Eagles are known for their awareness, flying high above and scanning the ground below. For this reason in the novel Looking For Alaska the dean of students at Culver Creek gained his nickname “The Eagle”. The Eagle is made out to be pure evil, but he is not. The Eagle is the exact opposite he does not have a bad bone in his body. The Eagle only gets involved in things if it will make the school a better and safer environment. Throughout the novel the Eagle never gets involved unless it could harm someone or thing. The Eagle was very good at controlling his anger when a student would screw up. When a few students got caught smoking, “The Eagle shook his head, and even though he must have been crazy mad, I swear to God he smiled” (Looking for Alaska pg.14). Even when the students provoked the Eagle he would not make their lives miserable, he would just discipline them for what they did and not make it personal. He also didn’t get too involved because it was not …show more content…
If this novel was told from a teacher's lens the Eagle would be viewed in a whole new way. The Eagle from a teacher’s point of view is primarily great with little to no evil in him whatsoever. When looking at this novel through a teacher’s point of view the Eagle is as nice as possible to the students. When Miles was wondering what the assembly was about the Eagle was the first one to notify him about Alaska, “I saw her, Miles. I talked to the police. It was instant. The steering wheel hit her chest. I'm so sorry” (Looking for Alaska pg.141). The Eagle is not out there to just punish students he is here to enforce the school policies and and help students achieve great goals. When the students were caught smoking he took into consideration their college hopes and “...even though he must have been crazy mad, I swear to God he smiled” (Looking for Alaska
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in Alabama in the 1930s, and concerns itself primarily with the interrelated themes of prejudice and empathy. These themes are explored as the story follows Scout Finch as she learns lessons in empathy, ultimately rejecting prejudice. While all characters in Lee’s novel learn from their experiences, not all are able to grow in the same manner as Scout. The idea of a positive role model, typified by the character of Atticus Finch, and the ramifications of its absence, is a concept that Lee places much emphasis on. The isolated setting is also pivotal in the development of characters. Lee uses the contrast between characters that learn lessons in empathy and compassion, and characters that cling to the ideals of a small town, to explore factors that nurture or diminish prejudice.
Scout always listening to the knowledge of her teachers when she was younger makes her innocent and naive. First, Scout’s constant obedience to her teachers and lack of retaliation for her beliefs express her naiveness: “Now tell your father not to teach you anymore. It’s best to begin reading with a fresh mind. You tell him I’ll take over from here and try to undo the damage...Your father does not know how to teach. You can have a seat now” (Lee 23). This quote expresses how Scout was belittled by her teacher for reading outside of school. This aggravates Scout, however she holds in her anger, like any child, and she is forced to sit down at the command of her teacher, Miss Caroline. Also, Scout couldn’t defend herself when she explained to
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper lee in 1960. The novel tells the story of Atticus Finch, a white lawyer, and Tom Robinson, a black servant, accused of raping a white female. Finch defends Robinson in court arguing lack of evidence as his main point. However, the judge and jury still believe the woman’s testimony and orders Robinson to be killed. The novel has been praised for its outstanding literature since its publication. However, it remains a banned book by the American Library Association for its use of racial slurs and profanity. Due to it being banned, many high schools have reconsidered the notion of teaching it to their students. Two prominent authors wrote articles pertaining to this piece of literature: Angela Shaw-Thornburg wrote an article on her re-reading of the novel and her opinions on it; while Malcom Gladwell wrote an article comparing Atticus Finch to a state governor liberalist, James Folsom, and the restraints of liberalism in the south. In addition, Rebecca Best contributes her thought on how the novel should be taught by introducing the idea of “the other.” Regardless of the modern day political arguments surrounding this piece of literature, this novel contains a large insight into the time period of the 1960s which is an influential topic that should be taught to young high school students.
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (p.90) Miss. Maudie, one of the main protagonists in To Kill a Mockingbird, warns the young girl Scout that mockingbirds should not to be killed or hunted down because they represent those who are kind and innocent. So, on a broader spectrum, the term “to kill a mockingbird” symbolizes cruel and improper behavior towards people with good hearts and intentions. In the town of Maycomb, unethical behaviors, such as prejudice and gossip, are most commonly used against the “mockingbirds”. Three of those “mockingbirds” that are featured in this novel are Arthur “Boo” Radley, Tom Robinson, and Atticus Finch. Due to the depiction of the mockingbird symbol in the novel, the reader understands the consequences that immoral attitudes have towards those who are innocent and kindhearted.
... situation you have to do what is right to you. Nobody should tell you what to do and how to do it. You have to stand up for what you believe in like Atticus did with the court case. He fought for everyone and never judged by race, color, or ethnicity. This story helps students see how life was back then and how discriminating people is not correct. The author really teaches the importance of how people should treat each other and how people can easily get hurt. Racism and segregation is a big thing and it needs to get changed. People need to stop judging and start seeing people for who they are. It is not right to do wrong in life, you have to stand strong, and start making a change in racism and separation. Students will see when reading this book the inspiration that flows out of it. To Kill a Mockingbird is the most influential book students will ever read.
“You never really understood a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around it.” Atticus Finch is a man of extreme integrity. He, as both a lawyer and a human being, stands up for his democratic beliefs and encourages his children to stand up for their own, though they may stand alone. Harper Lee showed how far respect went in To Kill a Mockingbird when Atticus defended Tom Robinson in his rape trial. He did not think twice about being ridiculed by th...
To begin with, Trout points out how quickly students are to be enraged by what they feel when shame is directed at them. He discusses how a student came towards him telling how insulted they were when he encouraged the fact by the end of his class his students would become better writers. Instead of taking the remark as a way to channel excitement of the course to keep students interested, they viewed it as an insult insinuating their writing needed to further improvement. I feel Trout was at no fault for his remark or how it made the student feel. The student is at school to learn, they are attending the class to improve themselves. So when
With the violence and racism of her community as a backdrop, Scout is forced to develop an understanding of the roles played by the influential people in her life: Calpurnia, Arthur Radley, and Atticus. Although these traumatic, adult experiences were difficult for young Scout to endure, she gains a deeper and more mature understanding of those important to her that will serve her for the rest of her life. Even though the most difficult challenges, one can perservre and
Alaska did not really have a name until she was seven years old, when she chose the name “Alaska.” She chose it because when she saw it on the globe, she decided she wanted to be like it when she grew up; big and far away from her home. She had a tragic childhood in which she felt overlooked. Taking “Alaska” as her name seemed like a way for her to redeem herself and turn her life around, shaping it around the meaning behind her name.
or something. The Indian from the hill has his cave up that road. The Eagle has nested
This is the National Bird of the United States of America. The Bald Eagle flies the highest of all birds. It can see its prey from one mile away. They have a 60 to 1 kill ratio. Their nests are usually 5 foot by 5 foot weighing approximately two tons. They have no other predators other than man. Their name comes from the Traditional Native Language; bald means white. The Native American tradition teaches that the Bald Eagle is a messenger. It carries the prayers of our humanness up to the Creator. It is believed that once a prayer has been delivered, a feather is released. That is why the eagle feather is so sacred. But when storms come, what do bald eagles do? Most people incorrectly believe the bald eagle will go to their nest. Bald eagles actually take off and fly above the storm. They open up their seven foot wing span and glide until the storm is over. How does this relate to humans struggling with their grief? Individuals will do everything they can to avoid dealing with their loss. They try to rise above it. I will keep busy. I will work 50 to 60 hours a week. I will drink three, four, or more beers to numb it away. In reality, nothing changes and the grief remains avoided and it does not go
Throughout history bears are used to symbolize strength, protection, and bravery because of their protective instincts and powerful bodies. In The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini, Baba is usually reference to the bear. He is a well-respected business man in Kabul. Baba is seen to be very moral and powerful. He lost his wife during the birth of his son, Amir which is easily bullied by the other children of the neighborhood, because he is too afraid to stand up to the other children. Baba worries that if Amir cannot handle himself as a child, he would not be able to handle himself as an adult. Baba is a very strong and powerful character, while Amir is often seen as cowardly and weak; so their relationships is not very strong because they are both so different. In the book Baba often resembles a bear because of his strength. Amir is different; he is usually seen as weak, but he begins to resemble a bear as he grows older. The author uses symbolism of the bear to emphasize the growth in Amir’s character and to show the resemblance between Amir and Baba.
To Kill a Mockingbird focuses on “Maycomb’s usual disease,” as a pivotal part of the book, but also shows that compassion and wisdom can exist in these most bleak areas. The prejudice and bigotry comes from the lack of knowledge of Maycomb, and their fear to change what they have grown up with. Pre-conceived ideas are the main reason that Maycomb is ignorant of black people as they are afraid what a change of those pre-conceived ideas will bring. Even so, compassion still exists, as Atticus is able to save Scout and Jem from the influence of ‘Maycomb’s usual disease.’ Wisdom is also embodied by Atticus, where his wisdom, which is not necessarily knowledge but life experience, is able to force him to do things which are right, shown in his reluctant shooting of the rabid dog.
Atticus I didn’t feel very well and didn’t think I'd go to school anymore if it was all right with him.” (Lee.39) Scout and Atticus have many fights about Scout going to school, for example this is a fight they had one night after school. Atticus and Scouts fights usually consist of Scout not wanting to go to school anymore, Scout would use Atticus as an example. Atticus didn’t have to public school, the fights would also consist of her classmates and what they say or do. Scout was still hung up on how much she hates school, she starts yelling at Atticus “I don’t have to go to school! I was bursting with a sudden thought. Burris Ewell, remember? He just goes to school the first day.” (Lee.40) Scout is having a fight with Atticus about how the Ewells bend the rules to fit around their work and needs. The Ewells bend the rules in a way like the finches did when Atticus was a little boy, the Finches would homeschool their kids unlike the Ewells who will have many first days of first grade. When it comes to teaching Scout about the blacks Atticus is almost like the mother of Margot Stern “The mother who taught me what I know of tenderness and
The birds show symbolism in more than one way throughout the text. As the soldiers are travelling from all over the world to fight for their countries in the war, the birds are similarly migrating for the change of seasons. The birds however, will all be returning, and many of the soldiers will never return home again. This is a very powerful message, which helps the reader to understand the loss and sorrow that is experienced through war.