Matthew+T

1). Time - era – This book took place in the Great Depression of the 1930s. - season (beginning of book) - It starts off in the beginning of Summer. - age/period of life for Scout, Jem, Atticus - Scout is six, Jem is ten, and Atticus' age is unknown.

2). Geography - area of world - The story takes place in old rural and tired Maycomb, Alabama. - climate - The climate is a hot, subtropical area. - landscape/buildings - The landscape is mainly flat with a few little hills. The buildings are small old homes.

3). Environment - occupations - Schoolteachers, judge, lawyers, and cotton pickers. - lifestyle - The lifestyle is seemingly like a little better than most people's during the Depression. - morals/religion - People are mainly Christian and have a moral code of filial piety. - customs - People visit each other on Sunday afternoons, stay away from the Radley house, and respect everyone. - family life - Many people consider family to be the most important. - education -Some people take school very seriously, while others only show up for the first day then leave.

1). Mocking a Difference <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">Why do people tend to make fun of those who are in some way different? Do you believe the tendency is stronger in children or adults? Suggest ways to combat this tendency.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">People tend to make fun of those who are different because they feel insecure about themselves. I believe this tendency is stronger in children because little children blurt out what ever comes to mind. The way I think this needs to be combated is that children need to learn about manners at an earlier age, so no one gets their feelings hurt, and we are all happy. Another way to combat th<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">is tendency is to repeatedly discipline children who constantly blurt out comments that make fun of people. In conclusion, we can all live in a better world when children stop making fun of people.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">1). You Take that Back!

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">What type of insult would most provoke you? <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif;">– <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">An insult about your dress or appearance <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif;">– <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">An insult about your character or action <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif;">– <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">An insult about a friend or family member

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">Explain your reasons and suggest ways to deal with insults.

The type of insult that would most provoke me would be an insult to my character or action, because all other insults are not really meant to harm anyone only to make temporary fun of them. For example, if someone made a "yo-mama" joke you really wouldn't be that insulted, but when it injures your pride, thats when it starts to hurt deep down. One way to deal with these insults is just to ignore them, but if that doesn't work then you could talk to somebody about it. If even talking about does not work, then you could get some help from teachers at school. Another thing to do, is if you stand up for someone else, whose pride is being insulted, then they will probably stand up for you. In the end I think that those who make fun of you now will one day end up having to respect you.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">There are many structural and thematic links between Chapters 11-12. The children, in many ways, begin to enter the adult world.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">Task: Seven themes are listed below. For each theme find 1-2 examples of this theme in Chapter 11 and 1-2 examples in Chapter 12. You may organize your findings in any way you would like—such as a chart, outline, etc. Full sentences and direct quotations are not necessary—you may put the examples in your own words. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">Themes
 * 1) <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Courage - Chapter 11: Atticus says that Mrs.Dubose began to kick her morphine addiction after she already knew that she was licked. Chapter 12: Calpurnia stood up to Lula by defending Scout and Jem.
 * 2) <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Jem’s Maturation - Chapter 11: At the end of the chapter, Jem has learned to accept apologies because he is feeling regret for the flowers as shown by him fingering the pedals. Chapter 12: Jem matures in this chapter when he is walking home from Calpurnia's church, because he now knows why he cannot use "African-American talk".
 * 3) <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Hidden Identities Discovered - Chapter 11: We learn that Mrs. Dubose was recovering from years of morphine addiction. Chapter 12: We learn that Tom Robinson is in jail, not for a property problem with the Ewells, but, because Bob Ewell claims that Tom raped his daughter.
 * 4) <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Concern for Others - Chapter 11: Atticus was concerned for Mrs. Dubose recovering from an addiction; he would have sent Jem to read to her even if he had not cut her bushes. Chapter 12: At the church, the Reverend is concerned for Mrs. Robinson not being able to find a job; he starts a collection for her and will take no less than ten dollars, so he locks the doors until the money is collected.
 * 5) <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Prejudice - Chapter 11: Mrs. Dubose says that not only will Scout wait tables, but Atticus is defending African-Americans. Mrs. Dubose says that Atticus is no better than the African-Americans he works for. Chapter 12: Calpurnia says that because she is black she should only talk that way at church.
 * 6) <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Illusions give way to Reality - Chapter 11: Atticus tells us that, while it appeared that Mrs. Dubose paid a lot of attention to Jem reading, she really only looked at the clock to wait for morphine. Chapter 12: It appears to Scout and Jem that Calpurnia is not that old, but she is older than Atticus, and has half grown grandchildren.
 * 7) <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Scout’s Maturation - Chapter 11: Scout matured in this chapter when she voluntarily went to Mrs. Dubose's place and learned to help family out. Chapter 12: Scout learns that just because the color of one's skin is different does not make one superior or better in any way, shape, or form.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">1). Mob Rule

o <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">How would you define a mob?

o <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">How does mob behavior differ from individual behavior?

o <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">How would you handle an angry mob as opposed to an angry individual?

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">What is a mob? Well, my definition of a mob is a large group of people with similar ideas. Mob behavior differs from individual behavior because when someone is part of a mob they always do what everyone else is doing, but when they are an individual, they have to make their own choices and define their own behavior. If I were faced with an angry mob, I would first try to talk to them and calm them down. If that didn't work, then I would run for it. This would be different from dealing with one angry individual because, its only one person not a hundred, so you only have to calm one person; and what can one person do that a mob cannot? In light of all this, I truly hope that I never am faced with an angry mob, because of all the problems it would cause.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">1). Protecting the Innocent

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">What is your view about shielding children from unpleasant truths?


 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Is it important for a child to know the truth or to keep a child in the dark?
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Is it right for a parent to lie to a child to shield him or her?

In this generation, many parents argue whether or not to tell their children unpleasant truths. My view on this matter is that children should be kept in the dark until they are about 6 or 7, then a parent should tell them a few a unpleasant truths. Every now and then a parent should tell them a few more unpleasant truths to gradually adjust the kids to the real world. Up until that time, it is right for a parent to lie to their children so that the children do not grow up their entire young lives in fear of these truths just because it scared them at a young age. It is important for children to know the truth because they need to learn what the real world is like. In the end of this heated argument, I think that, eventually, most parents will agree this to be true.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Good arguments follow certain rules. Three which are important in the court room are brevity, clarity, and thoroughness.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';"> Task: Review the way that Atticus and Gilmer handle Tom’s case. You goal is to provide evidence from the trial to support each statement. Hints have been given throughout to help you.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';"> Atticus’ Argument


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Mayella Ewell was probably injured by a left-handed man; therefore, Tom was not involved.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Mayella - She said that she got hit in her right eye, which most likely means the person was left-handed.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Mayella - Mayella said that her father was a drunk, and that he was left handed.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom - Tom basically had no left hand after it was cut off in a cotton gin.


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">No medical evidence exists to prove a rape occurred.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Heck Tate - He said that Mayella was pretty banged up so there was no need to call a doctor because it was obvious that something happened.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Bob Ewell - Said that he did not call a doctor.


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">The Ewells are not credible witnesses.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Bob Ewell - He said that he saw the whole scene from the window.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Bob Ewell - Bob was a drunk, and was probably drunk the night he saw the scene from the window.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Mayella - Mayella said that her father had to ask who the man was.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Mayella - At first she could not remember getting hit in the face but later she could.


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom Robinson’s previous arrest was unimportant.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom - Tom was arrested for disorderly conduct, but it was really self-defense.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom - The only reason that he was put in jail was that he could not afford the fine.


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom is a gentle, compassionate, hard-working man.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom - Tom said that he came and chopped up the chiffarobe for Mayella for free because he felt sorry for her having to everything by herself.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom - Mr.Deas said that in all eight years that Tom has worked for him, he has never caused even one speck of trouble.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom - He said that he did not want to have to push Mayella out of the way.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';"> Gilmer’s Argument


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Mayella looked as though she was physically abused.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Mayella - Mayella had a black eye and was bruised everywhere on her body.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Mayella - She had a big scar on her neck from where somebody choked her.


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Mayella was raped by Tom.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom - Tom was a Negro, thus he was already guilty.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Mayella and Bob Ewell - Mayella said that tom raped her and Mr. Ewell said that he saw all this happen through the window.


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom acts in a shifty, dangerous, and criminal way.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom - Tom has to have had a reason or feeling toward Mayella to chop up the chiffarobes for free.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom - He was arrested because of a misdemeanor, and anyone arrested for a misdemeanor would have it their hearts to rape a young girl.


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom is insolent and doesn’t know his place.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom - Tom says that that he wants to face up to what he did, and Mr. Gilmore obviously does not believe this.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Tom - Mr. Gilmore says that a black man, like Tom, has no authority to call a white woman a liar.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">1). Closing the Gaps

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;"> Why do people feel prejudice against whole groups of people? n <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">insecurity? n <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">result of bad experiences? n <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">automatic acceptance of old attitudes? <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;"> How can we overcome prejudice?

Why do people feel prejudice, especially against whole groups of individuals? The most valid reason is probably insecurity. Certain people might be better at certain things than others. Another reason would be that no one person, probably has enough courage to stand up for what is right, and, so, they just go along with the prejudice. Also, bad experiences with a certain group of individuals can cause prejudice. For example, when terrorists took out the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001; a lot of people started saying things like, "All Muslims are terrorists." In the end, the only way that we can overcome all prejudice is by finding a way to live in total peace and harmony, but that will probably never happen, because when people live in groups there is almost always some sort of fighting, or disagreement.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;">1). Atticus says that he sometimes feels he has been a total failure as a parent. Drawing examples from the novel, contradict or support his remark.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans',sans-serif;"> 2). Scout is finally able to meet Boo Radley, walk him home, and “stand in his shoes.” How does the actual meeting differ from her expectations? What does she learn from the experience?

Atticus is not a total failure as a parent. One example that contradicts Atticus' statement is that Jem says, "no matter what Atticus does not do with him but other fathers do with their kids, he [Jem] will always look up to him [Atticus]." That statement is all that a parent could ever want to hear from their children. Another example that contradicts the statement is that Atticus has taught Jem and Scout so much about life such as the following: compromising to read, to Scout if she went to school; showed both Jem and Scout what true courage is, and how Mrs. Dubose had it; and Atticus also taught them that they should not be prejudice, and maybe, just maybe, their generation might be the one that becomes unbiased. If a single parent like Atticus, could teach two growing kids all of this, then I hardly call him a failure as a parent.

Towards the end of the book, Scout is finally able to meet Boo Radley, but her meeting is far from what she expects. The meeting is different because, mainly, Boo, saved her life by killing Bob Ewell. Second, Boo was actually in her house just leaning against the wall, not walking out of his house. Then, after they talk about what happened to Bob, Scout gets the privilege of walking Boo home. When she is standing on the Radley porch, Scout is finally able to stand in Boo's shoes by seeing all that he saw while trapped in the house. Scout never saw Boo again, but she does learn that most people are truly good at heart. In conclusion, while at first this book may seem like a simple story of love, it is actually about how kids mature, and what influences parents have over their kids, which is why I think that this book is a true masterpiece.