When I found out that we had to read a book over the summer I thought it would be a drag and too complex to understand. But then I went to go buy it and told a few of my cousins that i had to read To Kill A Mockinbrid, by Harpeer Lee they said it was a really good book; all though I had my doubts when I started to read the first chapter. It was boring and so hard to keep reading but as the story progressed it got interstening and hard not to want to read on.
As I read the novel I noticed that I could relate to Scout in some ways, such as having an older brother. Even though Jem is only four years older than her and my brother is seven years older than me- but it's all the same. Jem is a character who is very confident in himself, very proud, and protective of his sister. All of which my brother is as well. such as when Jem takes up Dill's dare to go and touch the Radley house, even though Jem is scared he's not about to let his pride down or any dare. My brother on the other hand would do anything but swallow his pride, he doesnt care what anyone says. He thinks he's so smart and going to be a millionaire in the near future- a fact i deny and think will never happen. I think all older brothers can be overprotective and jerks, when it comes to their little sisters. For example, when Scout dares Jem to jump off the roof he accepts but turns to Scout and asks her what would happen to her if something were to happen to him. Also the fact that Jem went up to Scout at school and asked her how her first day was going. When she answered that she hated it, he tried to make her feel better by telling her that it was the same for him to but that school got better as you got older. Just like Jem by brother can be all caring, sweet, and smiles when he wants; which is great because we have a great time when we hang out together (that is most of the time :D). My brother can be so overprotective and noise of the things i do with my life, yes at times it annoys the hell out of me but all the same it tells me that he's always going to be by my side. For the long run i think I can say that all older brothers can be jerks when it comes to hanging with their friends. In the story Jems starts to hang with just Dill and tells Scout that she's acting too much of a chicken and a girl, so she can't play with them. Just like when my brother always did when i was younger 'No, you can't play but why don't you go get us some food?' ugh! Guess he was too embarassed to get beaten up by his little sister in a viedo game in front of his friends. It was such a piss off that all of a sudden just because his friends or our older guy cousins were over I couldn't even chill in his room!.
Scout on the other hand also reminds me of myself at a younger age at some points. Such as when she tells Jem not to go to the Radely house, that if he did she would tell their father. When I was young and my brother was up to something I always confronted him and told him that I would tell mum if he even tried to do it. Of course like Jem my brother would threaten me by say something, so I would tell him to let me in on the task- just like Scout. Also just like Scout I was always out with the boys, tagging along and doing whatever they did or hoping they would let me at some point. :]
I think this book so far is a great read [other than the blah opening], and I can't wait to read on and find out what happens next in Maycomb.
~Sim ;]
Gursimran,
ReplyDeleteI understand that the first page was not as interesting at first. What did Jem breaking his arm have to do with the story? But as you read toward the end, read the beginning again. You might find something surprising at how it connects to the conclusion of the novel. Happy reading!
Gursimran, having connection is a great strategy to better understand the novel. From the moments that you have mentioned in your post, I feel as if you understand the story really well and you know Scout and Jem in depth. When you have connection, it forces you to dwell more into the character.
ReplyDeleteJem and Scout are probably like any brother and sister. There are times when jem is protective of Scout and then there are times when he tells her to leave him alone. As you read on, you will notice how him growing up has to do with him telling Scout to leave him alone. Along with his physical changes, he starts to get a change in behavior where he starts to show maturity.
I had the same impression as you when I first started reading the book. Nothing made sense at first. On the first page, I was thinking "Why am I reading this?" It was like what does all this have anything to do with what is going to happen later in the story. But now that Joyce commented to this, I am excited to read further and get to the conclusion to find out the connection to the beginning of the story.
Now that Joyce has made it sound like the conclusion is going to be more interesting than the beginning, I am really looking forward to continue this novel.