Grant can be a "hero" only through his interaction with Jefferson.
Explanation: Grant realizes that he had falsely regarded self-worth to things such as education and that there was much more to a human than his original understanding and he recognizes this when he says “My eyes were closed before this moment, Jefferson. My eyes have been closed all my life.” (Gaines, 2002, p. 225”). Jefferson taught him that redemption belongs to everyone and that his duty to his community is worth much more than he initially thought it did.
Grant can be weak, cynical, and negative, but by just helping Jefferson and made some change, however small, is a huge thing. Grant was taught that his work and that he himself had some good attributes. Grant's commitment to his community, even if it's something that drives him crazy, is a huge role Jefferson plays in, and it shows change and commitment in his character afterwords.
