As I continued reading, the book seems to amaze me even more and more each time I pick it up. Its honestly a novel that could get me locked on throughout the night. The language and the way it is presented keeps me interested because its easy to understand.
From reading the beginning of the second part I began to respect Atticus even more and more because he is so different from the rest of the community in Maycomb. He does not carry the discrimination on blacks, but continuously fights for them and there rights. Atticus is a very strong and intelligent character in this book who doesn't care about what other people think, but focuses on what he needs to get done. For example the trial of Tom Robinson. The author describes the trial very clear, that I can visually see it in my mind such as the thoughts and feelings of each witness, Mr. Heck Tate, Robert Ewell, and Mayella Violet Ewell. Atticus seems very well prepared for the trial and carries no worries when asking questions to each witness. I noticed he repeats and didn't really focus on asking questions that deal with what happened between Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell, but used questions that had no relation to determining a verdict. Such questions would be, "Didn't call a doctor." (224) "He answered the questions three times, Atticus." This is how I know that he was repetitive and everyone was very curious why his questions were so irrelevant and continually repeated throughout the trial. I couldn't really understand how his plan would lead to the verdict.
Suspense is killing me because I want to know if Tom Robinson is guilty or not.
"Our father didn't do anything. He worked in an office, not in a drugstore. Atticus did not drive a dump-truck for the county, he was not a sheriff, he did not farm, work in a garage, or do anything that could possibly arouse the admiration of anyone...He dd not do things our classmates' fathers did: he never went hunting, he did not play poker or fish or drink or smoke." (118) In the beginning of the novel, Atticus was described as very ancient. He was not like the rest of the men in Maycomb, because he was always so serious and had hard work ethics since he worked in his office most of the times and kept to himself. He was not like any other individual out there, but became his own person. Atticus was always said to be "...sitting in the livingroom and reading." (118)This is recognized throughout the trial of Tom Robinson. His cleverness and knowledge played a big role in the trial. His ethics when it comes to questioning witnesses is way different, unlike Mr. Gilmer.
Overall I strongly believe that Atticus can win this trial for Tom Robinson. He seems to know what he is doing and isn't breaking a sweat while doing it. I can't wait to see the results on the verdict. Will people's views change after Tom Robinson wins the trial? Will the Maycomb community grow more angry and start a riot? What will change?
The reason I believe Atticus differs from others in Maycomb is that he has spent so much of his time in the world of books that he has thought of life differently than others have. Some of the stories and novels he has read could have influenced his view of how people should be seen, not by the color of their skin but based on their way of life(such as their jobs and attitudes toward their community). If I were Atticus I don't think i would care about what race people are because I'd be too busy trying to take care of Jem and Scout by teaching them lessons that would benefit them later on as they grow. He allowed them to bond with Calpurnia and let her take them to her part of the town where they experienced church in the eyes of colored folk. Plus, I agree with you how Atticus does what he needs to get the job done. When he keeps most of his thoughts to himself, I think the reason he does is because there are so few people(excluding Calpurnia, Jem & Scout) in Maycomb that may be able to understand his thoughts(his own sister doesn't understand him at times).
ReplyDeleteI hope you weren't disappointed like I was with the verdict and how things turned out with Tom.
By the way, let me know if I'm missing things about Atticus or enlighten me about your thoughts.