In this seemingly quiet interlude, both Jem and Scout ask some important questions and come to some important understandings.
EXPLORE
- Read Chapters 25-27
- Discuss the meaning of the following quote: "Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed" (323).
- Discuss the meaning of the following quote: "Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home--" (331).
EXPAND
Why is Harper Lee's theme of social injustice still relevant today and, in particular, in your community?
Reflect upon a time when you have witnessed some personal hypocrisy. Why do you think people behave in this way?
Hey, I'm Cody Lane. The statement by Mr. Underwood in his newspaper compares the killing of Tom to the killing of a songbird. He said it was senseless and childlike. At first when Scout reads this, she thinks he's wrong because, from her view, Tom recieved a fair trial, but then she thought some more about what Mr. Underwood had said and figured out what the meaning was in his words. She finally understood what Mr. Underwood had meant. Tom never could have a fair trial since the prejudices inside the jury's hearts would convict him no matter what evidence was brought forward. They had already decided Tom's fate before they were even selected for jury. Once Mayella had screamed, Tom's fate was sealed because every man's heart had a court that had permanently decided the fate of any negro to be conviction. The killing of Tom was senseless and childlike because the jury had not used any logic to decide his fate, but instead they used the hatred in their hearts to make a senseless decision. Tom was a bird, and the jury was a child with a gun. It was a pointless death that was set in stone for Tom before Atticus was eveappointed his lawyer.
ReplyDeleteFocus 9 (Amanda Johnson)
ReplyDeleteI believe that at this age not everyone has their own opinion. We as children often take the things we hear from our parents and use it as our own words. We have yet not created our own opinions because our brains have not reached that potential. So as children we only believe and defend what our parents think and believe. So in that sense some people can be socially injustice because their parents are. Now for parents, they have their own opinions and no one will exactly understand why they would feel the way they do unless you feel the same way. I believe that everyone has their own reasons and morals behind it whether I, or you, or anyone else thinks it’s right or wrong it really doesn’t matter. Some people that have a life changing events; for example; if someone were to have noticed three white men beating up one black man or three black men beating up one white man. Some might change their opinion or perspective by seeing this event taking place. Others may not change their opinion no matter what anyone says or trys to convince them to do. Some will keep going as if nothing happened and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. So sometimes people just have to believe what they believe and let no one else get in the way of their beliefs.
Amanda Johnson
I agree with Amanda. Many of us just think what is right because of our family. Growing up you are taught what is right and wrong by your family, so if your family was being socially injustice it doesn't make more sense to follow. I believe many people do this today. Although some people may break off from what family thinks, many still do have one set opinion that is strong. Sexism and racism is widely across our nation still today, maybe not quite to the extent it used to be but it still is. It's a shame but it's just one of those things we can not stop. I do not think that social injustice is that big of a problem in the small town i live in, but people do turn there heads if certain things are seen or heard. For example, people still are shocked when a white girl is seen with a black man or reversed way. In Harper Lee's story, she was just showing the start of a huge but yet slowly flickering flame of social injustice.
ReplyDeleteFinal Post-Focus #9
ReplyDeleteI think that social unjustice today is not common anymore. Of course there will be people today that are racist or prejuduce. In my hometown there is not people who say things about people they dont know. My town is very small so everyone knows everyone and ther is no descrimination or racism at all.
Hello, this is krista, just thought i'd jump in on the conversation... I'll start by saying I agree with the posts so far.
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Answering the Explore question # 3 - Discuss the meaning of the quote, "Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home.."
I think this quote ties in with other elements in the story such as becoming of age, prejudice, etc. Going back to the quote, I think it means in simpler terms, how can someone say someone is wrong or bad but really be just like them? This quote is said by Scout and I think it shows that most of the people in town could say that Hitler(or even Tom) is bad, but really they are just like that person, maybe even worse. This is what confuses scout. What do you think?
Social injustice even though in a small town seems to be a big issue. Tom Robinson seems to be the talk around town on how he raped Mayella Ewell. People calling him a nigger can spread then children hearing this can be bad for the parents of the children. Mr Ewell seems to be spreading most of these things just because he hates the blacks. Racism and prejudice seems to be a problem all over the world. Everyone seems to find it hard to except black people. Atticus trys to teach his young children to be respectful and not to be rude to others.
ReplyDeletePeople get oppinions for things from their parents. if a parent is racist then most likely the child will be. children can not develop a oppinion of their own until they are nearly full grown. around that time people wanted to be like everyone else. when tom was charged people knew he was not guilty but to reserve from being hated upon they acted as he was guilty.
ReplyDeleteAttics new he couldn't win even form the start.But he kept on going for Tom Robinson's sake.
ReplyDeleteJem he Probly hates Hitler because of what he did, then he takes all his hatrid on his family members.
Atticus did everything he could do to deffend Tom Robbinson but because Tom Robbinson was black he was helpless as soon as Mayla Ewell said something. Scout want to know how people can say that someone is a terrable person and go on to being mean to someone else.
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