When Atticus tells Jem that he has nothing in his life that has affected his reasoning, he is referring to the fact that Jem has not been in the real world, and had his judgement scarred by the general racism that is present. When Jem is arguing with Atticus about Juries and punishments, Atticus explains that if there were twelve young boys in the jury, judgments would be more fair. Then, after the line about how nothing has scarred his judgment, Atticus proceeds to say, "Those are twelve reasonable men is everyday life, Tom's jury, but you saw something come between them and reason ... there is something in out world that makes men lose there heads ... in our courts, when it;s a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins ... those are the facts of life."(295) What Atticus is trying to say is that those men have been around influences of racism for all their lives, some of them may have even known worse times for black people, and it has really gotten to them. In everyday life, they may not see a black man and think he is a bad person based on the color of his skin, but when forced to make a tough decision, their heads naturally turn to the fact that he is black, and not many of them can overcome that. They "loose their heads" and let "the white man win" just because that is how they have always lived their lives.
When Atticus says there will be an appeal, do you think they will stand more of a chance? Will the jury be able to break the barrier "between them and reason"? Or do you think they will lose again? If so, will the process of reaching a verdict take so long again?
If there is an appeal, the location and power of the court matters. If it is a high-power, Northern court, they will most likely rule innocent. If it is a Southern court, it is almost guaranteed that Atticus will lose.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Jem has not been exposed fully towards general racism, but the main reason is the way Jem has been brought up. Atticus taught Jem to respect everyone, and that everyone is their equal no matter what their status is. Atticus is right when saying that schoolboys would be more effective on a jury compared to the current one, because they are younger and are more honest.
Do you think Dolphus Raymond is friends with Atticus? What do you think Mayella's emotions are right now?
I agree with Jeffrey that if there is an appeal at the Northern court they will rule him innocent and if its in the Southern court he will be guilty, because they wouldn't change there mind after ruling Tom guilty one time. As Atticus says, "The Alabama court of law states a white man’s word always beats a black man’s". In addition, the Northern Court will be a new atmosphere and Atticus can have more confidence to attack strong. I do think that Dolphus Raymond is friends with Atticus because every since chapter 20 when he says to scout "your pa’s not a run-of-the-mill man, it’ll take a few years for that to sink in" as if he has respect for Atticus and known him for a while.
ReplyDeleteIf they do lose the appeal what do think the punishment for Tom will be? If they win how will the town react on the colored people? will it change or just change some of the people's thoughts
If Tom Robinson wins the appeal, which I believe he will, it will mean a very drastic change in environment for everyone in Maycomb. People may begin to realize that blacks should be treated equally as they are in the North. More strikes against racism and discrimination like Atticus's defense of Tom in the court of law would bring Maycomb county a step closer to equality. As Miss Maudie said, "We're making a step--it's a baby-step, but it's a step," (246) Tom Robinson's victory in a higher court would result in additional "baby-steps," maybe even a full step.
ReplyDeleteHow do you think Bob Ewell will react if Tom Robinson wins the appeal? How will the gang that came to the jail respond? Do you think Atticus will win the appeal?
Contrary to what Gary said, I do not believe that Tom Robinson will win the appeal. Also, even if he did I do not think that Maycomb will change. The "Maycomb way" is a way of life that is clearly cemented into their society. Similarly to Tim Johnson and the case it self, even if Tom won the appeal everyone would just curse the higher court and shut it out as if it wasn't true, as if it hadn't happened. However, if Tom Robinson won the appeal, Bob Ewell would likely go ballistic and attempt to follow up with his threat of killing Atticus.
DeleteDo you think that Tom Robinson will be killed? If so, do you think it would be by the government? or by his own means?
I totally agree with Jeffery on everything.
ReplyDeleteI think that Mayella must be feeling some guilt right now. Harper Lee reveals many clues that makes it clear that Tom Robinson is innocent, and Mayella is the only one beside Tom Robinson who knows the whole truth. Mayella, in Tom Robinson's testimony, kissed him first, which shows that she does have feelings towards him. It takes a lot of courage and motive for a white girls to kiss a black man at this time period, especially the Ewells. This suggest that she is feeling guilty because she knows what she did was wrong.