Chapter 11 How does Atticus advise Jem to react to Mrs. Dubose’s taunts? Atticus says to Jem, “You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it’s your job not to let her make you mad.” (pg 111) What does Mrs. Dubose say about the children’s mother? How does Jem feel about this? Mrs. Dubose said that, “… it was heartbreaking the way Atticus Finch let her (their mother’s) children run wild.” (pg 111) Jem obviously didn’t like this and the novel describes his expression as “livid”. What request does Mrs. Dubose make of Jem? Is this a fair punishment for his ‘crime’? Mrs. Dubose asks that Jem reads to her every day for a month. I think this is a fair punishment because he ruined some of her joy- he should do something to make up for it. Explain in your own words what Atticus thinks of insults like ‘nigger-lover’. How far do you agree with him? Atticus thinks that the name has no meaning. He thinks he shouldn’t take it as an insult because it’s simply a derogatory description of what he really is. I do agree with him, but it’s still insulting, even if it’s true. Why, in Atticus’ view, was Mrs. Dubose a ‘great lady’? Atticus thinks that Mrs. Dubose was a ‘great lady’ because she didn’t mindlessly accept the views of others and had her own opinions- even if they didn’t correspond with his own. Atticus says that Mrs. Dubose is a model of real courage rather than ‘a man with a gun in his hand’. What does he mean? Do you think he’s right? Mrs. Dubose was a ‘model of real courage’ because she confronted her problems herself and didn’t hide behind anyone else. I think he’s right because she definitely got over her morphine addiction and didn’t complain. Chapters ten and eleven are the last two ... ... middle of paper ... ... verdict to be? Does Atticus think the same? Jem expects that Tom Robinson will be declared ‘innocent’, but Atticus doesn’t want to be too optimistic. What is unusual about how long it takes the jury to reach a verdict? Is the verdict predictable or not? It unusual that it takes the jury so long to reach a verdict because normally the black person would have been immediately announced guilty. Because of Atticus’ convincing case, it was taking them much longer to decide, and the verdict was quite unpredictable. As Scout waits for the verdict, she thinks of earlier events. What are these and how do they remind us of the novel’s central themes? While Scout waits, she remembers what Jem had told her about the power of human concentration, which can suggest how she and many of the other characters in this novel have the power to change what happens, even slightly.
Atticus uses ethos to challenge the jury’s pre-existing minds about race. Atticus declares, “I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family. In the name of God, do your duty.” Atticus attempts to make one last plea to the jury to find Tom Robinson innocent of the crime. Atticus is trying to tell the jury that this case is no longer just about freeing his client, but to stand up for truth and humanity. Atticus is emotionally attached to the case
In his introduction, Atticus cautions the jury to be objective in their verdict, reminding them the doctrine of presumed innocence. He explains, “Gentlemen, I shall be brief, but I would like to use my remaining time with you to remind you that this case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute sifting of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant.” His use of the word “but” is cautionary, warning the jurors that there is no place for personal bias in the court and highlighting their legal obligation. Additionally, he employs an impassioned voice in his emotional appeal, drawing attention to the ethical question of the trial. When he states, “This case is as simple as black and white,” he acknowledges the ideological nature of it, expressing distaste for the racial prejudice that brought Tom Robinson under the court’s gaze.
When Atticus discovered what Jem had done, he was furious and punished him by making him go read to Mrs. Dubose everyday. He knew, though, in his heart that she had it coming. Atticus had told Scout that "when summer comes you'll have to keep your head about far worse things it's not fair for you and Jem, but
Lee uses Scout and Jem’s tumultuous childhood experiences to... has had many trials through her life, and on was in fact a trail of Tom Robinson, a black man accused in raping Mayella Ewell, one of the daughters of Bob Ewell, the town’s idler. Atticus, the children’s father, was defending Tom Robinson, and the case seemed to be in favor of him, all the way to the point of Jem stating, “He’s not leaning, Reverend, but don’t fret, we’ve won it..Don’t see how any jury could convict on what we heard-”(Lee 176). Jem is very confident in his father’s argument, and believes that the case will lean to Tom,
They begin to understand how judgemental people are and how it affects their views on others. With this information, Scout and Jem learn to decide what they believe according to evidence and facts. For example, while they are watching the case, Jem thinks that Atticus is winning, however from Scout’s point of view it says, “I didn’t think so: Atticus was trying to show, it seemed to me, that Mr. Ewell could have beaten up Mayella.
He tells Scout that “you never really understand someone until you consider their point of view” and that if she does “[she will] get along a lot better with all kinds of folks” (Lee 39). This quote shows his kindness, because it displays that he is always trying to look at the other’s point of view. This validates his kindness, since he takes the effort to not offend people. In the eleventh chapter of “To Kill a Mockingbird” Mrs. Lafayette Dubose, an old lady living in the Finch’s neighborhood, insults Scout and Jem whenever they pass by. After one of these incidents, Atticus just tells her that she “[looks] like a picture” (Lee 133).
Jem displays values like compassion and tolerance by believing that all men are created equal no matter which race, religion, or attitude they have. He shows this when he hears the verdict of Tom Robinson's trial. 'It was Jem's turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. 'It ain't right,' he muttered, all the way to the corner of the square where we found Atticus'; (212). This is the first time he realizes that there was injustice in the world. He slowly matures and begins to understand that there are such thing as prejudice and racism.
“As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash” (Atticus) chapter 23.
Throughout the time approaching the trial, Atticus is commonly called a, “N****r Lover.” Mrs. Dubose even says, “Yes indeed, what has this world come to when a Finch goes against his raising? I'll tell you! Your father's no better than the n****rs and trash he works for” (Lee 135). This quote shows the strong hatred that the citizens have toward the Negroes and anyone who supports them. They have this strong hatred for the Negroes for no real reason other than their skin color. Scout realizes what is going on with the racist remarks and cruel comments, but can not understand how one human could be so mean to another. However, the evils related to race are not the only evils that Scout experiences during the
In addition, Tom Robinson is a black man who was accused of raping 19 year old Mayella Ewell. Atticus Finch bravely and courageously took on the case even though he got the idea that it would take a miracle to win. By taking on the Tom Robinson case, it proved that Atticus was not a follower which separated himself from the rest of the town. During the trial, Atticus says, “Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal.” (Lee 274). Atticus is referring to his beliefs and how they are legitimate. He stands up for righteousness and justice rather than the majority. Additionally, Atticus believes that violence is not the appropriate answer. He wants his children to keep their fists down and heads up in every situation they encounter. In other words, the event with Mrs. Dubose was very meaningful. Mrs. Dubose is an old lady who lives two doors up the street from the Finch 's house. Atticus ' son, Jem destroyed Mrs. Dubose 's flowers because she had said disrespectful things about Atticus which brought out Jem 's anger. Even though Atticus was very upset, he does not believe violence is the appropriate
In To Kill A Mockingbird Mrs.Dubose was on her deathbed when she decided she would endure all the pain her disease would bring her because she wanted to die with dignity and respect as a result Atticus Finch said these words about Mrs. Dubose “One of the strongest people
First, he is mocked at school and around town by kids because their father, Atticus Finch, is defending Tom Robinson. Even adults mistreat him, such as Mrs. Dubose, who says during her routine attack, “‘Yes indeed, what has this world come to when a Finch goes against his raising. . .Your father’s no better than the. . .trash he works for” (135)! Although this nastiness is the usual for Mrs. Dubose, this is out of the ordinary for her; she will say things about Scout and Jem, but never about Atticus. Jem usually minds his own business, as Atticus tells him to do, but now Jem is being targeted for something he is impotent to, making him a mockingbird. Next, he loses his innocence about the world from the trial, believing that Tom will be treated fairly, and Atticus will ‘save the day’. When he learns the verdict of the jury, Jem is indignant at the actions of the court. He always believed that the court was a place of fair trial and was sure that the case would end in Tom’s favor; even whispering,” ‘We’ve got him” (238) when Mr. Ewell testifies. But when Tom is found guilty, Jem realizes something about Maycomb and the world, later confessing to Miss Maudie that, “It’s like bein’ a caterpillar in a cocoon, that’s what it is. . .Like somethin’ asleep wrapped up
Jem Finch demonstrates growing maturity throughout the novel. After Tom Robinson’s trial, Scout reveals Jem’s feelings. “It was Jem’s turn to cry.” Scout uncovers, “His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd,” (TKAM 284). Jem understands the trial is not fair because of race. He is mature enough to realize this while Scout is not. Another example of Jem’s maturity is exemplified when he is fulfilling his obligation to read to Mrs. Dubose. Scout describes, “ ‘So you brought that dirty little sister of yours did you?’ was her greeting… ‘My sister ain’t dirty and I ain’t scared of you’, although I noticed his knees shaking,” (TKAM 141). Rather than Jem replying to Mrs. Dubose with an insult, he dismisses her comment. Furthermore, this showcases his patience and tolerance, which comes with maturity. Finally, Jem validates his maturity when the Finch children find Dill under Scout’s bed. “You oughta let your mother know where you are.” announced Jem, “You oughta let her know you are here…”(TKAM 187). At this point Jem knows the right way to handle this situation is to let an adult know where Dill is. Even though Scout believes she can keep him under her bed forever, Jem recognizes the reality. When Jem’s maturity is put to the test he demonstrates good judgment and decision-making.
Although Atticus was not always upfront and obvious with his lessons, he has taught Jem and Scout many valuable life teachings throughout To Kill a Mockingbird. The first lesson he has taught Jem and Scout is the what real courage looks like. After Jem loses his head and destroys Mrs. Dubose’s camellias he is told to go to Mrs. Dubose’s house everyday and read to her for a few hours everyday for a month. Jem ends up actually reading to her for more than a month, which makes him a bit angry. Eventually his job of reading to her is over, and he goes back to his normal schedule. One day Atticus is called to the Dubose house and it is revealed that Mrs. Dubose has died. Atticus is telling his children just how brave Mrs. Dubose was, and that she
He learns this when he first found out that Atticus is in a court trial, defending a black man named Tom Robinson. Jem most clearly learns this when Atticus says “I’m defending a black man in trial named Tom Robinson” (133). From this experience, Jem is able to realize that his family is going to go through some tough times, with all of the trials going on. He realizes that he needs to step up and learn what real courage is to get through these tough times.