Group+1

=​James, Nathan B, Dillin, Emily, Jessica=

Scout refers to herself and Jem as Boo's "children". What does this image suggest about how she has matured since the days when she played the Boo Radley game?

This shows that Scout has come to accept Boo as a normal person, even to the extent that she considers him almost family. Scout now knows that her imagination got the better of her as a child, and we begin to see that she is outgrowing that. -James

I agree with James, by referring to herself and Jem as Boo's children it shows how she has grown out of her childish beliefs of Boo being a terrible person who ate small animals. This is just one example of how much Scout has learned throughout the year and especially the summer, it shows how she is stating to get further away from childhood. Scout knows now that Boo has always looked out for her (like when he gave her a blanket when she was cold outside) so she considers him a good person, almost family, and erased her imaginary bad image of Boo. -Emily

I agree with both of you, Scout is maturing and this also shows that she is not scared of him anymore and that he is a really nice guy.- Nathan

Nathan makes a good point when he says that Boo is a nice guy. When Scout was younger, she believed wild things about Boo, but now she realizes that they are completely false. Aside from all the growing up she has done, Scout has learned a valuable lesson that many adults have not yet learned: you should verify everything you hear before believing it. - James 2010-05-16

I agree with James that Scout has learned a very good lesson about not believing everything you hear. When your a child you depend on others for certain information but as you get older you are able to make your own judgments and have your own opinion on things, like Scout now has for Boo. This shows how she has matured by accepting the fact that she was wrong in her assumptions of Boo and doesn't let what others have said about him interfere with her liking and befriending him. -Emily 2010-05-17

Atticus has a very different assumption about what happend to Mayella, do you think that he's explanation for Mayellas injury's is more logical then the Ewells story and why? What part will racism play in the decision of the jury? How would the situation be different if Tom was white?

Atticus and Tom's story is way more believable than the Ewells'. The Ewells' story doesn't make sense: why would Tom beat Mayella on the opposite side of her face? And why didn't Bob Ewell call the doctor? I think that Tom will be convicted, will lose the appeal, and be executed, because of his race. If he was white, though, I think the jury would acquit Tom immediately. There really is no case against him, and a modern court probably wouldn't even hear the trial. - James 2010-05-05

Atticus has a much more accurate explanation for Mayella's injury's because of tom robinson's injured left arm. he could not of hit her on the right side of her face and like James said why would Bob Ewell not call a doctor? if she had really been beaten by Tom he would of wanted a doctor. The decision of the jury will greatly be affected by racism because they could not let Tom free and say that a white man was wrong and Tom was right. That would simply never happen in those times. and if Tom was white he never would have been framed in the first place and there would not be a case. - Jessica 09-05

I agree with you both that this wouldn't even have been a case had Tom been white or had this situation occurred in modern time. Also it is very unbelievable that Tom would have been able to beat and rape Mayella being as his is disabled and can not use his left arm, Mayella is a 19 year old young woman who could have very easily held off a disabled man, had he attempted to violate her. Another important point Atticus brought up was why didn't Mr. Ewell call the doctor if she had been raped and beat by someone, any compassionate parent would have. I don't think Tom will be judged on the actual evidence or lack there of, i think he will be convicted and killed because of the color of his skin. Emily 05/09/10 5:45

Why do you think that white people were so cruel to black people back then? Do you think it was that they honestly believed whites were superior? I don't. I think they just had a good thing going for them and they wanted to maintain their power. -James 2010-05-10 14:45

I agree with James about wanting to maintaintheir power, I also think that white people were so cruel to black people because they are diffrent. They were also slaves a while back and maybe the black people just wern't givin all the rights as a white person had back then. -Nathan 05/10/10

Calpurnia's church is described in Chapter 12. What is unique about First Purchase Church. How did it get its name? What is ironic about how it is used on weekdays?

 First Purchase is unique as a church because not only is it the only one with a steeple and bell in all of Maycomb, it was the first thing that the freed slaves purchased after being released - hence the name. Its weekday use is ironic because in the 1930s (and to some extent today), gambling was frowned upon as evil and immoral, and many people believed it came from the devil itself! - James 28/04/10

As james said this church is unique because it is the only church in all Maycomb of with a steeple, also it was the first thing the slaves bought after being freed. And again like James mentioned it is ironic that First Purchase Church is used for gambling by white men during the week because gambling was suppose to be a terrible sin at this time. Another unique aspect of the church that sets it apart from Scouts and Jems church, is that they do not have any hymn books so the reverend sings out a line from their only hymn book and the congregation repeats it back to him. Scout seems very fascinated by this and really enjoys it. -Emily 02/05/10

Ms. Bourgaize, I just found my old entry after i finished doing the one above! I agree with James that the church is unique because it is the only church in Maycome with a steeple and a bell but Calpurnia’s church is also unique because they do not have any hymnbooks so they repeat the reverend after he sings on line. Like James had said the church was named because it was the first thing the slaves had bought when they were freed. And it is very ironic that this place where they praise God is used on the weekdays for white men tor gambling and drink, which is looked very down upon and consider sinning. -Emily 28/04/10

Also no one else has replayed so i have nothing more to add to my entry.. Emily.

Oh, I'd forgotten about the "lining" singing. I think that it's kind of strange that Scout and Jem are so amazed by that - it's not really that weird. I trhink that the "lining" method is more interesting than the "regular" one. -James 03/05/10

Yes i agree with james that the "lining" method would be a much more interesting way of singing in church, also i think it was very nice of everyone to help pitch in to donate money for Tom's wife and children because of the situation they are in. Even though colored people at this time had a very low income, they were still kind enough to give what they could over to help out there friends. -Emily 03/05/10

What effect does the looming Robinson trial have on the Finches' relations with their relatives and neighbours? Why might this situation be more difficult for Jem and Scout than for their father?

The Finches' relatives and neighbours are mostly old-fashioned conservative people. They likely do not approve of Atticus's actions, and throughout the novel they become more and more hostile towards the Finches. It is implied that some of the neighbours (for example Miss Maudie) are proud of what Atticus is doing, but it is not explicitly stated (at least not yet). I think that Jem and Scout struggle with this because Atticus can choose just to ignore insults, but his children sort of feel it is their duty to defend him. Aside from that, their father is more used to dealing with such abuse than they are. - James. 21/04/10

I agree with James and think that the people in the Finches’ neighbor hood are old-fashioned in their way of thinking and are not embracing the changes in society. Because of this confliction of opinions we are starting to see more and more tension between Atticus and his life long friends and neighbors. And like James said, some of the neighbors believe in what Atticus is doing like Miss Maudie, but from what we know she is one of the few people who feel this way at this moment in the novel. I believe this is more difficult for Jem and Scout because they are still young and don’t fully understand the situation. They have to face insults for their father and want more then anything to defend him, but it is hard for them to understand why people they thought were their friends would be acting the way they are towards them and Atticus. Atticus is a mature adult, who can handle rude remarks and verbal abuse, but his children aren’t used to suck actions and don’t handle them the same way, and example of this is when Scout beats up her cousin for the insult he made. -Emily 21/4/2010

The Finches relatives and neighbours dont agree with Atticus defending Tom Robinson because he is of different race. People in Maycomb start to get more and more unfriendly toward Atticus and the rest of the Finches, especially Bob Ewell. Atticus cares alot less of what people think of him, because of his age he is more mature and does not pay attention to most insults. Jem and Scout on the other hand are easily offended and react to the insults by starting fights or just being very angry and frustrated. -Jessica 22/4/2010

I agree with all of you guys, this just proves how much Jem and Scout are suporting their father. They dont understand what is going on but they are still taking verbal abuse for what he is doing.-Nathan 25/4/2010

I agree with what Jessica is saying about the Ewells. Although they've only been mentioned to this point in the novel, I can't help but think that they are going to be involved later on in some bigger way. There is even less information provided about the Ewells than about Boo Radley, though, so I can't say what way they'll be involved in. What do you guys think? - James 25/04/10

 I like how Nathan said “this just proves how much Jem and Scout are supporting their father”, because I wonder if they will ever second guess what their father is doing because of all the verbal abuse and strong opinion of their neighbors and friends. I hope that they don’t and that they continue to believe that what Atticus is doing is right, but for them at this age it must be very difficult to understand why people are being so rude and abusive towards them. Atticus is a mature adult who can handle the things people say to him, but I wonder how much Jem and Scout will be able to deal with without letting it get under their skin and doing something they might regret. An example of this is when Jem wrecks Mrs. Douboie’s flowers because of her insult. I hope that the looming Robinson trial dose not affect how Jem and Scout feel about their father and if anything that they become more proud of him. And as for James's question, i think the Ewells will have a much bigger role when the trial becomes closer. Emily 25/4/2010

I think Scout ends up getting punished because she is talking about another family's unfortunate situation in front of the entire class. This showes that Scout is not shy, and not afraid to say exactly whats on her mind. Also even though this situation might have been known to the entire town, for Miss. Caroline to hear another childs situation from Scout might make her think Scout was being very rude and out spoken for talking about another childs business. I think this shows that Miss Caroline might be well off durring this time because she is taken off guard when Scout tells her why the little boy will not take her quarter for lunch. For Scout this shows that she may not always think before she acts, but that she means well and is only trying to help. Emily 9:41, 4/14/2010

I agree with you, Emily. I think that Scout was just trying to help, but she probably would have been better off not saying anything to Miss Caroline in front of the whole class. Maybe she should have said something privately to her afterwards? -- James 18/04/10

I agree with Emily about Scout not being shy and she is only trying to help, I also agree with James about it would have been better to go and talk to Miss Caroline afterwards.-- Nathan 8:40 18/04/2010

I think your right James, but also that Scout maybe should have let the little boy explain himself to the teacher instead of her interferring, even though her intentions were good. This way i think she could have completly avoided getting into any trouble with miss Caroline. I find we are starting to see Scouts personality more and how she is not afriad to say what is on her mind, this characteristic might be what sometimes gets Scout into fights. Also that she only sees things (at the moment) from her point of veiw might contribute to her being a little violent. Emily 6:40 19/04/2010