Group+10

=Kayla, Alison, Jenna, Alex, Erin= As we end the book To Kill A Mocking Bird, what is your opinon on the way the children react to Tom Robinsons trial? Why do you think they reacted this way? Erin  I have no further comments on the novel and this situation, however, we just watched this portion of the film in class today. When I watched it, I felt that the children didn't react as strongly as the do in the ook, or maybe it was just peception. I also didn't expect many things that were shown and acted out in the movie. For example, I didn't expect Mayella to be so awkward and fierce. Nor did i expect the kids to be so quiet and reserved up with the African American population of the town. I felt that Jem and Scout's reactions throughout the whole film, not just the trial, we completely diverse from the ones in the novel. They seemed to have the general overview, but they ever seemed to hit the spot when t came to that. Alison 19/05/10 11pm

I've been thinking a lot, and although I highly agree with everything that is said here, I can't help but picture how the novel would have turned out if Tom was White and the jury all black. Would things have ended differently or the same way for Tom considering his prosecution was mainly based on race? Or do you think that the punishment would have been just as harsh seeing that a black jury may be just a prejudice as the white? I think Tom would have been looked down upon just as much in that situation, however, had a lighter punishment. Sometimes innocence has nothing to do with the matter. Alison 16/05/10 - 10pm

I also agree with everything that is said here. Jem and Scout were both highly frustrated with all the rasism it seemed. They are both young children and do not see a difference in a person just by the color of their skin or where they come from. They reacted the way they did, I think, because both of the children neglected to go along with most of Maycomb and consider Tom Robinsion guilty, they believed he was innocent. - Kayla

I agree with everything that is said here. They act reasonable for the situation they were put in. I can understand the anger towards the town of Maycomb for finding Tom Robison guilty when he was more than obviously innocent. Jenna

I Agree with how Jem and Scout reacted to the verdict of Toms trial. He was definetly inoscent but the people of Maycomb prejudiced him due to his race. Jem and Scout were very frustrated due to this.Alex

I agree with both girls, children do not notice the difference in people nor do they care. They listen with their ears, and judge with what is told to them, they don't see differences and don't judge by seeing. I believe the children reacted in a normal way, they were fustrated because they knew and everyone knew he was not guilty. Erin

I believe Jem and Scout reacted how we would all act in that situation. Even though they saw the truth in Tom Robinson's innocence not everyone did. They wanted more out of the jury, and wanted a honest verdict which was not recieved unfortunately. Jenna

I think both Jem and Scout reacted as one should in that position, with disbelief, sadness, anger. They knew the truth, that Tom Robinson didn't do it; which in my opinion makes it worse because it's hard to understand why the jury would give him the death penalty. Children tend to look at the world through rose coloured glasses, they see no difference between black or white, they see human. Jem and Scout react to the unfairness of the situation, but I don't think they fully understood the reason for Tom's prosecution. Alison 12/05/2010 10pm

Racism plays a large role in the novel. Do you think Tom Robinson recevied a fair trial? Explain. Do you think the jury based their decision on race? Alex

I agree with everyone on how Tom did not receive a fair trial. He was definatly discriminated due to his race and anything the Bob Ewell said everyone seemed to believe him except for Atticus. Given the evidence, Tom should have been inoscent but the jury founded him guilty due to his race. Alex

I also think it was Bob Ewell, because like Erin said, all evidence points to him. I also think that many believed it was Bob, but just went on with the Tom Robinson case because nobody wants to believe that someone white is capable of such a thing. I think it is lso pointed out when Mayella is questioned about her father and how he treats her. Alison May9 11:45pm

I have to agree with what Erin said, all the evidence points to Bob Ewell because when Mayella was asked "Does your father hurt you?" she stummered and looked at her father, who gave her a look that said "Don't say anything." So the Ewell's are just blaming Tom Robinson because he was there before Bob hurt Mayella. Kayla May 09, 2010 7:31 PM

Everyone in the courtroom has to know that Tom in no way could have beaten her up, and all the evidence poits to Bob Ewell, no one had the guts to stand up for him except Atticus because they didn't want anything to happen to themselves. Which is pure selfishness. Erin

No, I don't think that Tom Robinson recieved a fair trial in the novel. I think that the jury did base their decision on race because there was no real evidence that it was him, and there was even evidence that it wasn't him and they still put all the blame on him. Kayla May 06, 2010 12:46 PM

I agree with Jenna when it comes to this, I don't think Tom recieved a fair trial, and yes, mostly because his race, No evidence they had supporting their argument could have possibly been true, especially with Tom having a disability. I think it is fair to say that the courts decisions were based on the colour of his skin, and not actually how believable each person's story was. Tome Robinson seemed very believable and honest, yet people disregarded him. However, do you think it would have been any different if it were a white person in Tom's position, and black people as the judge and people of the court? Alison 05/05/10 9:18pm

I honestl do not thingk thatTom Robinson had a fair tial. All of the clues were there that in no way, t all he could have beenguilty of this. I do believe that they singley based their vote on race. Erin

Racism is truly a big deal in the book and is displayed in many ways. Tom Robinson did not recieve a fair trial seeing as obviously he was not guilty. There was no possible way he could have hit Mayella with his left hand seeing it had been badly injured previously. All signs pointed to Bob Ewell but the jury was more concerned on the race of Tom Robionson, so yes racism was the deciding factor in his trial. Apparently in this book they don't think white people can do anything wrong (except support the blacks). Jenna

There has been quite a few turning points in this novel. One being Scout being told she should be more lady like. What is your opinion on the gender roles of this time period and should the change be forced upon her if she's not ready for it? Jenna

I agree with Alison on her views of how Scout should be taught to be more "ladylike". I think its okay if she wears clothes that aren't permitted but if somebody taught her to be more polite and act more like a girl I think that could benefit her. I also don't think that this change should be forced upon her as she is still only a child. Alex

I agree with Alison. She is only a little girl, I think that she should be or do whatever she wants since she is so young. Erin

I didn't find it odd that someone would tell Scout to be more lady like during the time period, and also considering what would appear appropriate for a man or woman. I don't think wearing a skirt or doing things more lady like, like that, shoud be forced upon her, because it really will not benefit her in the long run. However, I do think if someone tought Scout to be more lady like in a sense that she is more polite, well mannered, and to have stronger, better values about life, Scout would be very well off. On that note, I also think everyone could be more polite and could have better values, maybe just because the time period, but it is something that could go for not only the girls, but the guys as well. Alison 10:34pm 26/04/10

I don't feel that the change should be forced on her, considering she is still young. She will later develop into a lady when she gets older, but I thnk since she is so young they should let her have her fun. I do agree that she should talk and be kind and respectful like a lady, but not dressing or not playing in the dirt or with Jem should be forced away from her. Erin

As much as I am glad that everyone agrees with my views on this subject, I have also come to realise that I think all children in this novel should take a ;esson like Scout has, The idea not to be more ladylike, as we call it, but just more polite and respectable persons overall. This could go for not only Scout, Jem and Dill, but also many adults in the novel. The further I read, the more I start to think that this isn't just a lesson for Scout, but also fo everyone, us included. Alison 02/05/10 9pm.

From what we have read so far, what are your thoughts on racism between the characters. Are some more prejudice towards coloured skin, or white? If so, who, and how does it affect them, and their surroundings (i.e.family, friends)? Alison - 19/04/2010

I agree with Erin because some characters are a lot more racist than others. So far I have seen that most of the white people are very ignorant and do not accept black people. Due to the ignorance of the white people this also causes some of the black people to not like the white people(this shows when Jem and Scout go to church with Calpurnia). In conclusion racism is more involved in certain characters and not all of the characters are racist. Alex

I do think that some are deffinetly more prejudice toward coloured skin then others. However, some coloured people are prejudice towards white people too. For example, at the Chruch, the lady did not agree with any white person being in the "blacks" church. It is said that the whites have their own Church, and the coloured people have their own. They are to never be in each others. So the prejudice of this book can go both ways, not just the whites being prejudice towards the coloured people. Erin.

I feel for the time period they lived in it wasn't uncommon to be prejudice without even noticing. Like Erin said, they were always seperated in different ways, and also it seems the white people like to stay amongst their own and same goes along with the black people aswell. In this novel I believe the prejudice remarks made by some of the characters really does affect the Finch family and the friends they have. Not everyone agrees with what Atticus is doing, and if they do agree not everyone is willing to admit that. Jenna

I agree with everyone on this subject. Everyone in this novel seems atleast slightly prejudice against the other race without being aware of it. I think this comes from the fact that in that time period it was just human nature. I agree with both Erin and Jenna as well, when we are talking about Scout and Jem going to the church. The white people may be somewhat more prejudice against the black, but the black people are definitely sure about their strong feelings against the white. I think Jenna is definitely right when she says the Finch family is affected by the touchy matter, considering Atticus' situation as a lawyer. Alison 25/04/10

This is all true I don't really have much else to add to these statements. Everyone has a slightly different thing to say here, but in the end we all seem to agree that everyone is slightly prejudice in this time period even if they don't know that they are. Jenna

What does Atticus' management of Scout's problems at school suggest about his strengths as a parent? Comment on Atticus's parenting in the novel thus far.

I feel as if Atticus is trying his best as a parent. There's really only so much you can do to make sure your children are on a good path and are doing well in school. Jenna

I feel that Atticus is a good parent considering the time frame this book is in. He may be a little strict but I think he could be worse. He has taught Scout pretty well and gives her a good way to handle her problems at school. He teaches her that their teacher is just learning and she has to be patient with her. I think that is a good response to her problems. Alex

I completely agree with Alex on this one in the sense that Atticus is doing his best as a parent, especially considering the time period the novel is set in. I think sometimes he is a bit hard on Scout, some people may call it strict, but he is setting her in the right direction. When you think about all the factors affecting them, the time period, what education they are recieving, family matters, economy, Scout has a great parent, that I think really helps her with her school problems. Through our reading up to date, Atticus has helped Scout learn to be more patient with people which not only serves her well at school, but also in the real world with new people and situations she will face. Alison

I think Atticus is doing the best that he can to be a parent to Scout, he is hard on her I believe fo the reason that he just doesn't want to see her fail at anything, or get into the wrong crowd of people. People have different ways to parent, but the bottom line is they all want the best for their children. Atticus tries to parent by beig strick, which is working for him under the circumstances and time period this novel is set in. Erin

I agree with what Erin said because all that Atticus wants is for Scout to grow up and be successful and in order for her to do that Atticus has to be a little strict with her. I think thats why he is strict because he doesn't want her to get stuck in the wrong crowd and fail at life. I also feel that Atticus has taught her many good lessons that will serve her later in life. Alex

I agree completely with everyone's thoughts on Atticus and his parenting. He's really doing good for her keeping the time period in mind. He can be hard on her, but it's all for the best. He may be strict but in this time period a lot of parents were, they didn't know many other ways of parenting back then. Jenna

Yeah, I think was Jenna is saying is also very true. I'd say with that time period in mind, there weren't many other way sot parent. strict, not strict enough, caring, uncaring, it all comes down to a basic science, and in the end all parents want their children to suceed in what they do. Whether it's education, or any other situations they will encounter in this novel, I think Atiicus is doing perfect job for what Scout needs in a parent. - Alison. 18/04/10, 9pm