To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 18-19 Journal Response

In To Kill a Mockingbird, the author included striking details that added depth to particular passages. For example, when Dill get upset and Scout takes him outside, Dill says "I don't care one speck. It ain't right, somehow it ain't right to do 'em that way. Hasn't anybody got Amy business talkin' like that—it just makes me sick" (199). This shows how Dill is being empathetic of Tom Robinson. He understands Tom's situation (to an extent) and believes that he shouldn't be treated in a disrespectful manner because he was black. This also reveals how although Dill does still have some childish qualities, he is able to feel empathy towards others in certain situations. Most of the residents of Maycomb want Tom to be proven guilty simply because he is black. They look down upon the Ewell's but take Mayella's side when up against a different race. Harper Lee uses striking details to add depth to the novel.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, the author adds specific details to provoke thoughts throughout the novel. For instance, when on the witness stand, Mayella says "Long's he keeps on callin' me ma'am an sayin' Miss Mayella. I don't hafta take his sass, I ain't called upon to take it (182). This shows how Mayella is offended by Atticus calling her "ma'am" and "miss" because she thinks he is making fun if her. It reveals a bit about what Mayella is used to and how she is treated. It's a little sad how she is not familiar with the politeness that is used by Atticus because of how badly she is usually treated. This might make one feel sorry for Mayella because she may not deem herself to be worthy of polite terms in result of the infrequency that they are used towards her. Additionally, this demonstrates how forlorn Mayella might be feeling because she doesn't have any friends and isn't used to being respected. Throughout the novel, the Harper Lee includes striking details in order to provoke one's thoughts.

To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 16-17 Journal Response

In To Kill a Mockingbird there are many parts where the author includes important specific details. For example, when the court was being filled, one person said to another "Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That's what I don't like about it" (162). This explains that even though Atticus didn't choose to defend Tom Robinson, he still fully intends to try to win the case. This ties into many of Atticus' beliefs and how people along with himself view him. This detail shows reveals that Atticus may not have originally planned on defending Tom Robinson but now that it was assigned to him, he is going to give it his all and not let the town bring him down. Harper Lee included numerous details that revealed a bit more about Atticus' character.

The author includes many lessons that Atticus believes are important. For example, when Atticus says "You never really understand until you consider things from his point of view until you climb into his skin and walk around in it" (30). This was said early on in the book but demonstrates Atticus' view on empathy and how he believes it is important to be empathetic. Furthermore, in chapter 16 when Atticus says

To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 13-14 Response

In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there were numerous times when the author incorporated a lesson into a passage. For example, when Atticus asked Scout if she wanted Aunt Alexandra to stay, she responded "[she] said [she] would like it very much which was a lie, but one must lie under certain circumstances and at all times when one can't do anything about them (128). This was a very important message because it aids one I'm avoiding an uncomfortable situation. This could be applied to various situations especially in social relationships. Harper Lee is saying sometimes it's necessary to tell a lie in order to avoid a bad situation that could upset several people. The author expresses deeper meanings in the details she includes.

In chapter fourteen of To Kill a Mockingbird, the author included details that could be potentially foreshadowing an upcoming event. For example, when talking to Dill, Scout asks "Why do you reckon Boo Radley's never run off?" To which Dill responds "Maybe he doesn't have anywhere to run off to...." (144). This detail was very thought provoking and it is important that the author included it. This introduces the thought that maybe Boo Radley did intend to run off but thought it was better to just stay put. If Boo Radley had run off, he may even leave his house every once in a while. It would be a whole different situation and Scout and Jem probably wouldn't have learned some of the lessons they were taught concerning Boo Radley and his privacy. It was outstanding for Harper Lee to include this part of the book especially when ending a chapter. Throughout the story, the author includes numerous details that could foreshadow future events.

To Kill a Mockingbird chapters 11-12 response

I was very surprised in chapter eleven of To Kill a Mockingbird. The character Mrs. Dubose who is a wicked old lady who lives in the neighborhood. She constantly harasses Scout and Jem whenever they walk by. When she takes it too far, Jem cuts all of the flowers off of a bush in her yard which results in him having to read to her everyday. Jem and Scout proceed to go to her house and she insults them more but they just let it pass. Even though he is aware of how much Mrs. Dubose insults him, Atticus doesn't blame her for it because she is entitled to her opinion and is very sick. By the end of chapter eleven Mrs. Dubose dies in a surprising way. Shockingly, Jem is very upset and cries because he is given a flower by Mrs. Dubose as a peace offering before she passed.

To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 9+10 Reflection

To Kill a Mockingbird has numerous insightful messages that are expressed at certain times. For example, when Jem says "Atticus is real old, but I wouldn't care of he couldn't do anything—I wouldn't care if he couldn't do a blessed thing" (Lee 99). This represents the respect Jem has for Atticus. It expresses how Jem doesn't care about Atticus' skills in life because he doesn't really find those as important. It is a difficult concept to understand but Jem doesn't mind what his father can and can't do, Atticus is still his hero because he is his father. It may be because Jem lost his mother when he was young and has Atticus in place of both a mother and a father. Regardless, Jem does not base his respect for Atticus on what he can and can not do, but rather his character.

The author incorporates messages through specific thoughts and actions of the characters. For instance, when Scout thinks "But [she] never figured out how Atticus knew [she] was listening, and it was not until many years later that [she] realized he wanted [Scout] to hear every word he said" (Lee 89). This expresses how Atticus had the full knowledge that Scout was listening to himself and his brother about their situation and wanted her to hear what they were saying. It revealed how Atticus wanted to raise his children and what he thought were wise boundaries. I can apply this to my own life because sometimes people do things a certain way to put on an appearance in order to be portrayed a certain way. This demonstrated how one can deceive another in order to benefit the one being deceived. Harper Lee uses the characters' thoughts and actions to get a message across.

Chapters 7+8 Journal Reflection To Kill a Mockingbird

In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there were a few especially interesting events that took place. For example when Jem and Scout are talking with Mr. Radley, Mr. Radley explains "Tree's dying. You plug 'em with cement when they're sick" (Lee 62). This clarifies that it was indeed Mr. Radley who filled the knot-hole with cement. It was strange how soon after Jem and Scout wrote the note thanking the person who left the items there, that Mr. Radley filled it in. Furthermore, when speaking with Atticus about the same tree he says "That tree's as healthy as you are, Jem" (Lee 63). This reveals that Mr. Radley may have been lying about his motive for filling in the tree. This also indicates that Mr. Radley may not have wanted the children taking the things from the hole or that he was not aware that this transaction was being made which cause him to be upset. An interesting turn of events included the situation with the filling of the knot-hole in chapter 6 of To Kill a Mockingbird.

In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there were several intriguing events that happened. For instance, when Scout "looked down and found [her]self clutching a brown woolen blanket [she] was wearing around [her] shoulders, squaw-fashion" (Lee 71). This shows that Scout was unaware that she had a blanket around her until it was brought to her attention by Atticus. When Miss Maudie's house caught fire, Scout and Jem were to stay outside the Radley's house to keep safe and the next morning Scout had the blanket wrapped around her. In addition, when Scout is wondering who put the blanket around her Atticus responds "Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn't know it when he put the blanket around you" (Lee 72). This proves that it must indeed have been Arthur Radley who gave Scout the blanket because everyone else was gathered outside Miss Maudie's house to help with the fire. It also indicates that Arthur Radley might have been the one who put he things in the knot-hole for the two children because he seems to have a fondness of them. There were numerous intriguing event a that took place in chapters 7 and 8 or To Kill a Mockingbird.

Chapter 5+6 To Kill a Mockingbird

Empathy is a developing topic in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee shown through several characters. For instance, when Scout thinks "As [she] was the last to leave, [she] saw her sink down into her chair and bury her head in her arms. Had her conduct been more friendly toward [Scout], [she] would have felt sorry for her" (Lee 22). This shows how Scout was feeling empathetic of Miss Caroline because she was tired and defeated. Scout wanted to feel sympathy for her but since Miss Caroline hadn't been empathetic towards Scout, Scout was a little let down with her new teacher. Furthermore, when Miss Maudie said "Arthur Radley just stays in the house, that's all, wouldn't you stay in the house if you didn't want to come out?" (Lee 44). This displays the empathy that Miss Maudie has for Arthur Radley because she understands him. This also reveals that she does not want to disturb the Radleys because she thinks that they have the right to be alone and do as they please. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, you can see the devolving topic of empathy in the first six chapters.

Pain is Beauty

Dream Board

I realized how long it will take to achieve each of my dreams. I knew what they were before I just hadn't figured out the timing for them.

Some of my goals will be pretty difficult to reach but I have planned out generally how I will accomplish them. I now have a better understanding of a plan to do this.

I noticed how much my goals could affect not only me but the people around me. A few of my dreams actually involve other people. The people around me could either really help me out or really set me back.

To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 3-4 Extended Character Reflection

Jordan Miller
Mr. Beattie
English 1 Honors
1 November 2012

Atticus is the father of Jem and scout along with the boss of Calpurnia. Atticus seems to be motivated by his children. He expresses his need to provide for his family by working as a lawyer. Atticus doesn't seem to have any weaknesses so far, but he does have many strengths. When Scout was upset about him teaching her to read, he identified the problem and fixed it. I was a little bit surprised how his children refer to him as Atticus or sir rather than dad, father, etc. this represents how Atticus stands for equality among all by putting his children on the same level as himself. In addition, whenever Scout or Jem ask about the Radleys he says to mind their own business and to not bother them. I predict that Atticus will play an important role in the story and act as an equalizer within his family and the whole town.

To Kill a Mockingbird Response Chapters 1-2

Jordan Miller
Mr. Beattie
31 October 2012
English 1 Honors

The author uses specific details, phrases, images, and words to illustrate the story while telling it. For example, when Scout describes "The shutters and doors of the Radley house were closed on Sundays, another thing alien to Maycomb's ways: closed doors meant illness and cold weather only" (Lee 9) . This shows how the Radley family is on Sundays which was a very important day in Maycomb. They do practice the same religion as the church but they stay in their house most of them time, especially on Sundays. Furthermore, when Jem describes Boo "...about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that's why his hands were bloodstained— if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off. There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time" (Lee 13). This exemplifies how there are rumors made up about the Radleys and Jem could have been exaggerating some of Boo's features. If it is an accurate description, this shows how the author is using specific details to display this character. Using specific details, phrases, images, and words allows the author to help the reader visualize what they are reading.

The author could also be using these specific details, words, phrases, and images to allow the reader a look into her own life. For instance, when talking to Dill about his father Scout asks " ‘then if he's not dead you've got one, haven't you?’ Dill blushed and Jem told [her] to hush..." (Lee 8). This may mean that Dill's father ran out on his family and hasn't seen them in a very long time. Also, this could represent how Harper Lee's father may have done the same thing to her and her family. In addition, the author describes "Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it" (Lee 5). This could represent a town that Harper Lee once grew up or currently lives in. It could also just be representing how its a small town where everyone seems to be involved with everything. Using these specific details, words, phrases, and images could allow the author to symbolize events in her own life.