Chapter 24, is a chapter that Harper Lee included in the book as part of Scout's coming of age and becoming more ladylike. Aunt Alexandra has her missionary group over to the Finch's house. Aunt Alexandra wants Scout to come and join the ladies while they have refreshments and Scout is sort of hesitant to do so. Aunt Alexandra refers to Scout as, Jean Louise throughout the entire chapter. When Ms. Maudie asks Scout "Where are your britches today?" Scout says that they are, "under my dress." Scout didn't mean to be humorous but the ladies laughed, but not Miss Maudie. Miss Maudie understands when Scout means to funny and understands that Scout is embarrassed. This is an important part of Scout's coming of age, and Harper Lee includes it in the chapter to show that Scout can still make jokes that may be funny to 'real women,' but they may not be funny to her age.
When Atticus returns home much earlier than expected he goes into the kitchen and Aunt Alexandra and Scout meet him there. He takes Calpurnia to Helen Robinson's house with the sad news and leaves Alexandra and Scout and Miss Maudie. Aunt Alexandra looks very shaken by the news, and when Miss Maudie speaks to her, she responds in an almost child-like manner. Once Aunt Alexandra has pulled herself together, she asks, "Do I show it?" And Miss. Maudie says no. Aunt Alexandra wants to look like nothing has happened when she returns to her missionary group. Back in the room with the ladies, Scout thinks to herself, "After all, if Aunty can be a lady at times like this, so could I." Harper Lee makes Scout realize that she is a lady, no matter what.
Questions: Do you think this will later influence how Scout acts around her family, and Atticus? Or will she stay the same, an excitable, adventurous young girl? Do you think Tom Robinson's death will greatly affect Atticus?
Tom Robinson's death will definitely affect Atticus, though he may not show it. After all, Atticus gave it his all when he defended Tom Robinson in front of the jury. The fact that his defendant was shot trying to escape shakened Atticus a little, especially when he already warned Tom Robinson to not do anything that would cause him harm.
ReplyDeleteAs Scout gets older, she might change a little to fit into the mold of being a "lady," but I'm sure she will still retain some of the childish glee and curiosity, though she is faced with new difficulties. Scout is already maturing a little, and as she gets older it will continue. However, it is shown that Scout has an open mind no matter what happens, whether it's the trial, what Maycomb believes in, or maturing.
I think (and hope) that T Rob's death won't affect Scout's behavior, because she is still a little girl. Although it may subconsciously affect her a little bit, she still has that sense of wonder that all little kids have. She is still innocent and ignorant and probably does not even fully understand why he tried to escape if he knew he most likely would not make it. She may realize later on in life that you have to take risks, even if you know that you are not going to make it, but until then she will remain the same old curious Scout.
ReplyDeleteI think Aunt Alexanders actions to Tom Robinson's death is what will change Scout. Yes, I think Scout will start to act more lady like because of what society tells her and what Aunt Alexander is pushing her to be like. I don't think Scout will want to, but she will feel like she has to be the same. To stay an adventures girl, Scout needs to be open minded, like her father. Even though he is her greatest influence, Aunt Alexander starts to take his influence little by little.
ReplyDeleteTom Robinson's death could affect Atticus, but more about what people think of him. I think the Black side of town will start to blame him for his death- they could say he should have done more and worked harder for Tom.
Do you think Atticus could have save Tom Robinson's death in any way possible? How and why?
In these chapters, Harper Lee further shows Jem and Scout’s progression towards adulthood. Evidently, Tom’s trial has forced Jem to grow up and he no longer tolerates casual cruelty and respects all living things. This is shown through the roly-poly bug incident, where Jem stops Scout from killing an insect because it wasn't doing any harm to anyone. This reflects on Chapter 10, when Atticus states that “mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Jem is finally seeing the light in his father’s words after experiencing the cruel, racist side of the adult world from the events of the trial.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the readers can see that Maycomb is still struggling and hiding behind racism. The majority of the people in Maycomb thought that the jury made the right decision, because they refuse to admit that the choice was based on race and to maintain the whites' power. The people of Maycomb believe that Tom Robinson running away was typical of his race and that he was just a black man who had no sense, whereas Tom ran away because he lost hope in himself and the justice system. His death was referred to “the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children”, which implicitly compares Tom to an important symbol in this book, a mockingbird.
Why do you think Harper Lee compared Tom to a mockingbird? What was the significance? Has there been a moment in your life where you saw or heard something that affected you so deeply that it made you rethink about the decisions you make?
Comparing Tom Robinson to a Mockingbird is a turning point in the book as well as a statement to society. Harper Lee is asking society why they hate on blacks, why do we need to treat them so poorly if all they are doing is trying to be part of society. They are not hurting anyone, they are just "singing." When Auntie reacts with a bit of sorrow she is showing that black people have feelings and that one of them dying is equally as bad as a white man dying. This shows Scout that not even Auntie is okay with all of "the Maycomb ways."
ReplyDeleteHow do you think Scout will treat Auntie after seeing this?
Coming of age has been the submerged plot of TKAM since the beginning of the novel. Jem exhibited many scenarios of growing up, and as of these two chapters, we can see that Scout is also progressing in the same manner as Jem was. Jem being older meant that he would go through these changes first, but now, we can see that Scout is turning into more of a lady and earlier then Jem went through the changes. This is most likely the result of her being younger and already exposed to such maturity, but for a brief moment, there was a span of time where we could see the difference of Maturity between Jem and Scout. What other changes will Scout encounter? What do Scouts Britches/overalls represent and what does it mean that their gone?
ReplyDeleteIn Maycomb County the definition of a mockingbird in Maycomb County is a songbird that brings sweet music to people’s ears. Atticus informs Scout and Jem that “it is a sin a mockingbird.” It is a sin because the bird brings joy and shooting one is not a great repayment of thanks. Harper Lee compared Tom Robinson to one of these mockingbirds because what the town is doing to him is a downright shame-a sin to say the least. Tom has committed no crime towards Mayella Ewell to land him in jail or even in court. Tom Robinson was even not racist as he was friendly to Mayella everyday he passed by her home. Tom can be compared to a mockingbird because just as the mockingbird sings sweet music, Tom was an honorable hard working family man. But the jury commits a sin. The jury shoots Tom, the mockingbird, down with hatred from the common theme of racism. It is just as wrong to kill a mockingbird as it was to land Tom in jail and eventually kill him.
ReplyDeleteQuestions: Do you think there is another “mockingbird” in TKAM? If so, who and also do you think the book should be called “To Kill MockingbirdS”?