Wednesday, October 17, 2012
What is ironic about the lesson Miss Gates is teaching the children?
Miss Gates is ironically teaching the children in her class that Hitler is a bad man for persecuting Jews, "Over here we don't believe in persecuting anybody."(329), said Miss Gates, but earlier she clearly stated to her friend that she did not approve of equal rights for black people. Miss gates even refers to Jews' constant persecution as "one of the most terrible stories in history." Despite Miss Gates telling her children about equal rights, Scout heard her making racist remarks while walking out of the court after Tom Robinson's case. Scout had overheard Miss Gates talking to Stephanie Crawford and telling her that blacks "were gettin' way above themselves," and declared that "it's time somebody taught 'em a lesson." (331).
Miss Gates has clearly stated her disapproval of blacks trying to achieve equal rights and fair treatment within Maycomb. It is ironic for her to strongly defend Jewish people and support them during persecution, while, at the same time, she is one of the people persecuting black people within her town. This shows that Miss Gates lacks character, and even though she may teach her students to restrain themselves from being racist because that's what the school requires her to do, she is a racist individual. As a teacher, she should know the importance of leading by example and embrace what she is teaching.
Do you think that Miss Gates is a bad person? Why do you think Miss Gates would strongly hate Hitler and be racist towards blacks? Why was Jem so furious with Scout after hearing about what she heard at the courthouse? Do you think racist town members are fueling Bob's desire to get revenge? Do you think Bob will get revenge on people involved in the case accusing Tom Robinson?
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First of all, being Jewish is a religion while being black is a race. Maybe Miss Gates is horrified by Jewish people being persecuted becuase they are (or were, back then) mainly white. It isn't necessarily her fault for being racist- most people in Maycomb are. What is important is that Scout realizes Miss Gates mistake and understands it.
ReplyDeleteIn these chapters, and throughout most of the book, Harper Lee is using Maycomb almost as it's very own character. It has been affecting Scout in all different ways. It showed her racism, sexism, and many other things she needs to choose or throw away as she enters adolescence that defines who she is. By putting Miss Gates in the book, what is Harper Lee trying to teach you? What is Maycomb trying to teach Scout?
The question Scout asked Jem and Atticus was really fascinating. She wonders why it is okay to hate Hitler if all hating is wrong. It made me re-examine my own views. Of course I hate Hitler, strongly. But is it right to hate someone, for any reason? Scout certainly didn't think so. What do you think about this?
To answer your second question Will, I believe that Miss Gates thinks that Hitler hating Jewish people and being racist towards blacks are two different things. I think that Miss Gates thinks of Jews and blacks differently, because, as Cecil Jacobs put it, "They're (Jews) white, ain't they?" (281). Miss Gates can't see the similarities in these two events. She can't understand someone persecuting a white person, but someone persecuting a black person is okay in her mind. This is not because she is a bad person, it is just because of the surroundings in which she grew up in.
ReplyDeleteOne question I have is; what will happen on the trip from the Finch house to the Halloween pageant?
I think Harper Lee put Miss Gates in the book because she is a perfect example of people from Maycomb. She says that being prejudice to a group of people is bad, thinking she knows what is right and wrong, but actually she is prejudice herself just like almost all of Maycomb. To answer Alex's question about Jem and Scout walking to the pageant, I think that this walk will answer the questions about Boo Radley and Jem breaking his arm. I am not sure how it is going to happen though.
ReplyDeleteIn what way will Harper Lee show/tell the climaxes of the story?
Let me briefly talk about the main topic of the post. The irony that Harper Lee is using throughout the last four chapters is important. In a way, it represents the ambiguity of the case when in Maycomb's POV. Maycomb knows the basics of the case, but not the details that the reader sees. The reader sees the irony, yet Scout doesn't see it fully. Is there something coming up that blindsides Scout and Jem? I might add that Harper Lee is dancing around the climax now. We can see the dewberry tarts, but we don't have the steak and potatoes yet.
ReplyDeleteAs we reach the climax of the book, we know the end and start of the falling action: Jem breaking his arm. However, what we don't know is how. There are obviously some points that Harper Lee needs to connect. Bob Ewell's serious "pranks" or almost-crimes, take your pick. What do they escalate into? What about Boo Radley? Where does he come in?
Here's my very foggy guess: Bob Ewell and the Old Sarum bunch are still angry, and plan to harm Atticus. As Scout and Jem return from the pageant, they are threatening Atticus. The kids try and help, yet they are hurt and Jem breaks his arm in the conflict. However, Boo Radley saves them by stopping the bunch and saving Jem, Scout, and Atticus.
I think that Miss Gates is more of a product of her Maycomb environment than she is a bad person. Similar to the ladies talking about the Mrunas and how terrible the situation was, Miss Gates is horrified by the thought of a person hurting another simply because of their religion. She thinks it is terrible to harm a Jewish man or woman, because, as Cecil mentioned, “they’re white (329).” Like Alex said, Miss Gates can not see a similarity to the white Jewish men/women in Germany and the Black men/women in Maycomb. Miss Gates was raised to believe that if you are white you are superior, and so to her religion doesn’t make a difference, just how race doesn’t make a difference in other towns. Miss Gates just doesn’t see this because she is the stereotypical Maycomb woman. I think that Harper Lee included this to show someone so different from Atticus, and to make the story more believable and real. Do you think Scout will stand up to Miss Gates as she had to Miss Caroline towards the beginning of the book? Do you think she has grown up and will keep quiet, or do you think she will be more passionate than before? How do you think the events that have lead to this will effect her decision?
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ReplyDeleteAnswering Will's question, I don't think Miss Gate is a bad person. She is just another woman in Maycomb, that has formed her own opinion of racism based on her beliefs. I think she believes that it doesn't matter where someone is from, if they are in the white category, they are definitely more superior than blacks. Answering Jenna's question, like Atticus has said before, you should step into someone's shoes before making quick judgements. So, no one should be hated on for no reason unless, you have stepped into their shoes and are seeing the world how they view it. Answering Sophie's questions I think Scout will stand up to Miss Gates. She has now experienced many kinds of racism, and has probably formed an opinion of her own. I think she will become more passionate, and stand up for what she believes in. Finally, I believe that Jem was furious with Scout for bringing up the court case again is because, he had strongly believed that it was unfair and Tom Robinson should've won. And, he was trying to get over it, but when Scout brought it up again, it reminded him of the unfairness of the society in Maycomb. This is what made him overreact and yell at Scout. Do you think that Jem is going to overreact near the end, however not with his family and is going to get in trouble?
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the chapter, it says " I looked at tree one afternoon: the trunk was swelling around its cement patch. The patch itself was turning yellow." (325) In the beginning of the book, the trunk represents the friendship between the Finch children and Boo Radley. Do you think this symbolizes that Boo Radley is going to return or does it symbolize the anger and hatred that is ready to explode in Maycomb?