar to a biography instead of an autobiography.
• Have students research some of the important historical events and people in the novel (Reconstruction. Huey P. Long, the 1827 flood, Jackie Robinson, etc.) then have them discuss how Miss Jane's views concerning these events and people add to our understanding of them.
• Have students interview someone about a historical event or person. Then, have students write a biography recounting that person's thoughts and feelings about the event or person.
• Have students watch the film version of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman then discuss the differences or similarities between the novel and the film. Have them explain how the differences change, in any way, the story.
• Have students create a timeline of the events that occur in Miss Jane's life. This would include both her personal events and the historical events described in the novel.