Throughout the book so far, Scout has worshiped Jem, but suddenly, as he matures, she grows much less patient with him. After Jem hears Aunt Alexandra bickering with Atticus about Scout visiting Calpurnia's house, he pulls Scout aside and warns her not to antagonize Aunt Alexandra, or make her the enemy. Scout, with rising fury, ends up punching him and pinning him to the bed.
"'...I'll kill you!' He was sitting on the bed, and it was easy to grad his front hair and land one on his mouth...[He] nearly knocked the breath out of me, but it didn't matter becuase I knew he was fighting, he was fighting me back. We were still equals. 'Ain't so high and mighty now, are you!'...What had begun as a fist-fight became a brawl." (156-157)
Jem has matured greatly in the past few chapters. Calpurnia even went as far as to start calling him 'Mister Jem' to show that he is a young man rather than a boy. Scout clearly worshiped Jem and followed his every move in the beginning of the book, but as he makes the change into adolescence, she feels alienated by him, and deals with this through anger. She feels that he is less of a brother and more of a parent, and she finds the need to establish that just because he is growing up, he is still her equal. Atticus, Calpurnia, and even Aunt Alexandra are influences on Scout's daily life. Scout loves all of these people, but she has certainly had her disagreeements with them all. Jem has been the only constant character throughout the course of the book who has remained consistently an accomplice of Scout's. Suddenly, he starts to want to be around her less. She can handle that reasonably well, but when Jem starts preaching and setting rules for her, especially about Aunt Alexandra, she loses it and fights him. Scout feels betrayed by Jem and has no way to tell him that in words, becuase she may not even be able to identify it herself. Jem's adult attitude it frustrating Scout very much.
Do you think Scout and Jem will grow further apart, or will they get closer as Scout matures? What would you have done if you were Scout in this situation? Do you think Jem was right or wrong to try to tell Scout what to do?
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
What is it that caused a mob to form? To disperse? Why do people do things while part of a mob they would not do on their own?
A mob was first formed because they came to tell Atticus that Tom Robinson was put back into the jail. Although these people might not agree with Atticus defending a negro, the group of men were friend's of Atticus and had come to notify him. One of the men said once while this was going on, "Nobody around here's up to anything, it's that Old Sarum bunch I'm worried about..." (194). I think that the "Old Sarum Bunch" is the group off strangers, that showed up later in the reading, that came by the jail with the intention of lynching Tom Robinson. That is why Atticus went out to the jail at night: to protect Tom.
They all left because Jem called Atticus, saying that the phone was ringing "Atticus, the telephone's ringing!" (195). It was almost like the phone ringing was just an excuse for Jem to get the men out of there, because he thought they were a gang. After Jem said that, they all laughed and carried on.
People tend to do things while part of a mob, rather than doing it on their own because that way they are more confident. They know that they have a whole mob to support them and they know that they are the bigger and tougher party, and that makes them the ones controlling the conversation, rather than vise versa. "In Maycomb, grown men stood outside in the front yard for only two reasons: death and politics," (193). Death and politics are two very big topics, that obviously need a whole group to help reinforce one another's ideas.
I think that Harper Lee added in this bit about the mob to really show how this court case is affecting the whole town and that is very serious, serious enough for a group of men to gather in the Finch's yard, when normally they only do that for "death" and "politics." It also shows that Atticus's friends really care about him, enough to go against what they believe in (that no white man should defend a black man) and warn their friend about what was happening and also about what group to worry about.
Do you think that Atticus's friends came with the intention of wanting him about the Old Sarum group? Did that just happen to come up? Was it a good idea for Scout to talk to Mr. Cummingham?
They all left because Jem called Atticus, saying that the phone was ringing "Atticus, the telephone's ringing!" (195). It was almost like the phone ringing was just an excuse for Jem to get the men out of there, because he thought they were a gang. After Jem said that, they all laughed and carried on.
People tend to do things while part of a mob, rather than doing it on their own because that way they are more confident. They know that they have a whole mob to support them and they know that they are the bigger and tougher party, and that makes them the ones controlling the conversation, rather than vise versa. "In Maycomb, grown men stood outside in the front yard for only two reasons: death and politics," (193). Death and politics are two very big topics, that obviously need a whole group to help reinforce one another's ideas.
I think that Harper Lee added in this bit about the mob to really show how this court case is affecting the whole town and that is very serious, serious enough for a group of men to gather in the Finch's yard, when normally they only do that for "death" and "politics." It also shows that Atticus's friends really care about him, enough to go against what they believe in (that no white man should defend a black man) and warn their friend about what was happening and also about what group to worry about.
Do you think that Atticus's friends came with the intention of wanting him about the Old Sarum group? Did that just happen to come up? Was it a good idea for Scout to talk to Mr. Cummingham?
Write an 8 to 10 line poem about Dill.
Dill,
Dill, a boy gone in a flutter
A
boy without a mother or father
Traveled
with the show all over Mississippi
Fought
his way through dirt and train, just like a hippie
Starving
and mourning, he finds his way to Maycomb
Walking,
jogging, sprinting, he goes to the Finch’s home
Discovered
under Scout’s bed
Dill
will not flee
He
becomes part of the Finch’s
And
is free and part of their family
What do you think of Dill now that he has left his parents and come to Maycomb? Will he stay with the Finch's for a while or will he find another home? Do you think that Dill's story of his travels are true? Or did he make his story up, just for attention?
Monday, October 1, 2012
Explain the last line of Chapter 13.
The last line of Chapter 13 gives Harper Lee the chance to explain to the reader how Scout is advancing and maturing as a lady. When Aunt Alexandra arrives at the Finch household, Scout knows that she will be tormented about not being lady-like. As the chapter progresses, Scout begins to realize that she will inevitably grow up to be a woman and she starts to embrace who she is. During her chat with Atticus, Scout thinks to herself, "I know now what he was trying to do, but Atticus was only a man. It takes a woman to do that kind of work." (152) In Scout's maturing mind she has begun to understand the expectations and stereotypes of women. During that time a woman is portrayed in a certain way. Scout's knowledge of a woman's portrayal in the South during the 1930's leads her to make the inference that, "it takes a woman to do that kind of work." As Scout Finch continues to learn how a woman should act and dress, she will learn to become one as well. Harper Lee chose to include this line in order to further mature Scout and to portray stereotypes of women during that time. Scout's maturing is something that all readers can connect to because we have all grown up. She uses this particular line to move Scout a stage further in her maturity. This line is also included because it shows the reader exactly what a white woman is supposed to be like and what "kind of work" she has to do. Harper Lee does a great job with maturing Scout and explaining the stereotypical woman in one simple line.
How do you think Scout will react to being pushed toward maturity? Will she push it away or embrace it? How will Atticus influence Scout's growing up? Will Scout struggle with maturing without a real mother figure in her life?
How do you think Scout will react to being pushed toward maturity? Will she push it away or embrace it? How will Atticus influence Scout's growing up? Will Scout struggle with maturing without a real mother figure in her life?
How does Aunt Alexandra affect the routines of Atticus, Jem, and Scout
Atticus has been away for much of the summer months he and Aunt Alexandra believed it would be a good idea to have her stay with Jem and Scout. Aunt Alexandra has a strong personality and when she tells someone to do something they better do it. When Aunt Alexandra comes into the Finch's house she says to Scout "We decided that it would be best for you to have some feminine influence."(170) When Aunt Alexandra comes to live with the family she immediately decides that her way are how things will be done in the house. Aunt Alexandra fits into the town of Maycomb almost immediately proving the point that she makes things the way she wants it to be. Clearly she wanted to be a member of the community and that's what she did she went out into the town of Maycomb and instantly became friendly with everyone in the town. This is what Aunt Alexandra did to the routines of Jem and Scout as well she imposed her will and made the changes to their routines that she saw fit. Aunt Alexandra has told Atticus to tell Jem and Scout that they are not run-of-the-mill people and that they are the product of gentle breeding. She also told Atticus to tell Jem and Scout that they need to live up to their names and that the need to start acting like the little lady and gentleman they are. This is where it is recognized that Aunt Alexandra is the queen bee and she gets what she wants.
How will Jem and Scout react to what their father has just told them? Do you get the feeling that Aunt Alexandra has some control over what Atticus says and does? Do you like or dislike Aunt Alexandra.
Explain the last line of Chapter 13.
Explain the last line of Chapter 13.
The last line of chapter 13 is very significant in Scout's perception of herself and of other women in Maycomb. When Aunt Alexandra arrived, Scout felt that she would be forced to act ladylike and effeminate (and she was not wrong.) Scout even says, "Aunt Alexandra fitted into the world of Maycomb like a hand into a glove, but never into the world of Jem and me." (175) Scout is worried that, for the rest of her life, she will be expected to behave in a feminine manner. Because of this, she starts looking for a way to remain strong and tomboyish.
Scout then begins to look at the people around her for answers. The only option she sees is to be strong through doing difficult tasks that are usually relegated to women. She tries to reassure herself, saying, "It takes a woman to do that kind of work." (179) Scout is trying to reassure herself that the truly hard things are assigned to women, and being tough does not necessarily mean fighting back (similar to Atticus' explanation that courage isn't just a man with a gun in his hand). By doing this, Harper Lee is showing, rather than telling, how Scout tries to be herself by being somebody else, to be ladylike and strong at the same time, and to grow up and stay young at the same time.
The last line of chapter 13 is very significant in Scout's perception of herself and of other women in Maycomb. When Aunt Alexandra arrived, Scout felt that she would be forced to act ladylike and effeminate (and she was not wrong.) Scout even says, "Aunt Alexandra fitted into the world of Maycomb like a hand into a glove, but never into the world of Jem and me." (175) Scout is worried that, for the rest of her life, she will be expected to behave in a feminine manner. Because of this, she starts looking for a way to remain strong and tomboyish.
Scout then begins to look at the people around her for answers. The only option she sees is to be strong through doing difficult tasks that are usually relegated to women. She tries to reassure herself, saying, "It takes a woman to do that kind of work." (179) Scout is trying to reassure herself that the truly hard things are assigned to women, and being tough does not necessarily mean fighting back (similar to Atticus' explanation that courage isn't just a man with a gun in his hand). By doing this, Harper Lee is showing, rather than telling, how Scout tries to be herself by being somebody else, to be ladylike and strong at the same time, and to grow up and stay young at the same time.
What affect does Aunt Alexandra have on the routines of Atticus, Jem, and Scout?
Aunt Alexandra is very controling in her personality, she forces Scout, Atticus, and Jem to act the way that she thinks is correct. When Aunt Alexandra first shows up at the Finch's house, the kids are skeptical when she says "Your father and I decided it was time I came to stay with you for a while." (169) When Alexandra says this the kids are skeptical because it doesn't seem like Atticus decided on this, more like Alexandra declared she was coming. In example, Scout narrates, "I had an idea, however, that Aunt Alexandra's appearance on the scene was not so much Atticus's doing as her's." this implies that Aunt Alexandra demanded her appearance here, while Atticus may not have felt that it was appropriate.
At the end of the chapter when Atticus shows up in Jem's room when both Jem and Scout are there, he acts very uncomfortable, as if something were dearly wrong. Atticus was fidgeting during his presence there, a lawyer was fidgeting! Lawyers are trained and taught not to let any sign of discomfort show. Atticus was fidgeting because he did not agree with what he was about to tell them. Atticus said, "Your aunt has asked me to try and impress upon you and Jean Louise that you are not run-of-the-mill people, that you are the product of several generations' gentle breeding...and you should try to live up to your name... She wants you to behave like the little lady and gentleman that you are... you might need to be moved accordingly." Jem and Scout quickly burst into tears. They hated Alexandra! They knew that this was here doing. As Scout had thought, "This was not my father. My father never thought these thoughts. Aunt Alexandra had put him up to this, somehow." This shows that Aunt Alexandra has a slight amount of control over Atticus. Aunt Alexandra is constantly changing their normal lifestyles and routines.
At the end of the chapter when Atticus shows up in Jem's room when both Jem and Scout are there, he acts very uncomfortable, as if something were dearly wrong. Atticus was fidgeting during his presence there, a lawyer was fidgeting! Lawyers are trained and taught not to let any sign of discomfort show. Atticus was fidgeting because he did not agree with what he was about to tell them. Atticus said, "Your aunt has asked me to try and impress upon you and Jean Louise that you are not run-of-the-mill people, that you are the product of several generations' gentle breeding...and you should try to live up to your name... She wants you to behave like the little lady and gentleman that you are... you might need to be moved accordingly." Jem and Scout quickly burst into tears. They hated Alexandra! They knew that this was here doing. As Scout had thought, "This was not my father. My father never thought these thoughts. Aunt Alexandra had put him up to this, somehow." This shows that Aunt Alexandra has a slight amount of control over Atticus. Aunt Alexandra is constantly changing their normal lifestyles and routines.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)