In chapter 9, Cecil Jacobs' verbal attack on Atticus arouses Scout's fighting issues, but she manages to contain it for 3 weeks... Until she is insulted by her own relative. "Relativity." Scout's anger slowly grows as Francis accuses Atticus of being a "nigger-lover" again and again. (page 110)"I guess it ain't your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I'm here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family--" When Francis delivers the finishing touch by saying "nigger-lover" one more time (page 112), Scout finally snaps. Harper Lee makes the readers' hatred of Francis build along with Scout's by making him the most goody-two-shoes, obnoxious, nerd you have ever met. He not only fuels Scout's rage but the readers' as well, making you just want to PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE AND SCREAM "BUSTED! COLD-DUSTED! HAWT DAWG WIT MUSTAHD!" This chapter is about Scout's struggle to (peacefully) protect her dad, who is doing what he thinks is right, but the rest of the South thinks is wrong. This struggle is probably a foreshadowing by Harper Lee of the controversial court case to come, and the ugly argument that is inevitable.
Why do you think Atticus would no longer be able to command his kids if he did not accept this case?
Do you think that when Scout says "relativity (page 104)" it was a foreshadowing of the fight to come? Do you think it some other significance?
How did the fight with Francis affect Scout's relationship with her Uncle Jack?
Why did Atticus want Scout to overhear his conversation with Uncle Jack? Do you think this will come up again later in the book? If so, when? What significance do you think this has?
I believe that Atticus will no longer be able to command his kids because up to that point in time, Atticus has been portrayed by Harper Lee as strong and concrete. If Atticus doesn't accept the case, Scout and Jem may view their father as weaker than their expectations. This is because Harper Lee tells the reader that Atticus has always been seen as not part of the gossip of Maycomb and unbiased from its influence.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that Maycomb be freed from the bias and the jury will be able to view Tom Robinson as not just a "nigger" but a human being?
If not how do you think Atticus will be able to convince them of this?