Chapters 12-13: Explain what Scout means when she says, "There was indeed a caste system in Maycomb" (175) What is a caste system, and how does it work in Maycomb, according to Scout? (Sharon)

In chapter 13 Scout says "There was indeed a caste system in Maycomb" (175). A caste system is a social class that you are given too at birth. In Maycomb your family name puts you into that category.  When Scout says "...were utterly predictable to one another: they took for granted attitudes, character shadings, even gestures, as having been repeated in each generation refined by time" (175). Scout is explaining how everyone sees others. That everything gets passed down over generation to generation. For example the Ewells have a reputation of only going to school on the first day and never going back. This is what they're known for and the next generation will be known for the same. 
Do you think it's right for the citizens of Maycomb county to stereotype people by their family names? 
If you were a Ewell, and you wanted to actually get an education would you break the reputation that you've created for yourself.

Chapters 12-13: What does Scout learn (and the reader) through the trip to the church about the divisions in Maycomb County? (Simru S-E)

Scout learns quite a bit about the tension between white and black people, as well as their way of life that was brought upon them by this tension.  Calpurnia is truly indifferent to this, shown by when she suggests that Jem and Scout come to church with her.  They enter the church, and most of the congregation treats them with great respect.  “When they saw Jem and me with Calpurnia, the men stepped back and took off their hats… weekday gestures of respect” (158).  However, this is not all of them.  After this show of respect, one woman named Lula comes up and starts to judge Calpurnia’s decision, but Calpurnia fights back.  “‘[Lula] wants to know why you bringin’ white chillun to n***** church… you ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here - they got their church, we got our’n.  It is our church, ain’t it, Miss Cal?’... Calpurnia said, ‘It’s the same God, ain’t it?’” (159).  The congregation then shoos Lula out of there, but still her action is very prominent.  This goes to show how even though most of Maycomb’s black population are polite, there are still some that hold a grudge, and really have every right to.  They are treated as second-class citizens, and white people brought this inferiority upon them.  Therefore, they harbor a hatred for white folks which comes from the white people’s unrealistic hatred for them.  However, most of them, as shown by their warmth and appreciation in the church, are very appreciative and kind, and do not generalize when it comes to the roles of races.  They see that Jem and Scout have not done anything against them, so they don’t have to be wary of them.  Calpurnia especially treats Jem and Scout like her own, and sees that there should be no borders between the two races.  “It’s the same God” is what she says, showing she sees no reason for whites and blacks to be any different from one another.  But people like Lula have developed a distrust for all white people, and generalize when it comes to who caused her race’s oppression.  Overall, in this encounter, Jem and Scout see two sides of the story, and get to experience firsthand the tension they get from varying opinions.

Do you think Scout and Jem will experience more situations like Lula’s as the Tom Robinson trial progresses? Will they also experience hate from white people as well? Overall, how has Scout handled the hate launched at her so far?

Chapter 12-13 What do you learn about Aunt Alexandra in chapter 13 in general, and what do you learn about her influence over Atticus and his family? (Charlotte)

In chapter 13, we learn that Aunt Alexandra is a person who doesn’t take no for an answer. When Jem and Scout return from attending church with Calpurnia, they see her sitting on their porch. Scout described it as, “I looked down the street. Enamored, upright, uncompromising, Aunt Alexandra was sitting in a rocking chair exactly as if she had sat there every day of her life.” (Lee 168) Scout shows us that Aunt Alexandra has a tendency to make herself feel at home, and also that she expects others to allow her to barge in at any random moment. In addition, Aunt Alexandra loves attention. She’ll make it a point to get herself noticed, just like she did by joining and becoming secretary of the Maycomb Amanuensis Club when she had only been staying with Atticus for a short amount of time.

Aunt Alexandra is highly comparable to Charlotte Phelan in The Help, who is always trying to get her daughter, Skeeter, to act more feminine and proper. But despite all of Charlotte’s nagging, Skeeter remains the way she is and forces her mother to accept it.

Overall, Aunt Alexandra is a character who has very old-fashioned views on women, isn’t very understanding, and does not fully comprehend where she is and isn’t wanted.

Do you think Aunt Alexandra will end up changing Scout? Or will Scout end up changing Aunt Alexandra?

Chapter 12-13- What do you learn about Calpurnia in chapter 12? What does Scout realize about her? (Emily Plump)

            In chapter 12, we learn that Calpurnia has a different side of her from working for the Finches. Scout and Jem have never heard Calpurnia talk like she does in her church. Scout asks Calpurnia why she talks like colored people and Scout says that it isn’t right to do that. Jem thinks that she doesn’t have to talk like that and Calpurnia replies, "Suppose you and Scout talked colored-folks' talk at home it'd be out of place, wouldn't it? Now what if I talked white-folks' talk at church, and with my neighbors? They'd think I was puttin' on airs to beat Moses” (Lee 167).  From hearing Calpurnia talk differently with colored people, Scout and Jem realize that she has a different life outside of their house. Calpurnia also acts differently when she’s with her colored friend. Scout finds out that Zeebo is Calpurnia’s son. She is teaching him how to read because Calpurnia learned from Mrs. Buford, who taught her how to read. From finding out about Calpurnia’s different life, Scout really starts to like her a lot more and he even wants to go to Calpurnia’s house to find out a lot more about her.

Why do you think Calpurnia acts and talks differently with her colored friends and to the Finches?

Chapter 10/11 Explain Atticus's definition of courage (Julia Lang)

      After Mrs. Dubose died, Atticus told Jem and Scout his real definition of courage. This is what he said, ".....I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her views, she died beholded to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew" (Lee 149). Atticus knew that the kids looked up to him for having the courage to shoot the dog in chapter 10, but that isn't the type of courage that he wants them to admire. Atticus would rather them look up to him for taking on the Robinson case because it shows great respect for others and it is the right thing to do even if it may cause him to loose friends or to get a lot of public hatred. Real courage isn't one small thing that is noticed it is the big picture, it is all the small painful and scary things that eventually grow into one big thing. Real courage may cause you to get hurt mentally or physically, but once whatever you've done is over you will have such a great feeling of accomplishment.

Chapters 10-11: Explain Atticus's definition of courage. Mitch

     


       In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird  by Harper Lee, The main characters father, Atticus describes "Courage" in a very unique way. According to (Lee 145) Atticus says  to Jem, "I want you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand." What he meant by this is courage is not playing it safe; it is taking a risk to prove yourself and not have a fear of failure. In these two chapters Atticus did not stand up to a rabid dog. He was clearly scared of it. Instead of trying to lure it back to safety he took Mr.Tate's rifle and shot it. Also according to (Lee 145) again Atticus says "You rarely win but sometimes you do." What I personally think about this is that Atticus is saying you have a lot of courage to keep fighting even after a loss. You are trying to prove to yourself or to other people that you are not afraid to fail, and that you will keep trying.

      Do you think this is what Atticus meant when he was speaking about courage? Do you think Atticus is the man people really say he is? Do you think he wants his children to be like himself, or better than himself?

Chapter 10/11 Why is it appropriate to kill a mad dog, but not a mockingbird? (Amy Khoshbin)

       Atticus tells his children that it is okay to shoot a bluejay, but it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, which is a philosophy that he uses when Scout and Jem see the rabid dog. Atticus wants them to believe that courage and integrity are values that are not obtained through the abuse of power, such as killing an innocent being, but through the use of power only when necessary, and just. After receiving air rifles for Christmas, Atticus tells Jem that it’s okay to shoot bluejays, but it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. After asking Ms. Maudie why he said this, she tells him, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, they don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us,” (Lee 119). This quote illustrates Atticus’ strong sense of justice by teaching his children that it is never right to accuse, nor punish, something just because you can. This advice not only relates to the accusation of Tom Robinson, where because of his race and social position he is portrayed as guilty based off of the testimony of one person, but also shows that Atticus would never kill for sport, and in the case of the rabid dog, the animal is a risk to the entire neighborhood, and killing it is not an abuse of power, but a necessity.

How does Atticus’ quote about the innocence of a mockingbird relate to the title? Do you think that he’s comparing Tom Robinson to a mockingbird? If so, is he comparing the person who accused him to the dog?

Chapters 10-11 Why is it appropriate to kill a mad dog but not a mockingbird? (Nicholas Kolbas)

It is appropriate to kill a mad dog but not a mockingbird because of what Ms. Maudie said, "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do a single thing but sing their hears out for us" (pp 119). She is trying to explain how there is nothing not to love about mockingbirds for all they do for us is to appreciate; they sing and lift our hearts. Tim Johnson was a well loved pet of Maycomb, and like a mockingbird, was most likely a good dog that brought joy to the townspeople. However, Tim was old and Scout and Jem noticed he was acting strange. Although it was never said what disease the dog had, it can be accurately inferred the dog was dangerous and a threat to people by spreading the sickness. This means the dog was doing the opposite of goodness like a singing mockingbird, and therefore Atticus could shoot it without doing a sin. Even the mere description of the dog, sick, lopsided, reminding Scout of a car stuck in a sand-bed was intimidating and definitely not like the harmless mockingbird singing in the trees. Overall, it is okay to shoot the mad dog because of its frightening appearance, behaviors and sickness, but never a mockingbird that only sings and fills our hearts with joy.

Was it right for Atticus to shoot the dog, even if it is sick and acting weird?

Chapters 10-11 Why do you think Atticus never revealed he was an expert marksman?(Myles Nadeau-Davis(LeBron James))

I think Atticus never revealed that he was an expert marksman because he did not want his children, and the town to see him as the person he was, not the person who he is. The kids want to know about their dad, and they think he is boring. At the beginning of the chapter,  Scout says" Atticus was feeble:he was nearly fifty. When Jem and I asked him why he was so old, he said he got started late, which we felt reflected on his abilities and manliness(P118)", and that shows that his kids don't think of him as the super macho awesome dad. I think this shows that he wants to let the past stay in the past, and live his life in the moment. Towards the end of the chapter, a mad dog is coming down the street, and Atticus shoots it. When Atticus shoots the dog so quickly, Scout and Jem are surprised, and while Scout wants to brag Jem stops her. Think Jem realized what Atticus was trying to do by not telling them. The other adults in the neighborhood also don't mention this, instead talking about checkers and the Jewish harp. At the end Jem says that he is a real gentleman like his father, and says he must of had a reason to not mention it. I think this shows that this is an topic that is uncomfortable with his ability.

Question: Do you think Atticus should have spoken about this to Jem and Scout?

Chapters 8-9 How did Scout end up with a blanket across her shoulders? Why would Harper Lee include this moment in the book? (Ben Kohlberg)

       Scout ended up with a blanket on her shoulders because Boo (Nathan) Radley put it there when sneaking up on her. "'Someday maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up.' 'Thank who?' I asked.'  'Boo Radley.' (96 Lee) Harper Lee added this part of the book in to provide more details about Boo and to get the reader more intruded for when Boo Radley will finally show up.

 

       Throughout the book, Scout, Jem, and sometimes Dill have been constantly looking for this mysterious person, Nathan "Boo" Radley. He was accused of murder but never went to jail, however the 3 children don't think he is a very bad person. Boo has been leaving the children bread crumbs, like putting gifts in the tree hole, and fixing Jem's pants, but putting a blanket on Scout when she wasn't paying attention was the closest clue the kids have found to finding and proving Boo's innocence. Atticus Finch, Scout and Jem's father, always had a spot in his heart for the Radley's, but the rest of the town disliked them. The Radley's were known to be gloomy and crazy, but Atticus didn't think so.

 

      This is similar to the book "Of Mice and Men" when everyone thought Lennie was a scary monster, but he was just a kind person with some mental issues. I don't think Boo necessarily has mental issues, however I do think he is perceived badly but is a good person.

 

 

 

Do you think that Jem and Scout will ever see Boo face to face?

       

8-9 How did Scout end up with a blanket across her shoulders? Why would Harper Lee include this moment in the book? - Geoffrey Goose

     "'Someday maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up.'
     'Thank who?' I asked.
     'Boo Radley.' (96, Lee).
     When Scout, Atticus, and Jem are talking about the nights events, Atticus asks why Scout has a blanket that isn't hers. Scout ended up with a blanket around her shoulders because out of kindness, and selflessness, Boo Radley gave her a blanket to stay warm. Harper Lee would include this in the novel because it gives a side to Boo Radley that we haven't seen thus far. A side that isn't crazy, or vicious, but rather kind, sweet, and generous. Boo Radley reminds me of a Darth Vader like character. While that sounds sort of outrageous both of these character's started the story as hated, mean villains, and then become heroes. Despite starting the book as a feared villain, I think that Boo Radley will become a hero as the book progresses.  

What do you think Boo Radley's role will be as the book continues?

Chapters 8-9 - How did Scout end up with a blanket across her shoulders? Why would Harper Lee include this moment in the book? (Fiona)

So far, throughout the book, Boo Radley has been a background character, until this incident. When the fire breaks out at Miss Maudie’s house, Atticus tells Jem and Scout to wait by the Radley house, in front of the gate. When the fire is extinguished and everyone is safe and sound, Scout and Jem realize that someone has laid a brown blanket across their shoulders! Scout mentions to the reader, “I looked down, and found myself clutching a brown woolen blanket around my shoulders” (95). Atticus and Jem inform her that Boo was the one to drape the blanket across Scout and her brother’s shoulders. At first, Scout is very disgusted at the thought of wearing something that Boo owned. “My stomach turned to water and I nearly threw up when Jem held out the blanket” (96). Until this point in the story, Harper Lee has made it unclear as to whether or not Boo is a friendly, or evil-spirited character, but this incident certainly clears it up. If Harper Lee wanted to the reader to think that Boo had wanted to scare the kids, or trap them, then she would have had him tie them up in the blanket, or stand behind them until they notice him, and got scared, but that is not the case. Boo’s only intention was to try to make Scout and Jem warm when they were standing outside, waiting for the fire to be out, which is a very caring and thoughtful thing to do. Overall, Harper Lee’s reasoning for including this moment in the story was to clear up any ideas that maybe Boo Radley truly a shady, evil-spirited character.

Do you think that Scout or Jem realize that Boo is nice?

Gavin- 6-7 Why do the children play the Radley Game?" What does it reveal about them (Together and Individually)?

The children play the "Radley Game" to try and catch a glimpse of Boo Radley, but little did they know it would also help them discover things about themselves that they never knew. To catch a glimpse of him they snuck into the Radley's yard and looked through a broken shutter. While they were there they were caught by Mr.Radley and Mr. Radley shot at them with a shotgun because he thought it was a "negro". When trying to get away from him Jem lost his pants in the fence, which almost made them get caught. Because of this "game" Jem and Scout found out many things about themselves that they never knew. "Atticus ain't ever whipped me since I can remember. I wanta keep it that way" (Lee pg. 75). This quote shows that Jem does not want to disappoint Atticus and he always wants to keep him happy. "Jem and I first began to part company" (Lee pg. 75). This shows that Scout is now starting to feel distant from her brother and she feels like they don't get along like they used to. The "Radley Game" got the children in lots of trouble, but it also helped reveal things they didn't know prior to the "game" about themselves that they know now.

Chapters 6/7: Explain Jem's Statement: "When I went back they were folded across the fence... like they were expectin' me." (Ben Friedman)

When Jem tries to look at Arthur "Boo" Radley, he got stuck under the fence hole and his pants got ripped and left behind. Dill lied and said that he took them off of Jem in strip poker, so they would not get in trouble. When Jem goes back after the conversation with Atticus and Miss Rachel, his pants were folded across the fence and sewed poorly. He says that they looked as bad as if he were to do them. The only other person that could have sewn like that is Boo Radley. "Like somebody was readin' my mind... like somebody could tell what I was gonna do. Can't anybody tell what I'm gonna do lest they know me?" (Lee 78). Only Boo would know what Jem is going to do, because Boo has been watching Jem his whole life. This proves one example that Boo is really a nice person.

Do you think that Boo is really a nice person? Why or why not?

Chapter 6-7: What does it mean "It was then, I suppose, that Jem and I first began to part company." (Eve)

Throughout the book so far, it has been obvious that Jem and Scout have been very close.  They are brother and sister and they spend lots of time together, like when they play games with Dill or talk about the Radleys.  When Scout says, "It was then, I suppose, that Jem and I first began to part company." (75), what she means is that she is realizing that her relationship with her brother is growing less close. Even though she knows that they wouldn't always get along, she is now noticing that they disagree on almost everything.  One reason for this could be Dill.  Jem finally has someone to play with besides Scout and begins to shut her out.  She mentions “They spent days together in the treehouse plotting and planning, calling on me only when they needed a third party.” (55) This shows Jem and Dill were only using Scout when they needed her and often excluded her from their games. Another reason Scout and Jem's relationship is growing apart could be Jem wanting to fit in. Although they don’t say it in the book, Jem might think other kids might think he’s weird because Scout is younger or his sister or a girl.  He might think excluding her could be his solution to fitting in.  Scout hadn't realized how close they had been until they began to drift apart. She is trying to figure out what is happening with her relationship with her brother.

Do you think Jem realizes that he and Scout are growing apart?

Chapter 4/5: What can you infer about Miss Maudie’s character based on clues provided in the novel? (Stephen)

Miss Maudie is a kind, but eccentric old woman. It is easy to tell that she is a kind woman because Scout says “Miss Maudie’s benevolence extended to Jem and Dill…” (Lee 57). By saying benevolence, Scout says that Miss Maudie is a kind and generous person. It is clear by how she lets the Finches use her yard with very generous rules. Scout says “We could play on her lawn, eat her scuppernongs if we didn’t jump on the arbor, and explore her vast back lot. Terms so generous…” (Lee 56). Her eccentricity starts to show when it comes to the plants in her yard. She heavily dislikes nut grass, for no explained reason. Scout explained this when she said “If she found a blade of nut grass in her yard, it was like the Second Battle of the Marne.”  (Lee 57) Besides the small amount of eccentricity, Miss Maudie is a kind, and gentle old woman.