Hey guys. Man, I’ve been so busy. I have SAT classes every fricken day, with excessive amounts of Homework. This class is even more intensive than Mr. Soeths Eng Class!! Is that possible? Haha. Well anyway, what I am trying to say is that I didn’t get to read as much as I wanted to. I did read though. I’m sorry if I am not up-to-date as everyone else. I’m just apologizing in advance.
Okay, so, lest start with some interesting correleations I observed. Alrite, so remember the fire that happened during chapter 9? I never really noticed the powerful symbol it contained. I also never realized the significance of the scene until now. “ smoke was rolling off our house and Miss Rachel’s house like fog off a riverbank…” (93) If any of you guys noticed, before the fire, the story is mainly focused on Scout and Jems childhood life. The games they played with Dill, the adventures they had, and the imaginations they had about the Radleys. After the fire, however, the narration of the story started to change. Scout begins to have more conflicts. The innocent theme of the story begins to diminish. The drama starts to begin…
So in a way, the fire kind of foreshadows the darkness of the events to come. It acts as some kind of transition.
Right after the fire, the case of Tom Robinson arises. Racism becomes even more of a prominent part throughout the story. Jem and Scout are criticized for being “nigger-lovers,” just because Atticus is helping Tom. For example, Cecil Jacobs states, “ my folks said your daddy was a disgrace an’ that nigger oughta hang from the water tank.” Obviously, racism is evident. Lets go a little further into the book. On about chapter 12, the author takes us into the black community. Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout into the black church. You could guess how Jem and Scout assumed black people were like, after hearing all the prejudice from the white community. However, surprisingly, the lack community is mannered and very sympathetic. People also stated that Tim was a very decent man, accused for a fault that he never committed. Lets think about this for a while. People beieved Bob Ewell, a rude son of a….( sorry for the language) over a very decent man named Tom Robinson. What does this tell us? It tells us how powerful racism can be. Racism stands prominent over personality. It seems as if the people would rather believe a white prisoner than a black doctor.
Furthermore, the black church is very poor. “ to our amazement, Reverent Skyes emptied the can onto the table and raked the coins into his hand. He straightened up and said, ‘this is not enough. We must have ten dollars.’” (162)
I feel bad for the blacks in this community. I feel bad for all the discrimination they have to go through.
Finally, I want to talk about Atticus. He is a very interesting man. He stands out from all the other denizens of Maycomb. Hes the only one who is not actually “racist.” Do you guys have any opinions of why he is like this?
Anyways I have to read further to discuss more themes of the story. Ill be posting more. Thanks guys!!
Kev-kev:D
ReplyDeleteI liked your observation on how post-fire, the pace and flow of the story instantly evolved; from the story being focused on Scout, Jem, and Dill's innocent childhood adventures to the dramatic and conflicting trial of Tom Robinson.
I completely agree with you in that the fire acted as a transition. But I've also come to observe that maybe the fire symbolizes and foreshadows the destruction of Tom Robinson. The fire destroyed and damaged homes in Maycomb, just like Tom Robinson was destroyed by the discrimination and racism of the town. During the fire, the citizens of Maycomb came together to help the neighbors in need and they were able to rebuild and support each other in moving on from the tragic event. This can be compared to Tom Robinson's death; people were left devastated but with the support and encouragement of neighbors, people were able to move on from it.
& Amen to you Kev, racism is cruel and it shouldn't even have to do with the court system. Everyone knows Tom Robinson is an innocent, genuine man, but all people look at is the color of his skin D: It's crazy how Maycomb criticizes Jem, Scout, and Atticus for being 'backwards' and not proper, when they can't even see people as people. Maycomb judges based on stereotypes and skin color...I think we all know who the 'backwards' people are. If only people, even today, can see the world in the eyes of Atticus, Scout, and Jem.
Good Job Kevin:D See you soon!
What are you trying to say about my class ;-)
ReplyDeleteI like your commentary on the loss of innocence with the house burning down. That is the first time in the story that Scout and Jem start to see that bad things can happen to them or in their community.
At the same time, notice how everyone pulls together to try and save the house - or parts of it - and the possessions within. This strength and unity in the community could be used for good and bad, just curious if anyone has found that part yet.
This is some of the better writing you have done. You have a good blogging voice. When you drop the formal tone your writing is a bit more engaging and to the point. I have not decided if I want this to be a more formal venue or a casual one - something we can work on as this is the first time I have done this. Either way, keep it up, but do watch the language, this is a school blog. ;D