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Post by Celeste Beihl on Jul 9, 2013 17:36:47 GMT -5
I think Scout didn't tell her dad what Francis had said because she was afraid Francis might tell her father she cursed at him and beat him up.
I agree that the aunt jumps to conclusions but you have to remember the time this is happening, bet i still dont like her. I do hope he wins the case to but it doesn't seem that he has a fair chance. i think its sad how as Jem grow up the maturity level between him Scout widens. and how the aunt is trying to change the way they live.
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Post by Claire Gallagher on Jul 9, 2013 19:17:20 GMT -5
I do agree with Emily about Chapter 9. It sounded to me like Aunt Alexandra and Francis were trying to defend their family name, but they went about it the wrong way. I feel like they should've supported Atticus's instead of talking bad about him. Like Kayla said I don't get why Scout didn't tell Atticus right away what Francis said. She should've told him, he probably wouldn't of been as strict.
I like the way that we learn more about Atticus in Chapter 10. I feel like when Scout learned more that she grew closer to her dad and she learned to understand why he did some of the things he did. It seemed to me like nobody truly cared that Mrs. Dubose died, even though she was mean I feel like they should've cared more. I don't understand why she gave Jem a flower, I hope we figure out why later on in the book.
I like that in Chapter 12 we got to hear more about Calpurnia and how she lived. I liked how they didn't have any books in her church and how the book explained how Jem and Scout felt about that. I feel like the old women didn't know who they were personally but I think she just heard their story.
I was surprised when Aunt Alexandra came to live with them. I feel like Atticus was against it but he didn't want t speak up and say it. She seems to be really mean to them. I hope Atticus stands up to her later on in the book.
I hope Atticus wins the trial although the way everyone seems to talk it doesn't seem like he will. This trial seems to put Atticus and his entire family in danger. I feel like if he loses the case it won't matter too much because everyone seems to hate him anyway. If they win the case then I think the town will hate him even more.
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Post by Emily Michalak on Jul 16, 2013 18:30:19 GMT -5
This has been my favorite section we have read so far of To Kill A Mockingbird. The trial and all of its testimonies were so interesting I could not put it down! I definitely thought Atticus and Tom would win the case after finding out Mr. Ewell did not have a doctor look at Mayella and that Mayella's and Mr. Ewell's stories didn't match very well, but then I had to remember what time period this book was set in, 1935. Tom and Atticus probably had a small chance of winning the case, but I still wanted them to win.
I also thought during the trial, Jem's and Scout's maturity levels were shown. Jem was able to follow the trial easily and didn't want to be interrupted while Scout had gotten lost a few times and asked questions. I felt bad for Scout and Jem having to leave the courthouse and having to eat with Aunt Alexandra. I was afraid we were going to miss something that happened at the courthouse with Scout being the narrator. Luckily, they didn't miss anything.
I was not surprised that Tom was convicted guilty but a little disappointed. The Ewell's testimonies were not enough evidence to convict him, but there's nothing I can do. I can't believe Tom was killed in prison trying to escape! I was not expecting it at all. Tom also had a good chance of getting out of jail, but now he won't be out of jail or alive.
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Post by Kayla Gallagher on Jul 16, 2013 21:30:16 GMT -5
I really loved reading this part of the book. It was really interesting and the trial was very unpredictable. It was amazing the way Atticus found out what had really happened. I was a little shocked by the courts decision but I kind of expected it the way everyone was acting about the court. I was very surprised that Atticus wasn't more upset about the courts decision. If I were him I would have been very shocked and upset, but he seemed to kind of let it go and move on with his life. Jem was more upset about it than Atticus was. The only thing that I didn't like about this book was the fact that there were so many names to remember. I couldn't keep up with who was who and who had done what. However, I still liked how much detail that the book went into when talking about the court. It helped a lot to explain about what was going on.
When Tom died I thought that it was eventually going to happen. He was stupid to try and escape though. He should of just stayed in the prison and maybe he would have lived. I think that this is going to cause a lot of commotion in the town. I think that the town will kind of become off balance and will not be sure how to react to Tom being killed.
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Post by Claire Gallagher on Jul 16, 2013 22:04:00 GMT -5
I agree that this section of the book was really interesting. I liked it how Scout seemed to explain how she felt about the trial and about what was going on. I however did not think Atticus would win. Even though he should've won I had a feeling they wouldn't just because of the racial things going on in the book before. Atticus didn't seem too shocked by the outcome though. I wonder what would've happened if the had won. Would everything of gone back to normal? Or would people have started treating Atticus and his family worse?
During the trial I did have trouble keeping up with who was who. I got really confused at times trying to figure out who did what. But other than that I really enjoyed the trial. I especially liked it when Scout and Dill were talking to Mr. Raymond and I like how he explained how he wasn't such a bad guy. Jem seemed very upset when they lost the case, more upset than Atticus.
Atticus seemed to sense they were going to lose so I feel like he had known how to react. Jem had it set in his mind that they were going to win so it seemed to shock him when they didn't. I was really sad and shocked when Tom died. He seemed to want to risk everything to get free and he did just that. He didn't listen when Atticus tried to tell him he still had a chance. I think he was so upset that he lost the case that he just went ballistic. I wonder how everyones going to react when they find out.
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Post by Celeste Beihl on Jul 16, 2013 22:10:21 GMT -5
I enjoyed this part as well. It was strange that no one had look in to the case more before hand, but this would be common at the time because of his race. But I like how Atticus look into it. I don’t like how they would lie about such a serious matter  . It was kind of sad how they had to see their father all disheveled and how it affected Jem mentally  . I don’t like Miss Stephanie. I will agree there are to many names to remember but the character are still very individual and well supported. I also think that the town has been offset by what has happened through out the book and has really change since the beginning. I still like this book though. 
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Post by Lydia Sorrels on Jul 16, 2013 23:39:57 GMT -5
This part of the book demonstrated more clearly how wise Atticus is. It was amazing to read as the events in the courtroom unfolded how Atticus kept his cool, even under great duress. I think it's especially significant to note that the kids watched everything from the balcony where the black people were supposed to watch. They apparently didn't think twice about it, but it must have had some effect on those that saw them: the children of Atticus Finch watching him defend Tom Robinson from the "colored" balcony.
I think it was to be expected that Atticus would lose this case, especially since before everything happened he told them he would. Back then, for Tom to be acquitted would have created too much of a stir, even with the mountains of evidence.
I think Jem was so upset because he grew up believing in Atticus as his hero. When his father was defeated, Jem's belief in him was deeply shaken. I think it was a major milestone in his progression as a young person, because it showed how Atticus persevered and demonstrated his own definition of true courage (keeping on doing what he believes is right even though he knows he's already lost). Scout doesn't quite understand the enormity of what's going on, and she's so young that this type of thing won't affect her as much. I think that's why she is the narrator: Scout's accounts of what happened would be untainted by personal feelings because she was so innocent.
I think one last thing is very important: when Scout single-handedly dispersed a mob. Those men were ready to push Atticus aside and so some serious harm to Tom. Scout unknowingly accessed a deeper part of Mr. Cunningham that ran much deeper that his racial opinions: his love for his kids. Scout's innocent attempt at conversation showed Mr. Cunningham that his behavior whether he acted violently or not would rebound on Walter, because already he can see that Scout has been pulled into Atticus's shame. If Scout had been a little older, I think she would have been terrified of the mob like Jem.
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Post by Emily Michalak on Jul 21, 2013 23:09:55 GMT -5
I'm gonna be busy with volleyball over the next few days, so I'm just gonna post now. I'm so glad I chose to read this book this summer. It has a great story and great morals, and I couldn't put it down once I got into it.
The town's reaction to Tom's death was what I expected: it was gonna spread like fire but not have that much effect on them.
I also liked when in chapter 26, they mentioned WWII, my favorite period in history to study, and how prejudice against the Jews seemed so wrong, but they are prejudice against the African Americans in their community everyday. It made me wonder about how my actions could make me sound like a hypocrite.
I honestly did not expect Bob Ewell to get back at Atticus by going after Scout and Jem, but it would make sense to. If he really wanted to affect Atticus majorly, he would go after the most important thing he has: his children. It is sad that someone had to die, but I'm glad that Scout and Jem are safe.
As I got closer to the end of the book, I began to forget about what a big part Boo Radley was in the beginning of the book with Jem and Scout's maturity. Then when they were in Jem's room saying a man just stood in the corner, I figured it had to be Boo that saved Scout and Jem. I'm also glad it was Boo Radley that saved Jem and Scout, because it tied up all the loose ends in the book. I couldn't have thought of a better way to end the book.
What did you guys think the the title, To Kill A Mockingbird, meant? In the beginning of the book, I remember Atticus saying, "It is a sin to kill a mockingbird." He said this because they are beautiful creatures and they sing to the town, and why would anyone want to kill such a beautiful thing? I think the title relates to to killing human beings also. It is a sin to kill other people like it would be a sin to kill a mockingbird. We are all made in the image and likeness of God, which makes us all beautiful. Why would we kill something so beautiful? Scout also references the title on page 256. She says Mr. Ewell falling on his knife was like shooting a mockingbird, a sin.
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Post by Kayla Gallagher on Jul 23, 2013 20:44:25 GMT -5
I am so glad that I joined this group and read this book. It was so good and I couldn't put it down. I thought that the towns reaction to Tom's death was not made as big of a deal as I thought it was going to be. I thought that the town would make a big deal of the fact that Tom had gotten shot. I think that the reason that the town didn't make a big deal out of his death was because many black people got killed in prison. I think that if the story was set closer to period of today then the town would have made a much bigger deal out of Tom's death.
I didn't like how they only talked about Radley in the beginning a lot but only a little towards the end. I wish that they would have like put more about him towards the middle. I feel like it kind of made me forget what was going on and I was having to go back to the beginning of the book to figure it out.
That being said I still really liked the book and found it extremely interesting. I loved the beginning as much as I loved the ending.
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Post by Lydia Sorrels on Jul 23, 2013 22:01:09 GMT -5
I think the underlying theme in this novel is summed up in what Atticus said, it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. It was a sin that the town attacked Tom Robinson. All he had done for his entire life was serve other people, as he had been doing when he was convicted of rape by Mayella. It was a sin for the Ewells to lie about that. Because of what they did, Tom was dead before he left the courtroom and thanks to some cold prejudice of the town. I believe Tom knew this, and he also was aware that there was no way to escape prison. He intentionally ran off in plain view of the guards. I think it was highly unethical for them to shoot him, by the way, he wasn't endangering anyone. In a different way, it was a sin for the town to have negative opinions about Boo Radley and his family. Boo obviously had issues of his own, but as Atticus would say no one knows the truth about someone until they've walked around in his skin, lived his life. I think what
I think it's important to note that Bob Ewell didn't just happen to "fall on his knife". He was stabbed by Boo Radley. Boo figured the kids would be in danger after all that had happened and kept himself on the lookout for them. He saw that Mr. Ewell was attacking them, and went to help. It was indeed Boo Radley that killed Mr. Ewell, and Mr. Heck Tate and Atticus were having such a hard time because they were attempting to make the story sound as if the whole thing was an accident. If they had implicated Boo it would have probably been very arduous for him because he had lived his whole life in seclusion because he was shy. To have a case of manslaughter or even simple self-defense thrust on him would have broken his mind. So, in order to not have another incident turn the town inside out, Heck Tate just said Mr. Ewell died by simple mindless accident.
Scout, in the end, realized that Boo had always been their neighbor, and she should have treated him as such. He gave them gifts, warmth, and even life-saving sacrifices, and the most she was able to do was walk him home. When she stood on his porch and saw everything from his perspective, she understood how he felt about everything.
The last page was perfect. It tied together the whole book. Atticus said that most people are actually nice once you can get to know them, and that's very true. Most are, some are not. Nobody is born evil, it's just their decisions that show their true colors. Also, everyone is capable of changing themselves. Like Boo Radley, when he finally showed himself to Scout.
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Post by Claire Gallagher on Jul 23, 2013 23:35:01 GMT -5
I loved this book and I'm glad I got to read it. A lot happened in these last few chapters. I liked reading the end and how it seemed to all come together. I thought the town would reacted more to Tom's death. They seemed to care but the didn't care the way I thought they would. Like Emily I as well liked how they talked about HItler and the Jews. I liked how it was told from Scouts perspective on the subject but the teacher really explained the topic. I thought it was really cool that Atticus thought it was wrong to hate anyone considering how much hate he's gotten throughout the book.
I was very shocked that Bob went after the children. I thought he was going to attack Atticus and I feel like Atticus did too, thats why he wasn't too worried about it. I like how Boo came to help them and I wonder what would've happened if he didn't. Would Bob have killed Scout and Jem? Or would he just try to hurt them? It is pretty sad that Bob had to die but he did seem like a really big threat to everyone so I'm glad now that everyone is safe. I feel that Lee didn't bring Boo back into the book for a reason. I think he wanted to explain how Scout grew up and as she did she seemed to mature. I do like how he came back into the book in the end though and that Scout finally got to meet him.
The whole book seemed to come together in the last chapter. All of the pieces finally fell into place. It explained how it is wrong to kill a mockingbird just like it is wrong to kill people. Especially if they haven't done anything wrong. Maycomb wasn't very open to changes, they seemed to want to hide everything that went wrong. And when they couldn't hide it any longer everything became hectic.I liked how it incorporated the title into the end of the book. It seemed to help everything make sense. I really enjoyed this book although some things were a little confusing, it all seemed to come together in the end.
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Post by Jordan Darrow on Jul 26, 2013 0:33:37 GMT -5
Well I guess that my posts didn't go through because they are obviously not here.... Anyways I'll start with my last couple discussions all in one. I have to say this had to have been my favorite part of the whole entire book. Poor Jem. Thank goodness all he got was a broken arm. Honestly, it would be really scary to be in that situation where somebody, in this case, Mr Ewell, wanted to kill you. I also thought it was super awesome how they tied Boo back into the story, and actually showed that he was a good person, and not as they had judged them before. I feel that Aunt Alexandra turned out to be very good for Scout. In the beginning, I was very shocked that she actually came to stay with them, and even left her own family. I guess she really wanted to do it for her brother. I feel very proud of Atticus. No matter what happens to him in trial, or what people say about him, he always hopes for the best. I would be very hurt if my family said disgraceful things about me. Personally, I wasn't surprised when Tom was killed. If he was declared guilty for some crime he was clearly innocent of, it's likely that most people will go crazy. I very much enjoyed this book. Now I know why they call this book a classic.
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Post by katiemaupin on Jul 26, 2013 22:15:38 GMT -5
Sorry I'm late :/ I have been in Hawaii for the past few weeks, and just got back two days ago and arrived with strep throat  But I think that it's interesting how they tie in aspects of the culture of the time the book is set it, such as talking about Nazi Germany in the 26th chapter, and racism when Atticus is treated badly for defending Tom. I felt really badly for Tom, he had been such a good person his entire life and was being harassed by basically everyone he knew for something he hadn't done. I was really surprised, but very glad, when Atticus won the case. I was also really surprised when Bob chose to get back at Atticus by attacking Jem and Scout. I think that shows how twisted this man is. He not only tries to convict Tom, but as revenge for losing goes after children. I'm glad Boo helped them, but wasn't really expecting it. I don't know why I wasn't but I was worried for the children because I honestly had no idea what they would have done without him. I also agree with Lydia that it's important to know that Boo did kill Bob to protect the kids, and that he didn't "fall on his knife". The last bit of the book was great, because it taught a lesson and tied everything together. It says that a sin is a sin, no matter how large. Weather it's a bird, or a man, it's a sin to kill anyone. |
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. It was kind of sad how they had to see their father all disheveled and how it affected Jem mentally 
. I don’t like Miss Stephanie. I will agree there are to many names to remember but the character are still very individual and well supported. I also think that the town has been offset by what has happened through out the book and has really change since the beginning. I still like this book though. 
But I think that it's interesting how they tie in aspects of the culture of the time the book is set it, such as talking about Nazi Germany in the 26th chapter, and racism when Atticus is treated badly for defending Tom. I felt really badly for Tom, he had been such a good person his entire life and was being harassed by basically everyone he knew for something he hadn't done. I was really surprised, but very glad, when Atticus won the case. I was also really surprised when Bob chose to get back at Atticus by attacking Jem and Scout. I think that shows how twisted this man is. He not only tries to convict Tom, but as revenge for losing goes after children. I'm glad Boo helped them, but wasn't really expecting it. I don't know why I wasn't but I was worried for the children because I honestly had no idea what they would have done without him. I also agree with Lydia that it's important to know that Boo did kill Bob to protect the kids, and that he didn't "fall on his knife". The last bit of the book was great, because it taught a lesson and tied everything together. It says that a sin is a sin, no matter how large. Weather it's a bird, or a man, it's a sin to kill anyone.