When Ms. Maudie is talking to Scout, Scout says, "I sure would. Atticus can't do anything..." (p. 120) Ms. Maudie believes that Atticus has, "life in him yet." (p. 120) She then continues on about how Atticus is an amazing Checkers player, he can make a person's will "airtight," and he can play a Jew's Harp. When Atticus gives Scout and Jem their air-rifles, he doesn't talk about his experience with a gun, or anyone else's. All he says is that he wants his children to shoot at tin cans or bluejays, but never to shoot a mocking bird. Shooting a mockingbird is a sin.
It's a sin to kill a mockingbird because all a mockingbird does is sing. They don't bother, and never have bothered anyone in the town. I don't think that Atticus let on that he was an expert Marksman to his children because he wasn't necessarily proud of the fact that he was talented with a gun, and he also didn't want his children to use guns often. Throughout the book, Atticus only uses a gun when it is very necessary, like to kill the mad dog. Mr. Nathan Radley shoots his rifle at a person, because he believes they where a Negro. Atticus would probably never have shot a person, or try to shoot a person. Also, when Jem is practicing shooting, he starts to use Ms. Maudie as a target. Atticus says, "Don't you ever let me see you pointing that gun at anybody ever again."(p. 121) Atticus knows that he is a talented marksman, but he is not very proud about it.
Why do you think Harper Lee put that as one of Atticus's talents in the story? Why does Jem get so paralyzed, when Atticus shoots the dog?
I think that Harper Lee is trying to show that aggression isn't always the answer. That is why Harper Lee has Atticus tell Jem and Scout about how he can play the Jew Harp, and that he used to be the best chess player in the entire town of Maycomb. Also there could be something that happened in the past that made Atticus not want to shoot guns anymore, and that is why he makes Uncle Jack teach Jem and Scout how to shoot.
ReplyDeleteI think that Jem is so paralyzed by Atticus shooting the dog because he always came out as a peaceful person. I think that Harper Lee included this moment because it shows how easy Atticus is succumbed to peer pressure. I think that Haprer Lee is trying to show that although Atticus didn't want to shoot the dog, Sheriff Heck made him do it.
How will the town react to Atticus shooting the dog? Why is Harper Lee showing how easy Atticus is succumbed to peer pressure?
The incident with the mad dog shows how brave Atticus is and symbolizes Maycomb's dependence upon his protection. I believe the reason behind why Atticus never told Jem and Scout about his talent was that he wanted to instill moral values in his children; teaching them that violence is not the answer and bravery doesn't revolve around weapons. Atticus wanted his children to learn what courage really is. For example, he constantly tells Jem and Scout to avoid getting in fights, even if they are being verbally abused.
ReplyDeleteHarper Lee brings Mrs. Dubose into the novel to emphasize Atticus' maturity and adult approach to how he views everyone compared to the way Jem does. Although Mrs. Dubose is racist, criticizes Atticus for defending a black man, and curses to children, Atticus respects her for being "the bravest person he has ever known" (p. 112). Even with her flaws, Atticus tries to see the good in her which connects to his approach to Tom Robinson's case. On the other hand, Jem receives a white camellia from Mrs. Dubose that symbolizes purity and goodness, but immediately rejects the gift, saying "Old hell-devil! Why can't she leave alone?" (p. 111) This shows that Jem is not willing to look past one's mishaps to eventually see the good in them.
Why do think Harper Lee included the white camellia at the end? Do you agree with Atticus' parenting style? Do you think Atticus' approach to things will reflect on Tom Robinson's case?
Harper Lee used the white camellia to show that there is good and bad in everyone. Although Ms. Dubose was bitter and cruel to the children, we learn after her death that she was fighting her own battles too. As a morphine addict, she had many deep-seated issues in her life. Her anger and judgement were borne from her personal struggles, not hatred for Scout and Jem in particular. Revealing this about Ms. Dubose helps Harper Lee with Scout's coming-of-age journey. Scout begins to see the world in a more true, complex light instead of assuming that there is a clear-cut right and wrong in every situation. As Scout and Jem grow, they are beginning to see the darker problems of the world. Especially with the upcoming trial, they will be exposed to heavy adult issues as young children.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Scout will be able to handle the situation she's thrust into? Who will help her most? Will the town ostracize her because of her father's choices?
Harper Lee makes Atticus almost the exact opposite of Maycomb. He dislikes his skills with guns, supports any human being (no matter the skin color) and sees the better in everyone, especially Ms.Dubose. Even with Ms.Dubose cruel words and insults toward his children he always seemed to look past it and put himself into her skin. Harper Lee makes Atticus a skilled shooter to show just how different and caring he is. Scout was disappointing at first, to see that her father isn't like the others, but than soon learns the benefits of her father being so different.
ReplyDeleteAs the story goes on, the trail seems to take a larger effect on Scout and Jem, especially the insults they are receiving not just from children but from adults. Scout seems to be holding herself together much better than Jem is.
Will Scout handle the trial better than Jem? Will Scout ever loose it like Jem does to Ms. Dubose?
In chapter 9, Jem was complaining about how his father can't do anything because he's so old. He says that while all the other fathers are hunting and playing football, all Atticus is ever doing is reading. Ms. Maudie tells Jem about some of his father's talents, but Jem is not amused. He doesn't care about the talents unique to Atticus; he wants his father to be like everyone else's. When Jem and Scout are given their air rifles, Harper Lee writes that Atticus never told them how to shoot the rifles, and he didn't want to teach them how. This makes it seem as though Atticus has no experience whatsoever with rifles. However, we are later surprised to hear he has the best shot in all of Maycomb. I think that having the best shot is just one of Atticus' great qualities, and we will continue to discover more of them as the story moves on. Also, I think Jem will learn to appreciate his father for who he is more as the book goes on. Harper Lee is keeping a lot of Atticus' personality mysterious, and I think we are now getting to a place in the book when his character will be put to the test.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Atticus has other hidden talents that we will discover? How does Atticus being a different type of father affect Jem and Scout?