On their way to the pageant, Scout and Jem pass in front of the Radley's house and she remembers when they were younger. “We laughed. Haints, Hot Steams, incantations, secret signs, had vanished with our years as mist with sunrise.” (341) I found this simile effective because it discusses an important topic in the book which is how they've grown. They no longer have the same fears as before since they've matured and therefore realize how ridiculous these were.
I really like how the author added elements to create some tension which foreshadowed that something bad will happen which was the climax. First, in the previous chapter, Mr. Ewell intimidates Helen Robinson so Aunt Alexandra feels apprehensive as he seeks to take revenge on anyone involved
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Ewell since Scout had said that Jem had removed him from her. The sheriff, though argues that Mr. Ewell's death was accidental because he collapsed by his own on his knife. At first Atticus says that it's not necessary to pretend that Jem was innocent because he wants to set a good example for his children. “If this thing's hushed up it'll be a simple denial to Jem of the way I've tried to raise him. Sometimes I think I'm a total failure as a parent, but I'm all they've got. Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I've tried to live so I can look squarely back at him.” (366) However, he then realizes that he's actually covering up Boo Radley because it's actually him, not Jem who killed Mr. Ewell. Therefore, Atticus agrees to lie which Scout understands. This shows that she has matured since the beginning of the novel. Afterwards, Scout visits Jem with Boo Radley once more and then accompanies Boo to his house. This shows how she has progressed since she shows courtesy to the man who she once viewed as a monster and feared to even pass in front of his house. The book ends when Scout proceeds back to her brother's room and listens to Atticus read. She falls asleep so her father brings her to her room and he joins back Jem which reminds the reader that even though she went through so many events, has grown and learned tremendously about life, she's still a
"She had her own views about things, a lot different from mine, maybe.son, I told you that if you hadn't lost your head I'd have made you go read to her. I wanted you to see something about her-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" (128). Scout's change of maturity level is defined by a progression towards understanding Atticus' life lessons, which halt at the ending chapters of the book when Scout recognizes Boo Radley as a human being. After the night when Bob Ewell's life ends, Boo Radley exposes himself as a kindhearted man who Scout can relate with.
“Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119). [1]Mockingbirds are the most innocent type of bird and cannot defend themselves. [3] Occasionally people tried to mess with Boo Radly, who was a mockingbird because he was in his house defenseless. [5] While Tom Robertson was being tried and in prison he was an undeniably mockingbird. [4] Hurting Jem, Bob Ewell was punishing an innocient kid, who was defenseless. [2] Despite being a man, Bob Ewell, who is showed to be a blue jay, blue jays are birds that no one likes. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.”(119)[6] Mockingbirds don’t hurt anyone. [1] Boo Radly and Tom Robertson are mockingbirds
In Celia, A Slave, a slave named Celia was sent to court because she committed homicide. However, the murder was justified, because she was trying to defend herself from her slave owner, Robert Newsom, who was attempting to rape her once again. This time around, Celia attempted to protect herself by striking Newsom, just in order to daze him for a bit. She did not intend to kill the man, but simply keep him away from her. Unfortunately, in Missouri in 1850, the only person that would be protected by law would be the slave owner, when it came to the rape of a slave. The slave owner would be allowed to immediately punish a rapist for trespassing on their property, which in this case, would be the slave. Celia, A Slave is a story that
They have many misconceptions of people, places, and concerts in Maycomb county. However as they are young and don't really have opinions themselves. They abide by those presented them. At the start of the novel Scout and Jem see Mr. Arthur Radley or "Boo", as a dangerous, crazy, and rather isolated man. Although never being in his presence or in association with him they always make assumptions about him. They constantly pestered his household and played games that mocked him, "..time to play Boo's big scene...steal the scissors...Jem would fake plunge into Dill's thigh..."(LEE40).They also had the misconception that Boo was kept inside forcefully by his family. Boo was also blamed for unresolved events. As time goes by they mature and start to develop more of an understanding of Boo, "..I think I'm beginning to understand why Boo Radley's stayed shut up in his house all this time...he wants to stay inside"(LEE227). Jem develops an understanding as to why Boo Radley stays inside. It's not because his family forces him to stay inside. He realizes that when living in a town like Maycomb, there is an incredible amount of judgement and labeling that occurs. It becomes evident to him that Boo has no place and isn't welcomed into the society. Especially with having a stereotype "glued" to his identity. Scout then has an
Keeping a mouth shut doesn't hold the world shut out, it opens up new doors to things that would never be expected. In To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, there is are two character that is are an eternal mystery for the readers. Boo Radley, though the reader nor Scout and Jem know anything about the character all they want is to learn about him. Boo becomes a mysterious figure that many see as creepy, ghostly, but also reasonably wise. The one-time Boo appears the readers learn he is a sagacious, powerful man. Little do Scout and Jem know is that their father is also a rational being as well. The two crucial character in the story helps support the
The passage I have chosen is from the book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In this passage Atticus Finch is trying to teach his children, Scout and Jem, the real or his definition of the word courage. He is explaining to his children that courage is more than just men with guns. He says to not connect courage with fighting, but to associate it with standing up for what you believe in. It takes little character to point a gun and pull a trigger, but it takes a whole lot of courage to accept a difficult challenge in which you can ultimately be defeated in. It made me realize that courage goes beyond a physical act, it shows one's integrity and strength. I learned that a person is courageous when they follow their own beliefs and stick to
Near the exposition of the book when everything is wrapping up and all of the loose ends are being tied, a very important thing happens. Jem and Scout learn to accept Mr. Radley. This shows the utmost maturity in Jem and Scout because Mr. Radley, “Boo” was a major part of their childhood. When Arthur Radley was at the Finch’s, Scout asked him “You like to say goodnight to Jem, wouldn 't you, Mr. Arthur?”(318) One sign of maturity is Scout calling the character previously known as Boo, Mr. Arthur Radley. This signifies she has not only done away with the childish names, but other childish aspects that she has carried with her. Even though Jem is unconscious we know he is accepting of Boo because of Mr. Radley’s actions. The act that sealed their newfound friendship was when “Mr. Arthur 's hand came down lightly on Jem 's hair.”(319) This brief physical touch was a small motion, but a great achievement. It was a symbol that the children were growing and maturing. Jem and Scout had
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is an emblem of racial jurisdiction. All throughout the book it shows how the law applies to blacks as opposed to whites. Lee shows how unjust the treatment of blacks is and the disregard for their human rights. Though through the actions of the characters in the book; it can be said that their actions show a glimmer of hope for this very prejudiced society.
Boo Radley is thought to be a malevolent, soulless, deceitful person, but he proves to be a caring, good-natured person. In Chapter 1, Jem offers his perception of Boo Radley to Scout and Dill: " ‘Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained—if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off. There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time’ " (16). Jem perceives Boo Radley as being a “monster” instead of being a man. Jem comes to this conclusion despite having never even seen Boo Radley in person. Jem’s understanding of Boo Radley is based on the rumors that he has heard about him. In Chapter 8, after the fire at Miss Maudie’s house, Scout notices that she was wrapped in a blanket that she did not have with she left the house. Scout asks Atticus who was the person that put the blanket around her. Atticus tells Scout, "Boo Radley. You were so busy watching the fire you didn't know it when he...
Atticus, the father of Jem and Scout, was right when he said, ¨you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.¨ Scout realizes that Boo Radley is not who everyone rumors him out to be. Scout learns that you need to spend time with a person to find out who he truly is. She learns this after walking Boo Radley home after the disturbing experience the Finch kids had been in. Scout finally understood what life looked like from Boo Radley's perspective when she is standing with him on his front porch. Also, when Scout talks to Atticus at the end of the book he shows her how she has turned into a wonderful young lady. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee develops the theme that believing rumors will lead you to false assumptions unless you have walked in that person's shoes through imagery, characterization, and point of view.
Atticus teaches his children about empathy by getting them to consider how the other person feels. Atticus tells Scout, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”(39). Atticus displays empathy for Bob Ewell when Mr. Ewell spits in his face and threatens him. Atticus simply wipes his face with a handkerchief and continues on with his day. Jem becomes worried for Atticus thinking that Mr. Ewell will get him. Atticus tells Jem to think about how Mr. Ewell must feel “I destroyed his last shred of credibility…The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does”(292). Atticus’ reassurance helped Jem understand the situation better. Empathy is clearly demonstrated by Scout for Boo Radley in the final chapter when Scout walks her rescuer home. Scout standing on Boo Radley's porch provides her the perspective
Bob Ewell believes that Atticus is not a good man because he tries to stand up for Tom and the way he tries to get back at Atticus is by going after Jem and Scout on the way home from the pageant. “We were nearly to the road when I felt Jem’s hand leave me, felt him jerk backwards to the ground” (351). Jem and Scout were surprised by someone at a vulnerable time because it was dark and they were defenseless and taken by surprise.
The novel of To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the timeline and era of the 1930s which was synonymous for the renowned Great Depression. A tragedy in which social and economic change was urgently required yet old traditional beliefs and racial hierarchies including the Jim Crow laws were kept firm in position. These beliefs along with other aspects including behavior are clearly represented in the novel which leads the reader to infer that the time and setting of To Kill a Mockingbird is the 1930s. There are various methods and pieces of evidence that we draw upon that leads to the conclusion that the setting of the novel takes place in the
Jems naïve views are soon corrupted as he goes through experiences like with Boo Radley, but Jem manages to grow in strength as he sheds his pure qualities and learns to have hope. Jem and Scouts childhood friend Dill represents another killing of a mockingbird, as his innocence is destroyed during his trial experience. Scouts childish views dissipates as she witnesses different events in her life, and she grows in experience and maturity as she encounters racial prejudice, making her learn how to maintain her pure conscience that Atticus has developed without losing hope or becoming cynical. Harper Lee’s novel explores human morality, as she weaves the path from childhood to a more adult perspective, illustrating the evils in a corrupt world how to understand them without losing
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee shows a misunderstanding in society by demonstrating to us how society isn’t perfect. From a child’s point of view children incorporate misunderstanding by learning from their personal experience. I wasn’t aware of how bad our Earth was being destroyed. A similar event happened when Napoleon helped France and everyone thought that Napoleon was France’s savior but what France didn’t expect was that Napoleon had other ideas and was ambitious and planned on destroying cities and killing people in order to obtain power. Nowadays racism isn’t seen as much but people still discriminate and judge people by how they act, look or how economically stable people are.