Chapters 22- 23: Explain Maudie’s two important quotes about Atticus in Chapter 22. How is she showing her support? Oakes Austin
Miss Maudie has a respect and understanding for Atticus and his actions that most of the citizens of Maycomb don’t have. As Jem, Dill and Scout are eating their cake in chapter 22, Miss Maudie decides to tell them about what a hardworking and good person Atticus is. Miss Maudie says “... there are some men in the world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father’s one of them....We’re so rarely called upon to be Christians, but when we are we’ve got men like Atticus to go for us,” (Lee 288). Atticus has always been a tireless worker for his children and the town, but he is rarely recognized because he does “the dirty work” that no one else ever acknowledges. Jem and Scout don’t understand that Atticus has such a hard job because he is so humble and receives so little praise. Miss Maudie is also condemning racism and praising Atticus for opposing it, even in such a small way “We’re so rarely called upon to be Christians, but when we are we’ve got men like Atticus to go for us.” She is one of the few people in the community other than people of color who the kids have seen praising Atticus for his work and they realize what he is doing for them. Jem, Scout and Dill have a new respect for Atticus after their talk with Miss Maudie.
Why does Atticus’s work go unnoticed?
I agree that Mrs. Maudie has a respect and understanding for Atticus and his actions. I think that Atticus's work goes unnoticed because of racism. Atticus is a great lawyer, as we saw in the previous chapters, I think the citizens of Maycomb realize this, it was just that when he decided to defend a black person they decided not to like him anymore. On page, 290, it says, " Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he'd get him if it took the rest of his life." This shows the hatred that people have towards Atticus ever since the trial began. That they don't like him because he turned against his own race to defend a minority race.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Maudie has a large affect on Dill, Scout and Jem. Her reassurance to the children about what a hardworking good person Atticus is really shows us about her character. Miss Maudie didn't even show up at the courtroom and still acknowledging Atticus for his brave actions, "You goin' to court this morning? asked Jem, I am not, t's morbid, watching a poor devil on trial for his life."(Lee 213) Her appreciation for Atticus really transfers into the children especially because of their respect for Mrs. Maudie. I completely agree that Jem, Dill, and Scout have a new found appreciation for the humble, wise, hardworking character we all love so much, Atticus.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Lauryn in saying that the town decided to not like him anymore. Most of Aticus' friends and neighbors still cared about him even though he is defending a black man. Everyone was at the trial to support Aticus in this case. If they did not care they would not have gone and it would have just been another black person accused of something that they did not really do. since Aticus' children cared they decided to go also even if they should not have been there. Some people around the town like Mr. Ewell and Mr. Cuningham did not care too much for Aticus during the trial though.
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