Primary Sources: People - The American South: Gaines, Ernest J.

This segment from the March 23, 1986, episode of the series “Folks” features Sonya Masingale’s interview with Ernest Gaines, an author and writer-in-residence at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette. He discusses: his many inspirations for “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman”; his reaction to the television adaptation of his novel; his writing process; his decision to become a writer; and his influences. Host: Rob Hinton

This segment from the January 25, 2013, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features the first part of Charlie Whinham’s interview with author Ernest Gaines at his home in Oscar, Louisiana, following his 80th birthday. Gaines is the author of several novels, including “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and “A Lesson Before Dying.” He discusses his feelings on turning 80, the story he is currently writing, and his thoughts on watching President Barack Obama’s inauguration. Hosts: Charlie Whinham and Shauna Sanford

This segment from the February 1, 2013, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features the second part of Charlie Whinham’s interview with author Ernest Gaines at his home in Oscar, Louisiana, following his 80th birthday. Gaines is the author of several novels, including “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and “A Lesson Before Dying.” He discusses moving to California at age 15 in order to receive an education, how he writes his novels, the future of the written word, and his plans for his final resting place. Hosts: Charlie Whinham and Shauna Sanford

This segment from the February 27, 2009, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Beth Courtney’s interview with author Ernest Gaines. His book “A Lesson Before Dying” was chosen for the “One Book, One Community” program in East Baton Rouge Parish. Gaines discusses: what inspired him to become a writer; the success of “A Lesson Before Dying” after Oprah Winfrey choose it for her book club; the HBO movie adaptation of “A Lesson Before Dying”; setting his novels in a fictionalized version of his native Pointe Coupee Parish; and never being able to write about anything but Louisiana, even though he has spent most of his life in California. Hosts: Charlie Whinham and Shauna Sanford

"This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from December 24, 1982, features an interview with Ernest J. Gaines conducted by Gus Weill. Gaines is the author of several novels, including “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and “A Lesson Before Dying.” He discusses: growing up on River Lake Plantation in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, where he worked in the fields and cared for his siblings and crippled aunt; segregation as a way of life for African Americans in the 1940s; putting on plays; moving to Vallejo, California, and experiencing integration; the importance of the library in allowing him to explore a wide range of authors; his recognition of the lack of novels by black writers at the library; his experience in the military; his need to tell stories; the origins and reception of “The Autobiography of Jane Miss Pittman”; his view of the “Roots” miniseries; slavery as a horrible experience; collaborating with Valerian Smith on a musical; serving as a “writer-in-residence” and teacher at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette; and his writing habits."

From Ernest J. Gaines, author of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, comes a deceptively simple yet emotionally complex tale of a young boy’s discovery of what it’s like to be black in Louisiana during the 1940s.
James, the boy in question, has a raging toothache that necessitates a trip to the dentist. His mother (played by Emmy-winner Olivia Cole), accompanies James to town on an eye-opening odyssey where the boy gains valuable insights into poverty, racism, and his own sense of pride.

A 1993 documentary profiling the life and career of award-winning author Ernest Gaines, whose work is inspired by his childhood experiences of growing up in The Quarters of River Lake Plantation in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, during segregation. In this documentary, Gaines shares memories of the people of The Quarters who inspired his writing and the impact of moving to San Francisco as a teenager on his life and career. It includes interviews with his family and childhood friends, as well as comments from other writers and scholars discussing his work. Passages from several of his novels are also featured, including The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1971), In My Father’s House (1978), and A Gathering of Old Men (1983). Narrator: Ed Shannon

"The Ernest J. Gaines Center actively works with educators internationally to explore the Dr. Gaines's novels and their themes. With permissions for the educators, this site will house projects created by students specifically on the work of Ernest J. Gaines and topics related to his work.
These materials are available for ACADEMIC USE ONLY."

Louisiana writer Ernest Gaines is interviewed. For Gaines, home is the place where one is torn between the difficulty of leaving and the terror of staying.