Alex Daly chaps 24-25 Free Response, What is the connection between killing a cripple and killing a mockingbird?

         In the editorial on pages 320-323 there is a connection between killing cripples and songbirds. Mr. B.B. Underwood writes this editorial for the Macomb Tribune and puts much heart and thought into it. In the editorial he expressed lots of strong opinions about this subject. “ He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children.”[lee 323] This shows how strongly he feels about Tom’s death because it was a sin to kill a mockingbird (songbird).  It is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they do nothing for us but make beautiful music for our enjoyment. He is saying that cripples are like a songbird, calming and peaceful, as opposed to bluejays, that are known to be violent and bothersome. Also, he is comparing the children and hunters to the jurors and the guards that shot Tom. The jurors are the children that do not change their views in the case and had determined the verdict from the start of the trial. The hunters are the guards that shot Tom. They probably could have run and grabbed Tom from the fence because he was so slow getting up, but instead they decided to shoot him over, and over, and over, again. 

         Aticus once said in the past “shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit’ em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” [lee 119] This connects with the songbird aspect of the article. Mr. Underwood is saying that it is a sin to kill a cripple because they cannot fight back. Cripples are not able to kill you so why would you kill them. Cripples are not a danger to anyone, they are like mockingbirds, they can’t do many things to bother anyone. 

Brooke Graves - Chapters 18 and 19 - Why does Dill cry? Explain the situation in detail. How does this relate back to Atticus’s comment about having a police force of children? (210)

          At the end of chapter 19, Dill cries because he is discussed and enraged by the way Mr. Gilmer was treating Tom Robinson. Scout, Dill, and Jem were all in the courtroom watching the case, but when Mr. Gilmer went to cross-examine Tom Robinson it was to much for Dill to handle. He burst into tears and ran out of the courtroom. Dill told Scout, when they were sitting under an oak tree, "The way that man called him 'boy' all the time an' sneered at him, an' looked around at the jury every time he answered," (Lee 266). Mr. Gilmer believed that Tom must be lying, must be violent, and must take advantage of white women simply because he is black.
          This relates back to Atticus's comment about having a police force of children because when the mob was going to attack Atticus and Tom Robinson, the children brought Mr. Cunningham to his senses. Mr. Gilmer needs Dill to bring him to his senses. Atticus suggested that they have a police force of children because children can see past people's color and judge the situations based on what is happening. Adults can't always do this, and they are quick to make assumptions. Dill was able to look past the fact that Tom Robinson was black and he said, "It ain't right, somehow it ain't right to do em' that way. Hasn't anybody got any business talkin' like that - it makes me sick," (Lee 266).

What is it that makes adults racists and assume things about people, as apposed to when they were kids?

Explain Atticus’ explanation about the mob dispersing. What is a mob made of? How was it broken up? chapters 16-17 (Alex Daly)

         “A mob is always made up of people no matter what.” [lee 210] This is a quote from Aticus describing what the mob was created of.  Aticus is saying that when people are in a mob they are a whole different person. The mob mentality completely changes how they are felling and how they carry out actions. Aticus is stating that it is not their fault that they are caught up in all the shenanigans that are going around town. The men that are caught up in this are generally good men, but they all get together and create something that is bad overall. “ So it took a eight-year old child to bring them to their senses, didn’t it. That proves something - that gang of wild men can be stopped, simply because they are human.” [lee 210] This statement is just reinforcing that Aticus truly thinks that it was the mob mentality and not the men that where after him that night. 

Chapter 16&17 :   How is the relationship between Aunty and Atticus changing? In what ways is this important to our understanding of the novel? 

      When Aunt Alexandra arrives to help teach Scout how to become a lady, Atticus listens to what she has to say and helps her earn the children's respect, but more recently the relationship between Aunty and Atticus has become tense. The morning after Scout, Dill and Jem snuck out to see what Atticus was up to, Aunt Alexandra was in a particularly bad mood. "Aunt Alexandra sipped coffee and radiated waves of disapproval" (Lee 208), as well as showing disappointment directly towards Atticus, "But she was frowning at Atticus" (Lee 209). By Aunt Alexandra and Atticus disagreeing and arguing all of the time it could create tension in the family and problems for Atticus in Maycomb. Atticus is a respected lawyer and thoughtful person in general but Aunt Alexandra is respected as well in different ways. Aunt Alexandra is very popular in the neighborhood and was welcomed by friends of hers such as Miss Maudie, Miss Stephanie, Miss Rachel and even Mr. Nathan Radley came up to the fence to personally welcome her. Throughout the novel, Aunt Alexandra and Atticus haven't gotten along with each other or agreed with each others decisions but they at least respected each other, but if they loose that respect there will not be anything left of their relationship. Atticus and Aunt Alexandra's relationship may not be an easy one but farther on in the book it will prove useful later in the novel.  

chapter 16-17 Explain Atticus’ explanation about the mob dispersing. What is a mob made of? How was it broken up? How does his explanation relate to one of themes of the book?

In chapter sixteen Atticus tries to explain to scout what a mob is, why they left , and how she broke it up. He tells Scout that she broke it up by making "Walter Cunningham stand in my shoes for a minute."(Lee ,210). Atticus tells Scout that coming out and speaking to Mr. Cunningham appeals to his human side and he becomes less like a bloodthirsty animal. He says " A mob is always made up of people, no matter what" (Lee,210). This means that although they are looking to lynch someone they still have feelings that can snap them out of mob mode. This is the key to how scout is able to stop the mob from hurting Atticus and Tom Robinson. When she begins to talk to Mr. Cunningham it makes them aware of what she wood have to go through if they hurt her dad. This brings them back because they are then aware that there would be consequences for there actions and that there is no reason to hurt Atticus.

16-17 What is revealed that is confusing about Mr. Underwood in chapter 16? How does this relate to one of the themes of the novel? -Bayard Eton

         In chapter 16, while discussing last night's events, Atticus says "You know it's a funny thing about Braxton, he despises Negros, won't have one near him" (Lee, 209). Braxton (Mr. Underwood) doesn't like black people like Tom Robinson, however Underwood defends Tom when the lynch mob is coming after him. Mr. Underwood did not suddenly have a change of heart for colored people, he respects Atticus and the law. He is not like Mr. Cunningham who disobeys the law by what he feels is right, Underwood not only obeys the law but he is also helping Atticus defend it. In this scene Underwood is shown as a kind person.
        From a different prospective, Underwood may have not been protecting Tom Robinson, but he may have just been protecting Atticus. He may not care less what happens to Tom, but he knows that Atticus is valuable to the community and probably to Underwood as well. Even though Atticus was defending someone that Mr. Underwood may not have, Underwood is still a kind enough person to protect Atticus over joining the mob.

Chapter 14-15 Charlie Ablon Free Responce Post: Should Atticus ask Aunt Alexandra to change her attitude?

    After a few more disputes between Scout and Aunt Alexandra, Atticus needs to put his foot down and tell Aunt Alexandra to change her attitude or she has to leave Maycomb. Ever since the arrival of Aunt Alexandra she has distrupted the everyday routine inside the Finch's household. The tension between Scout and Aunt Alexandra is growing. There recently was another debate between Scout and Aunt Alexandra when Scout yelled at at her aunt for butting in to Scout and Atticus's conversation which caused Scout to say, "I didn't ask you!"(Lee, 181). This resulted in Atticus to take sides with his sister and created upset feelings from Scout. Atticus is constantly told what to do by Aunt Alexandra to such an extent that Scout said, "My father never thought these thoughts. My father never spoke so. Aunt Alexandra had to put him up to this" (Lee, 178). Atticus's approach to Scout concerning Aunt Alexandra is, "You do as Calperina tells you, you do as I tell you, and as long as your aunt's in this house, you will do as she tells you" (Lee 182). Based on this quote I completely disagree with Atticus. Aunt Alexandra is a guest in the Finch's house and she should mind her own business while she is there. Aunt Alexandra has created exessive commotion opon her arrival and Atticus has to stop this chaos  before it gets any worse. This means that Atticus has to start at the source, Aunt Alexandra. He has to take action by no longer putting up with what Aunt Alexandra says to him. Every parent should have the right to their own parenting style as long as they aren't breaking the law and Aunt Alexandra shouldn't express her opinions to Atticus. In conclusion, Atticus needs to make some major changes in his household or his family could come crashing into him.

Should Atticus also talk to Scout about her attitude? Will there be a climax with the arguements between Scout and Aunt Alexandra? How long do you think Aunt Alexandra stay?

Chapters 10-11: Why is it appropriate to kill a mad dog but not a mockingbird? (Marcus Patalano)

     Is it appropriate to kill a "mad dog" but not a mockingbird, just because killing a dog isn't a written in the bible as a sin? When Jem and Scout are out in the neighborhood with their new air guns, Jem notices a dog walking lopsided. They decide to go tell Calpurnia because a mad dog can be very dangerous. When they show Calpurnia the dog she "stared, then grabbed us by the shoulders and ran us (Scout and Jem) home. She shut the wood door behind us went to the telephone and shouted, gimme  Mr. Finches office!" (Lee 123" After Mr. Finch arrives they have no option to kill the mad dog before it causes any damage to anybody or anything.

     Earlier in the chapter Atticus says to Jem "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit em', but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. When Scout asks Miss Maudi about it she says "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy". What Miss Maudi is trying to say is that you shouldn't kill anything that cant kill you.

     Do you think that this rule would still apply if killing a dog was a sin, even if it was mad? Or does this event have a higher meaning, perhaps foreshadowing on a later event? What significance does this incident have to the book, considering the book is called To Kill A Mocking Bird?

Chapters 10 and 11 - Why is it appropriate to kill a mad dog but not a mockingbird? (Brooke Graves)

        It is appropriate to kill a mad dog but not a mockingbird because mockingbirds are not a threat to the neighborhood, but mad dogs can be very dangerous. One day Jem and Scout went exploring with their new air-rifles to see if they could find anything. They were about five hundred yards past the Radley's house when Jem spotted an old dog named Tim Johnson. The dog was walking lopsided and slow as a snail. He was also shivering and opening and closing his mouth. They raced home, told Calprunia, and Calprunia warned everyone on the street to stay inside. The street was deserted as if crisis had struck. When the sheriff arrived, Atticus told him, "He's within range, Heck. You better get him before he goes down the side street - Lord knows who's around the corner," (Lee 126). Atticus means that the sheriff better shoot the mad dog before it wanders off and harms someone. Ms. Maudie had explained how killing a mockingbird was a sin earlier in this chapter. When Scout asked her why it was a sin, Ms. Maudie explained to her that, "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens... That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird," (Lee 119). Ms. Maudie means that it is a sin to kill mockingbirds because they don't but anyone in danger. In Scout and Jem's neighborhood, it is a well respected rule that you don't harm anything that doesn't harm you.

Does this "rule" apply to people too? For example, would people in their neighborhood try to harm Boo Radley based on the rumors they have heard about him. Do people consider Boo Radley harmful and dangerous? Do you think this "rule" is foreshadowing any events that could occur in the future?

Chapters 8 and 9 How did scout end up with a blanket across her shoulders?Why would Harper Lee include this moment in the book

During the fire Jem and Scout had to wait in the cold while waiting there scout becomes extremely cold until Boo sneaks out of the house and gives her a blanket without her knowledge. Harper Lee included this scene because throughout the book we hear of terrible rumors about Boo being a monster. The only person who believes that he is a real person and not a monster is Atticus. With this scene we learn that Boo is a warm hearted individual. He takes the few moments he could to get out of the house and help comfort a child that has been harassing him during the summer. "I'm going to tell you something and tell you one time: stop tormenting that man" (Lee p.65). This is the only time we have seen Boo and rumors of him have left a bad impression, but due to this seen we have a more positive outlook on him as a person. Will we see Boo as a good guy throughout the rest of the book or was this simply a fluke.

Chapter 6 & 7: What does Scout mean by “It was then that Jem and I first began to part company?” (Charlie Ablon)

   When Scout says that she and Jem are "parting company" Harper Lee is attempting to break the relationship between the Finch siblings.  "It was then that Jem and I first began to part company." (Lee 75). In this quote, the author was trying to show the differences between the two kids. Ever since the beginning of the Summer Jem has alligned with Dill against Scout. This caused Scout to feel ignored and excluded by her peers and as a result, she started to befriend the neighbor Ms. Maudie. The primary reason that Dill and Jem excluded Scout was because of their different opinions about Boo Radley. Scout didn't want to play the Radley game because she was afraid of the Radley family and of the punishment she would recieve from Atticus should he find out about the game. On the other hand, Jem wanted to expore the mystery of the Radley history. This caused Scout to bother Jem about playing the Radley game, "My nagging got the better of Jem eventually, as I knew it would, and to my relief we slowed down the game for a while" (Lee 55).  After constantly fighting whether Scout is going to further explore the Radley house, it started to get on Jem's nerves. "I declare to the Lord your gettin' more like a girl every day!"(Lee 69). The differences between genders also plays a big role in the parting of the Finch kids. With Scout maturing, she will change her opinions and thoughts to be increaslingly similar to those of a girl. When Scout was younger she had more of a boy's personalitity due to the fact that she spent so much time being around Jem. Now that Scout is more independent, the two siblings will begin to "part company".


     Will Atticus notice the changes of Scout and Jem's relationship and try to intervene? How will Jem respond to Scout's girlish behavior? Will Jem continue to explore the Radley house without Dill and Scout? How does Scout and Jem's "parting company" affect how Scout will behave in school with her peers?