Harper Lee uses Atticus to show Jem and Scout the world of adult problems that they will soon have to face. When Atticus is explaining why the jury didn't acquit Tom Robinson, Jem is confused. Having never dealt with racism firsthand before, Jem can't understand why the jury finds Tom guilty even after Atticus presents such a good case. Atticus explains, "Those are twelve reasonable men in everyday life, Tom's jury, but you saw something come between them and reason... when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins. They're ugly, but those are the facts of life." (295).
This shows Jem that although he has been raised in an open-minded environment, many do not have the same views. Through Atticus sharing this with Jem, Scout gains perspective too. This new information opens her eyes to the advantages she's been handed simply by being raised in Atticus's household. Before the trial, Scout hadn't truly faced racism because of Atticus's forward-thinking attitude and strong moral compass, but now she is suddenly being faced with the harsh reality of racism in Maycomb. Scout quickly learns that life is definitely not fair. By having Atticus explains the deep-seated racial issues of Maycomb to Jem, Harper Lee is able to use the lesson to help Scout mature as well.
What other sources of racial tension do you think there will be as the book progresses? Will Jem and Scout continue to have the same views about racism and equality? What effect does Aunt Alexandra have on the values in the Finch household?
Having Tom Robinson be found guilty was a complete shock to both Jem and Scout. They were aware of the racism that exists in Maycomb, but had never experienced it to that extent. Atticus has taught them to think for themselves, and Jem and Scout have become some of the few people in Maycomb who are actually aware of how absurd the racism is, and more specifically, how absurd the results of the trial are. Almost everyone else in the town is probably aware that Tom Robinson is innocent, and racism is wrong, but their "reasoning processes" are completely interfered with by the Maycomb way. I also think that Jem and Scout haven't yet been put in a situation that will really put their "reasoning processes" to the test, and when they are it will be interesting to see if they end up conforming to the Maycomb way of racism. By the kids being so shocked at the verdict of the trial, Harper Lee is trying to show that Jem and Scout are still children and don't know everything, but are truly beginning to understand the real world.
ReplyDeleteDo you think there is going to be a situation later on in the book where Jem and Scout have to try to think for themselves, and ultimately make the right decision?
Why does Harper Lee have Jem be so sure that his father and Tom Robinson will win, only to have them lose, as predicted?
Further in the book, Harper Lee will continue to write about situations where there is racial tension between black and white people. As the book progresses, Jem and scout will start to understand that segregation plays a major role in their time. Even though both of them are not crystal clear on that idea right now, Harper Lee will continue to put them in real life situations to expand their understanding of racial separation. With the wisdom and intelligence of Atticus, Jem and Scout are probably receiving more education about racial segregation than other kids in town. Most children have parents that are geared towards one side and teach their kids that that is the only “right” way. Atticus sets a good example for Jem and Scout by defending Tom Robinson, showing that the way blacks are treated isn’t okay. Jem and Scout will grow up to learn to respect everyone, have empathy for others, and learn that segregation between black and white people is unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that Aunt Alexandra plays a role in Jem and Scout’s education? If so, how? What about Calpurnia?
Scout and Jem will continue to see racism and equality the same way because they were both raised knowing the same things and seeing racism in the same context. Scout and Jem started to see the racism in Maycomb during the trial and both understand it the same way because when Atticus talks about it, he talks to both of them so neither is at a "disadvantage" in knowledge about racism. Scout and Jem continue to mature and grow at the same rate.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the entire book, Aunt Alexandra has been preaching her family's rank amongst everyone. Her obsession with her social class is the drive behind her policing Scout and the Family to take advantage of their position in life. In these recent chapters we can see how the Finch's open mindedness is upsetting Alexandra and causing her to have constant bursts of anger predominantly towards Scout. And with this sense of self entitlement, she is crippling the moral ground on which Atticus sets himself so high by forcing her ignorance and prejudice on the family. Why doesn't Atticus teach Aunt Alexandra a lesson about her ways instead of letting her continue on the way she does? What allows Atticus to be so mild mannered?
ReplyDeleteI think that Jem and Scout will both always have the same views on racism. I say this because both Jem and Scout grow up in a house with Atticus and are strongly influenced by him. Atticus has shown and explained his point of view on racism and I think that both Jem and Scout agree on his views. As long as Atticus is in their lives, they will have the same views on racism and hopefully take those views on to when they are older.
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ReplyDeleteSince Aunt Alexandra arrived the Finch household dynamics have changed drastically. Aunt Alexandra has a stricter view of Southern culture and traditions than Atticus ever has had. Atticus treats his children as equals and talks to them in an adult manner. Atticus also has a looser parenting style, allowing Scout to dress and act as a tomboy. Atticus not only treats his kids with respect but treats everybody else with respect too. Even when Bob Ewell spits in his face and says he will kill Atticus, Atticus keeps his cool. On the other hand Atticus' "cool" can make him naïve sometimes. For instance he does not realize the danger for his kids with the posse outside the jail. Despite this flaw, Atticus disregards social statuses and treats all fairly. An example of his fairness is taking on the job of defending Tom Robinson and allowing Walter Cunningham Jr. to have lunch with Scout and co. Aunt Alexandra is the polar opposite.
ReplyDeleteAunt Alexandra does not have a loose style for anything. She is obsessed with streaks and family heritage. Implying that she is also big on "lines". That Aunt Alexandra believes in people having a specific place in society and that people should stay within the lined borders of their social status. This quality, in her, changes the usual values in the Finch household. Previously, Atticus kept the house a racist and judgment free zone. His values for his kids are to be kind to all. Aunt Alexandra disrupts these values bringing her social status strictness. Aunt Alexandra will not allow Scout to play or bring Walter Cunningham over to play as he is in a different status. This refusal shines the light to Scout on social status lines that Atticus has never made visible to her before. Now that Scout has realized that “folks are not just folks” but in four different groups, she has lost something. Now Scout can never go back to her childish ignorance of borders.
Q's: When do you think Scout will have her ultimate "porch/cemented tree moment"? Will that full realization occur in this book? Why or why not.
I believe that more conflict will be caused because of racial tension, because most of the whites think that Atticus is taking the black side on this. By representing Tom Robinson, Atticus is an outcast in the town. Most of the town people are on the Ewells side, simply because they are white. I believe that Scout and Jem will continue to have the same views on racism because they are both raised by Atticus, who is very moral and ahead of his time. Aunt Alexandra has a huge affect on the Finch household because she is the opposite of Atticus. Atticus understands the world, and understands how life works and how people should be treated. Aunt Alexandra on the other hand, is just the same as the other ignorent white folks in Maycomb. I think it's important that Scout and Jem buy in to Atticus' way of life, and not be sucked in by the pressure of Aunt Alexandra, or by the town of Maycomb.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Scout has yet to have her "porch/cemented tree moment". Based on what we have read so far in the novel it seems as if Scout is started to get the idea of how racist and prejudice the citizens of Maycomb are. These ideas really affected Scout personally when she told Aunt Alexandra that she was going to invite Walter Cunningham over more often. Aunt Alexandra shattered Scout's plans for the future after explaining to her that Walter Cunningham is not good enough to hang around the Finch family and that the Cunningham's will always be dirty farmers that drink. Even though Scout cryed it was tears that resulted from empathy, she truly felt bad for Walter and other people that are pre- judged. I believe that Scout gets that people are racist and prejudice, but she does understand why they are racist and prejudice. Scout is in an in between stage and she will learn, whether it is from her personal experience or Atticus’ wise words the reason behind Maycomb’s horrible “ways”.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Scout will learn the reason behind Maycomb’s way by her own experience, or one of Atticus’ many lessons? What stage would you say Jem is in now? Why?