Brooke Graves - Chapters 26 & 27 - Explore Scout's confusion in class and then her altercation with Jem. What is the root of Scout's confusion about Miss Gates? How is Miss Gates being a hypocrite? Why does Harper Lee include this? What is the purpose?

       Scout was confused about Miss Gates because in class she taught the kids that everyone is equal in America, but Scout had heard her say, outside of the courthouse, that it was about time that blacks got taught a lesson. In class, Cecil talked about Hitler, and Ms. Gates taught the kids about how America is a democracy and Germany is a dictatorship. Scout explained to the class that a democracy is, "Equal rights for all, special privileges for none," (Lee 328). Later, when Scout talked to Atticus about Miss Gates's reaction to Hitler, she said, "Miss Gates said it was awful, Hitler doin' like he does, she got real red in the face about it," (Lee 330). When Scout went to Jem because she was confused, Scout told Jem, "Well, coming out of the courthouse that night Miss Gates was... talking with Miss Stephanie Crawford. I heard her say it's time somebody taught 'em a lesson, they were gettin' way above themselves, an' the next thing they think they can do is marry us," (Lee 331). Scout was extremely confused by this because Miss Gates told the class that Jews were equal to all of us, and it wasn't right for Hitler to put them away in a pen. Scout knew that despite what she taught the kids in class, she didn't believe that all people were equal. In the statement she made to Stephanie, she separated blacks from everyone else. She believes that blacks can't come near white woman, and they certainly don't have the right to marry a white woman.
       Miss Gates was being a hypocrite because she was teaching the kids to believe that all people are equal, but she believes that black people aren't equal. Harper Lee included this in the book to display that most people in Maycomb don't think of blacks as people, they think of them as an object, trash. They think of blacks as trash because if in their minds black are trash they don't have to give them equal rights.

Do you think that people in Maycomb really see blacks as trash because of reasons other then their skin color, or do they use that as an excuse to not give them equal rights?

Chapter 24-27 : "The Radley Place had ceased to terrify me, but it was no less gloomy, no less chilly under its great oaks, and no less uninviting." Explore this with reference to Scout's development. (Chapter 26)

      Chapter 24-27 :  "The Radley Place had ceased to terrify me, but it was no less gloomy, no less chilly under its great oaks, and no less uninviting." Explore this with reference to Scout's development. (Chapter 26)

      Two years after Scout's adventures running around the Radley House, creating mischief and trying to get a good look at Boo Radley she has grown up and now realizes that while the Radley House has its secrets, she has nothing to be afraid of although the house is just as cut off as it always has been. As Scout starts third grade she has already grown from a child to a young lady. Wearing dresses more often, having tea with the ladies, watching a meaningful trial and talking to Calpurnia along with Aunt Alexandra instead of playing and running around with Dill and Jem as often. The Radley Place been there for the past years but only now is Scout realizing how much she has grown up since the last time she thought about it. "The Radley Place had ceased to terrify me, but it was no less gloomy, no less chilly under its great oaks, and no less uninviting" (Lee 324). The Radley House is just as dark and holds the same secrets as it always has but when Jem feels that he figured out some of the Radley secret he tells Scout. "... I'm beginning to understand why Boo Radley stayed shut up in the house all this time ... its because he wants to stay inside" (Lee 304).  Scout realizes that the Radley House is not dangerous and Boo may not be who everyone thinks he is but the house is still gloomy, chilly and uninviting because the lights still stay off, Boo still doesn't come out and no one but Nathan Radley ever goes in. Scout has grown and developed as a character and lady and will continue learning facts and clues about the Radley family as she matures throughout the book. 

ch.24-28 Explain the Mrs. Merriweather’s quote "I tell you there are some good but misguided people in this town.” What is she talking about? (chapter 24)

Mrs. Merriweather while at Aunt Alexandra’s gathering says this quote. In this quote she is trying to say that Maycomb is filled with people that want to do good, but when they try their sense of good is different from people like Atticus's. This is mostly aimed at the racism in Maycomb. An example of this comes on page 282 when Judge Taylor asks for the jury’s verdict they answer with "Guilty ... guilty ... guilty ... guilty..."(Lee 282). This jury believes they did the right thing putting away Tom Robinson due to the fact that he was black. Because of the way they were brought up they thought that all "negroes" were far from law-abiding citizens. This isn't because the men who made up the jury were bad people but simply because they were brought up in a racist town. That is what Mrs. Merriweather meant when she said "I tell you there are some good but misguided people in this town.” 

Eton-(24-25) Free Response "What Do You THink About Scout Wearing A Dress?"

       Throughout the book, Scout has not wanted to do anything that would make her seem like a "lady.""I declare to the Lord you're gettin more like a girl every day!"(Lee 69) Jem used this to get Scout to come to the Radley house at night. Scout did not want to go until Jem called her a girl. This shows that to her being called a girl is not something that she wants to be called. In chapter 24 Scout is not only wearing a dress, but she is trying to act like a lady to impress her Aunt Alexandra. After Aunt Alexandra and Scout heard of Tom Robinson's death, they were hurt for a minute, but then Alexandra decided to go back in there and to not appear as if anything was wrong. Scout then thought "After all if aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I."(Lee 318) At this point Aunt Alexandra silently told Scout to pass the cookies around to Mrs. Merriweather. Just like Jem compares himself to Atticus and believes that he is as grown up as Atticus is. Scout is now comparing herself to Aunt Alexandra. Scout is definitely not done running through the dirt with a bunch of boys, but Atticus's plan for Aunt Alexandra to make Scout more of a lady is working.

"What do you think of Scout at this point?" "Do you think Scout is ready to become a lady?"

Ari Benkler Chapters 22-23 Free Response Post: Explain the difference in perspective between Scout and Jem that results in their differing opinions in their exchange towards the end of chapter 23.

   Scout's view about the nature of the world is fundamentally more naive than that of Jem's as demonstrated in their exchange at the end of chapter 23. Scout believes that all people are basically the same and a victim of their circumstances when she says "No, everybody's gotta learn,... I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks." (Lee, 259). The conversation takes place in Jem's room after Aunt Alexandra has told Scout that she may not invite Walter Cunningham over for dinner or to play with him. Aunt Alexandra clearly demonstrates that she still believes in different classes of people, as evidenced by her quote, "I'll tell you why... Because--he--is--trash..." (Lee, 256). Aunt Alexandra also says "Besides, there's a drinking streak in that family a mile wide. Finch women aren't interested in that sort of people." (Lee, 255). This makes Scout go and get upset, and Jem consoles her in his room. Scout's complaints about Aunt Alexandra's outdated class system give rise to a discussion in which Jem outlines his belief that Old Family is just how long a family has been reading and writing, because, according to him, there is no other way to differentiate between the Cunninghams and the Finches. Jem goes further and outlines his beliefs about Maycomb County at large, naming the four types of people he believes reside therein. The tow folks, the folks like the Cunninghams, or farmers, the white trash like the Ewells, and the black people. This idea of hyper-division among such a small number of people shows how disillusioned Jem is with the concept of co-operation. He's seen so many bad decisions made from lack of coherence, so many moral options thrown by the wayside in the trial, he's completely lost his faith in human goodness. Scout is much more naive and open to the possibility of good qualities in people because she doesn't understand as much about the things that happened at the trial. Jem's opinions show deep cynicism about co-operation and Scout's opinion that people are all fundamentally the same and fundamentally decent shows her faith and how little she has seen of the actual world, independent of which one of them is right.

Who's vision of the social breakdown of Maycomb County is more accurate, Jem's or Scout's? Are people basically good with flaws, or are they self-serving at baseline and only willing to co-operate when it will benefit them and not take too much effort?

Chapter 22 & 23- Explain Jem's Discussion of "background" and different kinds of folks. How does that help you understand Jem's feelings expressed at the end of the chapter 23 (302). Why does Harper Lee put this here?

When Jem discusses background in chapter 23, he is starting to get a grasp of the ugly truth that is called earth. When Jem and Scout are upstairs in Jem's bedroom the two kids talk about different kinds of "folks" and where they place in society. In Jem's world there are four different kinds of people, "there's the ordinary kind like us and the neighbors..." (Lee 302). This conversation was triggered because of the recent disappointment in the results of the trial. Jem was certain that Atticus was going to win the case but it wasn't likely due to the fact that the jury simply could not let a black man walk. For all of Jem's life he was accustom to a simple world, but now that he is older his view on the world will change. And Jem's discussion with Scout is the beggining of Jem's change in thoughts about the world that he lives in. The main reason that Harper Lee put this discussion in the book was to inform the reader that the Finch children, especially Jem, aren't who they used to be in the beggining of the book. Within recent chapters Scout has started to notice that Jem is changing and that he growing up. This means that Jem will start to get an understanding of the world which is another milestone in Jem's process of becoming a man.  But Jem isn't the only one who has changed during the book. Scout has started to show more indepdence because of experiences such as observing Atticus' case. Harper Lee also put this in the book to tell the reader that now that the kids are starting to mature more, the book is going to be taking its final turn towards the finish line. With the last chapters within sight, Harper Lee is trying to tell you that the ending will be an intriguing one. 

Is there any other meanings behind Harper Lee putting this discussion in the book?
Do you think Scout will experience the same feelings that Jem has?
How long will it take Scout to realize that the world is not all perfect?

Chapters 22- 23: Explain Maudie’s two important quotes about Atticus in Chapter 22. How is she showing her support? Oakes Austin

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?