Period 2 - TKAM Discussion Questions - Ms. Bellon's Classroom

Period 2 - TKAM Discussion Questions

5/6/2013

In order to keep up with the remaining sections of To Kill A Mockingbird, we will begin online discussions, starting today.

Your responsibilities are to keep up with the strands below this post. I will post three strands over the course of this week. For each discussion question, your job is to respond with ONE original post and at least TWO comments on others' original posts throughout the week. I will start grading the responses next Monday. I will also respond to the posts that you all create.

(One Original Post + Two Responsive Posts) x 3 discussion questions = 100 in the gradebook. If I press you on your responses, feel free to defend yourself, but do so respectfully.

THE GROUND RULES:
1. Try to be thoughtful in your responses.
2. Use text evidence. Paraphrasing is okay.
3. No rude, vulgar, or derogatory commentary.
4. Stick to your own class posts.
5. Encourage discussion. Feel free to ask more questions of your classmates.

234 Comments

Ms. B

5/6/2013 03:33:08 am

QUESTION 1-
In Chapter 24, the ladies of Maycomb come to the Finch house for high tea. In the middle of their conversation, they begin to have conversation that makes Scout question their attitudes toward the black community of Maycomb...and infuriates Miss Maudie in the process. So, the question: What are the different attitudes regarding the black population of Maycomb, according to the conversation? Also, how do these attitudes help to explain Tom Robinson's conviction?

victor perez

5/8/2013 11:40:14 pm

they show hypocrisy they act they way that they don't feel they are putting on a show to not be seen as racist women by their peers.

Rachel Reprogle

5/8/2013 11:45:34 pm

I do not agree with Victor, I dont feel the woman of the town are putting on any type of show. They are very straight forward with their feelings aswell as there ideals.

Kingsley Daniel

5/9/2013 12:04:13 am

I agree with victor, the women of the town are acting very two-faced. I feel as if they are not expressing how they really feel.

Julia Whitehead

5/9/2013 12:06:25 am

I do not agree with Victor also, I feel that during the descussion at high tea the women were just expressing how they feel about this topic. I dont think it was meant to put on a "show" either. Its just how they feel and shouldnt be assumed something different. To conclude my comment I agree with Kalyn and Rachel completely.

Ms. B

5/9/2013 12:38:48 am

I wonder if the show that Victor is talking about is the show of 'being white' - in this case, being white references being one of the white community of Maycomb. These women might be living in the midst of the Depression, but they are also having high tea together - a mark of the privileged, empowered class. Yet, they are women...they are NOT at the very top of the American power dynamic. This might be my follow up question: Do the women of Maycomb put forth their ideals for one another to show they do have some sort of power over someone, or are they demonstrating that they are simply holding to the ideals of white Maycomb, where it is okay to feel sorry for an African tribe (yet discriminate against the members of their own community)?

Arianna Carr

5/9/2013 03:52:13 am

I feel that Aunt Alexandra in particular is the most hypocritical within the group. Though she is not as offensive as Miss Merriwether, she allows for the conversation to continue though she knows that it is wrong. Who do you guys think is the most offensive out of all the ladies at the table?

J dog

5/9/2013 03:53:14 am

I agree with victor and i think that the women were just trying to act proper so they don't come off as racists

Elaine M.

5/9/2013 03:55:14 am

I agree with Victor. Some of the things they mention should better be left unsaid. I feel they weren't trying to appear racist, but instead it just seemed rude

Ms. B

5/9/2013 04:03:01 am

Note: J-Dog - Joseph Wort.

Hoorain Momin

5/9/2013 04:08:35 am

I dont think that they are being hypocrites, but i think they are being two-faced. i feel that they have no choice but to have different opinions with different types of people that they are around. I think that theu are just trying to fit in with their peers!

Hoorain Momin

5/9/2013 04:16:32 am

I don't think that the women are being hypocrites, but I think that they are being two-faced! I think that they have no choice but to have different opinions with different people! they just want to fit in?

Amy Chen

5/12/2013 07:35:39 am

I don't think the ladies are putting on a show either; but I think they are acting very superior (especially Mrs. Merriwether) towards the black community of Maycomb..she gossips about the attitudes of the colored cooks and field hands after the trial & she also refers to Tom and his wife as "darkies," and in my opinion this is a very condescending sort of nickname

Rachel Pijnnaken

5/12/2013 11:03:01 am

Replying to Arianna's question of: Who do you guys think is the most offensive out of all the ladies at the table?
I think the most offensive is Miss Meriwether. She says how the Missionary work of bringing the African American tribe to Christianity has made them better people, yet she still talks about them with disgust and unreasonable hatred.

John O'Donnell

5/13/2013 07:47:00 am

i actually agree with victor, that they want to cover their double standard, by caring for other races abroad, but still keeping prejudices at home.

victor perez

5/8/2013 11:44:07 pm

they are hyprocritical citizens they are acting to not seem racist to their peers when in reality they are racist people they are hiding their true colors from the community of maycomb.

Kalyn Lindley

5/8/2013 11:52:28 pm

I do not agree with victor either the women are not puting on a show, they are expressing their true feelings and thoughts.

Hannah Harris

5/9/2013 12:04:54 am

I'm going to have to disagree with you Victor. The women I believe actually do feel bad for the Mrunas tribe only for the reason that these blackpeople do not live with them. The reason they are racist is because these black men live in this county and determine the way Maycomb will be preceived. I believe the women are not lying or putting on a show, this is really how they feel.

Seamus gildea

5/9/2013 04:00:52 am

These ladies are also very concerned with staying in good standing and not offending any of the other ladies. They are almost scared that if they are the ones who stand up for the black population that they will be looked down upon as a lesser member of maycomb

Jonathan wang

5/9/2013 04:18:03 am

I agree with victor. The women are only openly sharing their opinions with each other. They aren't straight up telling to the blacks that the women hate them.

Julia Whitehead

5/12/2013 10:16:00 am

I am going to have to agree with " J Dog" LOL. I agree because I feel that the women were just stating how they feel, and trying to make themselves not sound as racists.

Chandni P.

5/12/2013 10:31:24 am

I disagree with Victor. I don't think the women are being hypocritical. They are actually showing what they believe.

Hannah Harris

5/8/2013 11:53:56 pm

When all the ladies come to meet at the Finch's house, the subject of the Mrunas tribe comes to the table. Mrs. Marriwether especially begins to talk about his tribe almost sympathetically. She begins to talk about how the tribe was left in the jungle all alone and no white man ever came near tyhem except for J. Grimes Everett. If I hadn't know better I would have believed that these women feel bad and might even be inf avor of helping the black men of Maycomb county. However, this attitude is the complete opposite of how these women of Maycomb county treat the black men. These men are treated awfully especially by these white women. This may be because Maycomb county seems to be precieved in a specific way becuse of the black men. Also, the women feel superior to the black men which makes the way they treat black men different. In Tom Robinson's trial however, i believe Tom was ruled guilty of the crime because of almost a sterotype! The secret of Maycomb county has come out that there is much racism in the county, and I wholeheartedly belive Tom Robinson was convicted of the crime based on a preconceived idea. In this trial instead of innocent until proven guilty Tom Robinson was guilty instead of proven innocent because of the racism throughout to county of Maycomb.

Rachel Reprogle

5/9/2013 12:05:24 am

It's sort of ironic how the Maycomb women think they're so proper and elite. Everyone views them as the bet of the best in the town. But the sad thing is there behavior is truly reducible and improper. Bad talking and stereotyping is not proper behavior. It's honestly sad that the town thinks this behavior is viewed as elite.

Jonathan Wang

5/9/2013 04:12:54 am

I believe that the women think they are so elite because like they say, "they are prevleged". This will give them
an advantage for things such as education making the blacks seem lower.

Kingsley Danuel

5/9/2013 10:24:52 am

I agree with premiss of Rachel's point. They are not as proper as advertised and their behavior is truly sad.

Sarah Thomas

5/11/2013 04:04:52 pm

That is so true. They make it seem like they are so nice to the community, but they are just hypocrites. They say how they feel bad for the black population, but they do nothing about it.

Mallory Nicholson

5/12/2013 05:34:49 am

I agree with Rachel. Those ladies are judgmental about other people but when you look at them, they aren't so perfect themselves. They believe they are good people.

Maggie Cheung

5/12/2013 06:04:49 am

I agree with Rachel here. It's ridiculous to think that the ladies think they are so high and better than everyone else when really, the things they are saying are rude and discriminatory. It really shows the bad side of the people and that the perfect little town they live in is not so perfect after all.

Albert chen

5/12/2013 06:33:47 am

I agree with Rachel. Since they think they are so elite, they should be helping the communities. Instead of saying trash about the black communities,they should helping them

Meghan Pinfold

5/12/2013 07:29:03 am

I agree. The people of the town are two faced and not on any level proper.

Elaine Messiha

5/12/2013 10:11:29 pm

Rachel's point is so true. Although they were grown a certain way, I know they were not taught about stereotyping and gossiping. That's not very proper

Hoorain Momin

5/9/2013 12:07:54 am

I think that the ladies are being very honest with each other, but i don't think that they are putting on a show. I feel as though that these women have mo other choice but to feel this way because once again, if the towns people found out a their true feelings, these women would feel judged.

Rachel Reprogle

5/9/2013 03:47:01 am

I agree with hoorain, the women aren't sugar coating there opinions, they are being very direct.

Kendall Wentz

5/9/2013 03:54:27 am

I agree with Hoorain MOSTLY. I agree they are being honest with each other, but I feel that they are putting on a little bit of a show. I feel that they want to be better than everyone (even their friends) and try to be a better person than the other. "Calpurnia wore her stiffest starches apron. She carried a tray of Charlotte" (pg 260). Calpurnia wore her BEST apron just to impress the people around her and show off what she has. So even though the women are being honest they are kind of having a competition.

pooja t

5/9/2013 06:11:48 am

I agree that these ladies act this way, and that they dont have much of a choice, even if they think otherwise.

Meghan Pinfold

5/12/2013 07:31:18 am

I agree. The women speak whatever comes to their mind no matter how rude it is and do truly believe they are above other people.

Cameron H.

5/12/2013 08:08:05 am

I agree with Hoorain, i think the ladies are just being honest. Because if they were being untruthful they would get more backlash than if they wernt.

Chandni P.

5/12/2013 10:34:31 am

I agree with Hoorain. If the town actually found out their true feelings, they would be viewed differently by others in the town.

Ms. B

5/12/2013 11:43:14 am

Good catch, Kendall. Cal doesn't want to lose face, either. There's a level of separation between the pro-Tom women vs. the anti-Tom women, but in the end, there is this sense that they are all women who are forced to live to the utmost of a certain standard. If they don't perform to that certain standard, they know that they become gossip fodder for high tea...and none of them wants to be in that position. Cal deals with enough...if I were her, I'd wear my best apron too.

Alana Larcombe

5/12/2013 02:16:40 pm

I agree with Hoorain, i think the women are pressured into agreeing with each other.They don't want to be different, because they don't want to be judged by the others in the town

Elaine Messiha

5/12/2013 10:05:52 pm

I agree Hoorain. The women aren't trying to hurt anyones feelings, they're just being honest with either. Like you would with your best friend

Rachel Pijnnaken

5/13/2013 12:11:23 pm

I agree they are very rude and 2 faced.

Albert Chen

5/9/2013 12:08:16 am

It's weird how they feel some sympathy for the Mrunas tribe in Africa, when they said "distress". While in Montgomery, they viewed the blacks as lower society people and treat them unfairly.I believe this issue between the whites and blacks dates all the way to back to slavery.Back in the day, most of the black population were slaves to white owners.Since they are slaves, they are treated more differently and the White feel a sense of superiority over them. Even after the war, slavery may have ended, but the emotion of the people won't. Also Montgomery is in the "south", therefore racism can be more of a problem than places in the north.

Arianna Carr

5/9/2013 04:08:15 am

I agree with Albert on the whole superiority complex of the whites. Their acknowledgement of the Mrunas tribe and their distress does display that they do have a sense of how people should be treated. Them being so biased towards the black is only a result of their past and what they've always grown up knowing. It's kind of hard for them to break this mentality.

pooja t

5/9/2013 06:16:46 am

I think that these ladies grew up with certain ideas and morals, and its really hard to change what you believe, even when you know that you are wrong. It takes a lot to just change your views.

Kendall Wentz :D

5/10/2013 01:35:06 am

I agree that it is a bit weird that some of the women do feel bad for the Mrunas tribe but then they don't feel anything towards the colored ladies in their town. But you have to take into consideration that they were raised to believe what they believe now, and they haven't learned to treat them differently/ better.

Sarah Thomas

5/11/2013 04:16:20 pm

I also agree with Albert on how the white felt a sense of superiority over the black. They thought of themselves as the "better and smarter" race. Because of this feeling, Tom's conviction could easily be figured that he would be put in jail. There were not enough Atticus-like whites to keep Tom safe.

Mallory Nicholson

5/12/2013 05:41:01 am

I agree with Albert. The past has effected how white people treat black people now. What people don't realize is that skin color doesn't determine your class ranking or make you any better than other people who have a different skin color.

Cameron H.

5/12/2013 08:10:41 am

I agree with Albert, i think the only reason the women are being the way they are because of the way they were raised. They all have their own morals, and values, but they were also taught to believe the things their parents and elders said. So it's all in the way they were raised.

Ms. B

5/12/2013 11:44:33 am

Do we face the same thing in our society today? Do we look at changes in society and have trouble adjusting, mainly because we were raised with a certain set of values?

Alana Larcombe

5/12/2013 02:02:45 pm

I agree with Pooja.. Your parents are your role models and when your young you follow in their footsteps. After believing in something for so long, you cant admit that maybe your wrong.

Elaine Messiha

5/12/2013 10:08:14 pm

Albert's point is very true. It's surprising how they act a certain way to the way they do.

Kingsley Daniel

5/9/2013 12:08:51 am

The diffrent attitudes include people like Bob Ewell who despise everything that has to do with blacks. On the other hand there are people like Attitcus and his family who have no problem with blacks. It explains why Tom robinson was convicted because there is more of Bob Ewell's kind than Atticus in Maycomb

Seamus Gildea

5/9/2013 06:16:48 am

There may actually be more Atticuses than we think. In a town like Maycomb people tend to stick together so the people are used to Bob Ewell's perspective on race and are going to stick to that until they realize that the views Atticus Finch holds arent going to be viewed poorly any longer. Once a few people join Atticus' "side", there will most likely be a drastic shift that leaves Bob Ewell looking for some people who will agree with him

Elaine M.

5/9/2013 03:51:48 am

Scout's attitude toward the black community after the tea is a new understanding of what they go through. Watching Calpuria serve the people made scout appreciate them a little more

Hoorain Momin

5/9/2013 03:59:33 am

I agree with Elaine. I think that seeing Calpurnia serve the women, even though they are being very direct with their opinions, allows scout to appreciate them more!

Kieran Smith

5/9/2013 06:39:00 am

I also feel like Scout's attitude was also adjusted by Miss Maudie's retort towards the ladies. The fact that she was standing up for Scout's father as well as the fact that the other ladies were outright disrespecting her father's beliefs gives Scout a new perspective. She starts to understand how the majority of the people think and it almost turns her further away from their prejudice.

Phillip Valdecanas

5/9/2013 08:56:26 am

Elaine has a point. Another factor that requires consideration is the fact that Calpurnia does not speak at all amongst the women at tea(besides offering more refreshments and sweets). More specifically, Cal does not react, and almost seems indifferent to the brash comments Mrs. Merriweather puts forth. I think it is quite saddening that Cal has become "imunne" to the insulting comments that the ladies make. Cal knows that she has no power in fighting these comments made by superior white women, but must accept them. In her mind this is how things were meant to be. She knows this is not fair, but she still obides:( (At least Aunt Alexandra admires "the ease and grace in which she handled heavy loads of dainty things.")

Maggie Cheung

5/9/2013 11:30:03 am

I agree with Kieran here. Scout starts to see and compare the different people of Maycomb when she hears Maudie's retort to Mrs. Merriweather. She starts to separate the prejudice typical people in her town from people like her father and Miss Maudie.

pooja t

5/9/2013 04:01:13 am

Some people in Maycomb are the people who say that they feel bad for the black people, but act as if they dont care at all. Others go out of their way to show that they dont care about black people and that they are 'superior'. Still others actually care and believe that back people and white people are equal, like Miss Maudie. She gets mad because the other ladies start talking about this in front of Scout.

Arianna Carr

5/9/2013 04:03:09 am

Within Aunt Alexandria's social circle the women have similar dispositions towards the blacks in Maycomb, but differnt attitudes about them. I believe that they all naturally have a superior attitude towards the blacks considering the time and the way things were where they lived, but whether they all felt good about that fact, I don't think that's the case. This is evident is Miss Maudie and how though she partakes in the conversation, she does not feel comfortable at all. The views of certain characters like Miss Merriwether shows how the people honestly viewed the blacks despite their convictions of loving humanity. Their conversation really is not even that sympathetic of Tom Robinson or his family. Merriwether refers to his wife as "that darky's wife." Their conversation reflects the noncaring attitude of the people of Maycomb, being content with knowing that Tom Robinson really had no chance at being found innocent.

Phillip Valdecanas

5/9/2013 10:43:09 am

Furthering Arianna's discussion: I do also believe that Mrs. Merriweather exhibits blatant ignorance. Aside from possessing knowledge and experiance of how to be a lady, and what a lady should be, she certanly lacks education of the professional side of etiquette and from what can be infered, is obtuse. We can tell that life is a physical pursuit(looks, status etc) in her eyes. Her statements are rather impetuous and agonizingly candid. I wonder if this is the result of her own conciet in being a privalaged white woman.( what do you think??) Whatever the reason, she should be compelled to come to the realization that she is living in a world of her own;something far from the reality of Maycomb County(this is also true with other women present at the meeting). "...I tell you there's nothing more distracting than a sulky darky, their mouths go down to here. Just ruins your day to have 'em in the kitchen..." Oh please. Stop your foolishness and come to your senses. If it wasnt for her skin, i think she would be lost. (at least more than she already is).

Jonathan wang

5/9/2013 04:03:52 am

Mrs. Farrow shows that she firmly believes that blacks can't be like the highly placed whites. She explains that you can't educate, or turn them into Christians no matter how much you try.

Joseph wort

5/9/2013 04:06:42 am

I agree because these ladies act like try are above the black people act them like their not human

Albert chen

5/12/2013 06:40:26 am

I don' t agree that it's impossible to educate the black population. It's just the way they interact with them. I feel that they are capable of teaching them, but they chose not to because of their prejudice.

Joseph Wort

5/9/2013 04:05:31 am

These ladies are hypocrites and rude

Sarah Thomas

5/11/2013 04:10:44 pm

They talk about the black tribe, Mrunas, that live in the jungle. The women have a conversation about how they feel bad for them. They also say something about the way their servants act ever since Tom's trial, but they don't understand how the black population feels. It shows how the rest of the community is too. None of the white folk realize the hard times that the black are going through. When Tomis on trial, Atticus is one of the very few white people that take his side. That is why Tom was proven guilty, and because the jury was only white men.

Kendall Wentz

5/12/2013 05:36:02 am

QUESTION #1:
The ladies of Maycomb first address the topic of the Mrunas. The ladies say ; "Oh child, those poor Mrunas" and "The poverty... the darkness... the immorality" (263). They feel sorry for the Mrunas, and say that they will pray, go to church/ spread the word. Then the talk about the black community of Maycomb and say that they need to know "what the rules are" and don't feel anything good towards the black community in THEIR OWN TOWN! This can help to explain Tom Robinson's conviction because the jury is most likely made of white men who agree with the Maycomb ladies.

Mallory Nicholson

5/12/2013 05:55:51 am

Question #1
The women are very opinionated about the tribe and black people in general. Black people are definitely not given the same respect and equality. Many people already have their opinions about black people before they even talk to one or get to know them. So when it came time for Tom Robinson's trial, many people already had their decision before the final word had been said. Just by skin color people start judging.

Cameron H.

5/12/2013 08:06:11 am

The different attitudes among the Maycomb residents are for show. The ladies all feel the need to put on a show covering up how they really feel, and going along with the next person. They help show why Tom Robinson was convicted because the people are all to scared that the tow will turn against them if they say he's not guilty.

Chandni P.

5/12/2013 10:26:09 am

Question 1- I don't think the people in Maycomb are entirely racist, atleast not all of them. The opinions during high tea differ. There are some people who actually care about the blacks, but on the other hand there are those people who completely hate the blacks too.

Question 2- After proven innocent by Atticus, the jury find Tom guilty. Why? Because the town consists of mostly white people and is racist and Tom is black. If the town wasn't racist, Tom would be innocent, then he would have never been sent to jail where his escape led him to being shot. I believe it's the town's fault for Tom's death.

Question 3-
I think Harper Lee separates the book into two parts to show how much the children have grown. In the beginning, they were sort of immature and didn't really understand things. But after witnessing the trial they seem to become more mature and understanding.

Amy Chen

5/12/2013 10:21:02 pm

I kinda agree with your response to question 2, but Tom was innocent and the reason why he went to jail wasn't only because of the town's racism, it had to do with the lies of Mayella and Bob Ewell and the prejudice that already existed in the town before the trial

John O'Donnell

5/12/2013 11:20:00 am

do you think that scout ever actually maintains her own values and viewpoints, or does she allow them to be filtered through the people she encounters?

Ms. B

5/12/2013 11:50:19 am

Valid question, indeed. I wonder if she is retelling this as the formative process of her viewpoints, or to show how much she has been influenced by her surroundings. We do the same thing though...which is part of the reason why this book is so relevant to so many people. We change, conform and rebel, evaluate, and act according to those who surround us.

Alana Larcombe

5/12/2013 01:49:12 pm

Question 1.
I feel that the women are expressing fake feelings, just to fit in with all the other ladies in the town. They all think they are amazing, but in fact they are the complete opposite. they are rude and very judgmental toward the black population.

Kieran Smith

5/7/2013 12:15:45 pm

The fact that the ladies of Maycomb, particularly Mrs. Merriwether, speak with sympathy and pity when referring to the Mrunas tribe in Africa, while referring to the black community of Maycomb as dissatisfied and almost pathetic, displays a sense of conceit that hangs over the women. It seems like the ladies think of the Mrunas as creatures so filthy and inhumane that they should be treated like animals and that they could not possibly be responsible for their own actions. This state of mind suggests that the women actually view the black population in Maycomb with some sense of humanity and responsibility, possibly because they live nearby or could be compared to these ladies. However, this does not mean that the black community is respected; the women treat them like dirt. The conversation about how the black population should be educated and helped out of its atrocious condition is only stopped when Miss Maudie reminds the ladies that this is Atticus's house, and while they are in it, they will respect everyone just as he does. The attitude of these ladies is likely endorsed by the majority of the town, giving reason for the jury's prejudiced decision.

Rachel Reprogle

5/8/2013 11:42:51 pm

I completely agree with Kieran. I think these woman are racist toward the Mrunas because they feel they are below them in the social class chain. They are probably very sterotypical. They are assuming that the black people of maycomb are somewhat equal to the blacks of mruna tribe. Even though Mrs. Maudie stood up for them, the attitudes of the women are unchanged. :)

Kalyn Lindley

5/9/2013 12:01:45 am

Rachel, you are right these women are very racist to the Mrunas because they not only feel bad but also talk down and feel they are at a higher standard. They also have the consumption all balcks are the same even comparing them to the blacks in maycomb.

Elaine Messiha

5/12/2013 10:18:49 pm

I completely agree. They were always taught that the Mrunas were below them and that's how they would act. Regardless of how they felt.

victor perez

5/8/2013 11:46:47 pm

i agree with you kieran because i also feel that they think that the mrunas tribe are below them on the social class.

Hannah Harris

5/8/2013 11:59:29 pm

I completely agree with you Kieran. Mrs. Merriwether felt mad for the Mrunas tribe! I believe they feel this way because they do not live with or near them. As you included in your comment, the black men of Maycomb county have a big responsibilty according to the women because the live with them and determine the way Maycomb country is precieved by others. The black community is definitely disrepected by all means but in Maycomb County there is a reason, not a good reason, but a reason for the racism throughout this county.

John O'Donnell

5/12/2013 11:11:59 am

i completely agree with this point, that, when removed from the situation, these ladies can see the horrors and shortcomings of the conditions in a group of people, but are unwilling to help fix a similar situation right in front of themselves.

Ms. B

5/8/2013 06:42:29 am

QUESTION 2 -
We learn in Chapter 25 that Tom Robinson is dead.

My question: Who is responsible for his death?

Hoorain

5/8/2013 11:42:23 pm

I think that Mayella Ewell is responsible for Tom Robinson's death because if she had told the truth in court about how her father was abusing her and not Tom, Tom would be proven innocent and Bob Ewell would be the one having to go to jail. Also, we know how Mayella lied because she didnt want to get beat by her father at home, but if she actually told the truth, her father would face punishment and not be able to hurt her. Therefore, i believe that Tom Robinson's death is to blame on Mayella Ewell.

Kendall Wentz

5/9/2013 04:01:11 am

I agree Hoorain, but I feel there could be more that could be the cause of his death.

Joseph wort

5/9/2013 04:03:07 am

It wasnt just Mayella that caused Tom to die, also her dad lied too

Elaine Messiha

5/9/2013 04:07:46 am

I agree with Hoorain. Although I don't believe it was all her fault. Her lie caused the death and he would probably still be alive it it wasn't for that lie

pooja t

5/9/2013 06:48:24 am

I agree. Sometimes fear can make people blind, and they will listen to what others tell them to do, whether it is right or wrong.

Sarah Thomas

5/11/2013 03:52:19 pm

I partly agree with Mayella being the cause. Even though her life was in danger, she put an innocent man in a worse problem. He did not deserve it. She should not have been so selfish as to put him in danger because she was scared. But then again, her father could have killed her if she didn't lie, and she was very afraid.

Mallory Nicholson

5/12/2013 04:55:54 am

I agree with Hoorain. Toms death, Toms sentence in jail, and Toms life changing all started with Mayella.

Jonathan Wang

5/12/2013 05:11:05 am

I agree, causing fear can lead to power for others. But i think that she was afraid that when her father is released, she would have to face a bigger punishment.

Albert Chen

5/12/2013 06:47:14 am

I don't believe that Mayella is totally to blame. She did lie , but it wouldn't have happen if her father, Bob Ewell, treated her like a slave.So Bob Ewell should also be responsible for the death of Tom

Meghan Pinfold

5/12/2013 07:44:19 am

I don't completely agree with this. Yes Mayella did lie to the court, but she was just in fear of being beaten. Mayella does play a major part in his death though.

Cameron H.

5/12/2013 08:15:08 am

I partially agree with Hoorain, I feel that Mayella had a part to play in him being sent to jail, but I also feel it was his own fault.

Julia Whitehead

5/12/2013 10:22:39 am

I agree with hoorain, but I dont completely think it is her fault, i think that even though she did lie and was trying to protect herself from getting beaten, that it was mainly the juries fault for basing off of race.

John O'Donnell

5/12/2013 11:25:35 am

i believe that the entire Ewell family is to blame for their self abuse, laziness, and then using Tom Robinson as a scapegoat for their problems.

Hannah harris

5/12/2013 09:29:08 pm

I completely agree with you hoorain. If ma yells had told the truth from the beginning Tom Robinson wouldnt be in jail in the first place. I whole heatedly believe because of mayella Tom Robinson is now dead.

Rachel Pijnnaken

5/13/2013 12:15:37 pm

I agree but I also the jury could be at blame.

victor perez

5/9/2013 12:06:46 am

the justice system is at fault it was corrupt because atticus put up a well built case fighting for tom's freedo but he knew tha case was over when mayell opened her mouth to screamaccording to the jury atticus had no case to save tom that is why i think that the justice system is at fault for tom's death.

Amy Chen

5/9/2013 03:56:13 am

I agree with Hoorain, I think that Mayella is at fault because she chose to lie in court and she knew that some of the biased people would side with her instead of hearing Tom Robinson's side of the story

Meghan Pinfold

5/12/2013 07:48:19 am

I agree. Due to the corrupt justice system there was no way that Tom Robinson would win this case and this eventually led to his death.

Joseph Wort

5/9/2013 03:56:01 am

I wouldn't want to say that it was a specific person i believe that the time period was responsible for his death. This was a very harsh time period for the black community i the south and i think that it was almost impossible to be innocent

Albert Chen

5/12/2013 06:52:38 am

I agree with Joseph that the time period help the death of Tom. The time period was before the civil right movement , and racism is a major problem at that time. Also the story took place in the SOUTH of the country.

Elaine Messiha

5/9/2013 04:05:17 am

I feel it was mayellas fault for Tom Robinson's death. If she had told the truth like she was suppost to do, her dad would be the one dead and she wouldn't have to get beaten anymore and Tom Robinson would be free because he is an innocent man and everything would be better in maycomb. That's Is why I feel the death of Tom was Mayella ewells fault.

pooja t

5/9/2013 06:46:18 am

I agree. If Mayella told the truth from the beginning, the one who should be punished would be punished - Bob Ewell. Because of her faer of her father she is unable to make her own decisions.

Kendall Wentz

5/10/2013 01:42:07 am

I agree with Elaine- if Mayella had told the truth her dad would be dead and Tom Robinson could continue to live his life.

Phillip Valdecanas

5/11/2013 07:39:22 am

Elaine, i agree that mayella and her lack of being honest is one cause for the death of Tom, but Mayella herself is not at fault. Ultimatley Tom is at fault because he made his own decision to take matters into his own hands and risk his life even when Atticus assured him that they still stood a chance.(Mayella caused Tom to make a decision that ultimatley killed him; Mayallea was a factor in Tom's decision to attempt to escape, but it is Tom's fault because he made his own choice.

Sarah Thomas

5/11/2013 03:57:28 pm

I agree with Elaine too, but i think it was more Bob's fault. He pushed her into lying so that he wouldn't get in trouble. Mayella still should have stood up and done the right thing.

Mallory Nicholson

5/12/2013 04:59:07 am

i half agree with Elaine. The thing i dont agree with Elaine is not everything in Maycomb would better. There would still be tension with black and white people. The Ewells would probably be upset and try to stir things up again or make matters worse.

Jonathan Wang

5/12/2013 05:08:18 am

I agree too, but i think if she admitted it, her father wouldn't be as severely punished as Tom Robinson because he was white.

Cameron H.

5/12/2013 08:16:40 am

Once again I partially agree with Elaine. I feel that Mayella did have a large part to play in the death of Tom Robison, he could've prevented it himself.

Jonathan Wang

5/9/2013 08:51:15 am

I believe that it was the Ewell's and the Juries fault, they Jury wouldn't let go of the negative stereotypes on blacks even if all evidence made Tom innocent. The Ewell's didn't admit to making the lie of Tom Robinson, ultimately causing his death.

Phillip Valdecanas

5/11/2013 07:45:41 am

I disagree with "the Ewell's didnt admit to making the lie of Tom Robinson, ultimately causing his death." Yes, the Ewells put Tom into a state in which he thought he had no chance of being set free. But, Tom made his own choice to attemot to escape, which killed him. The Ewells placed Tom in a hopeless situation (but Atticus claimed that Tom still had a chance of being freed) but Tom made the decision that risked and his life and took his life.

Sarah Thomas

5/11/2013 03:44:31 pm

I think that Bob Ewell is responsible for Tom's death because it is his fault, mainly, for the whole trial. Though Mayella goes along with the lie, she has no choice if she doesn't want to get severely abused, more than she already has been. Bob made up the lie of what Tom supposedly did, to hide the fact that he beat Mayella. He was trying to keep himself from going to prison by putting another innocent man's life in danger. If Bob had not lied about this situation, Tom would not have been in trial, been proven guilty, and would not have tried to escape. In the end, I believe Tom's death was caused by Bob Ewell.

Mallory Nicholson

5/12/2013 04:45:49 am

I agree like a lot of other people that Mayella Ewell is responsible for Toms death. Tom is the real victim in the case because Mayella made the choice to not tell the truth in court which affected Tom. Her decision led to the death of Tom Robinson's death. He was now going to live a miserable life which he knew he couldn't change because of what he was accused of.

Kendall Wentz

5/12/2013 05:14:03 am

QUESTION #2-
I think Tom Robinson and Mayella are responsible for his own death. He chose to escape from prison because he thought he had nothing to lose, and if Mayella lied. If she didn't lie in the first place none of this would have happened. Her dad would have gone to prison.

Albert Chen

5/12/2013 05:58:56 am

I believe that the death of Tom Robinson is caused by himself.He chose to help Mayella in her chores, which ultimately lead him to his death.If he had known more about Mayella's characteristics, it would help him know if he should interact with her.

John O'Donnell

5/13/2013 07:52:04 am

I disagree with this statement, because he never got to personally know Mayella Ewell, but just felt sympathy for a lonely girl with an abusive father left to support a family, and I believe that this goes back to the ever-so-sunny phrase, no good deed goes unpunished.

Meghan Pinfold

5/12/2013 07:40:52 am

I think Bob Ewell is responsible for Tom Robinson's death. If he as well as Mayells hadn't lied to the court, none of them would be in this position and Tom Robinson would still be alive.

Alana Larcombe

5/12/2013 03:00:02 pm

I agree with Meghan, that Bob and Mayella Ewell are responsible but I think Mayella is guiltiler because she used Tom and then lied, but then I understand how Bob pressured her into lying.

Cameron H.

5/12/2013 08:13:53 am

I think that Tom Robinson himself is responisble for his death. Atticus had a plan to get him out and he threw that away for his own selfish reasons of trying to escape. I think that Tom would've had a really good chance of being free the second round. I get how he wanted to escape to go see his family and everyone again, but i feel he should've not been so stubborn and waited for Atticus to help him go free.

Rachel Pijnnaken

5/13/2013 12:19:40 pm

I agree that he too was at fault for his own death.

Alana Larcombe

5/12/2013 02:36:31 pm

i believe Mayella Ewell is responsible for the death of Tom Robinson, because she use him and then lied to the jury. I know she lied because she was afraid of getting beat by her father, but that is no excuse!
If she knew she would get in trouble then why would she do it in the first place? I think she has to face her consequences.

Alana Larcombe

5/12/2013 09:18:54 pm

I agree with Kieran, i think maturity plays a big part in this book.
The two parts are the children messing with the Boo Radley house and then the children starting to become more interested in the Tom Robinson Case. The three children, all mature a lot through out the book.

Hannah harris

5/12/2013 09:47:39 pm

I believe it is 100% Mayella's fault because if she has told the truth in court in the first place, Tom Robinson would have not been in prison to begin with. I feel mayella should feel that she is the one who killed a man and i wish she could be punished for that! Because of Mayella, Tom Robinson has been shot and killed.

Maggie Cheung

5/8/2013 10:00:06 am

QUESTION 1-
Mrs. Merriweather and the other ladies express concern for the Mrunas, saying that they would go to church and spread the word to support the tribe. The ladies say that Scout should be grateful that she lives in a Christian town with her family and that people should go out and help the other poor children learn a Christian life. Then Mrs. Merriweather and Mrs. Farrow talk about the black population in Maycomb and complain that they don't act Christian and cannot be educated. Mrs. Merriweather says that there are "..good, but misguided people in this town..." and people think they can help the black population, but they can't. It seems that the ladies of the town hold the black community to a higher standard (if there is a standard for the black population) then the Mrunas, because the black in Maycomb have been around town long enough to "know what the rules are." The ladies have no respect for the black community in their own town, but yet have pity for the Mrunas elsewhere. Maudie and Aunt Alexandra are disgusted with the way the ladies are talking and call them out. It can be assumed from the context and descriptions of the people in Maycomb and surrounding counties that the rest of the town's thinking is parallel to the prejudiced comments that the ladies were making, which could have affected Tom's trial. After all, the jury was made of white men who fit right in with the majority of the town and their way of thinking.

Kieran Smith

5/8/2013 11:44:19 am

I feel like the black population was held to higher standards, like you said, possibly because of the Christian-based way of life in Maycomb. One of the main reasons Mrs. Merriwether described the Mrunas with words like "'...sin and squalor'" was because of their lack of education of the Christian religion. The ladies believe that the black community of Maycomb has had ample chance to become 'educated', but they have 'failed' because of their ignorance.

Rachel Reprogle

5/9/2013 12:07:22 am

I also feel that ever thing they do is looked down upon.

victor perez

5/8/2013 11:57:45 pm

i completely agree with you maggie because in the book the mruna's are held to a higher standard. they are held to this standard because they have been around a long time they should know the laws by now

Ms. B

5/9/2013 03:50:39 am

I agree, but I have a question as well - how can Maycomb's black community be expected to follow law when the laws are clearly not exacted in the same manner? Also, is the white community's definition of sin and squalor simply a way of saying that the black community's culture is misunderstood/misinterpreted/ignored by everyone else?

Amy Chen

5/12/2013 07:45:50 am

I agree with Maggie, I think that the ladies' attitudes towards the blacks in their community reflect the attitudes of the jury, in which the jury convicted Tom Robinson guilty because even if a few of them believed that Tom was innocent, they still convicted him because that's the way their town was; when it was a white man's word vs. a black man's word, the white man always wins

Kieran Smith

5/8/2013 11:30:20 am

The blame for Tom's death could be placed back at the beginning of slavery, when prejudice and discrimination against black people first came into the mind of society. However, bringing it to the book, the town's negative attitude towards Tom, his family, and the black community prompted the series of events leading to Tom Robinson's death. Mayella had every right to love Tom the way she did, and, had her love been accepted by her father and by society, the most harmful result would have been a broken heart. The fact that Bob Ewell witnessed Mayella's affectionate display and went to the moon and back to prevent Maycomb county from discovering the events shows Mr. Ewell's extreme fear of society. He was scared of being judged by the prejudiced people of Maycomb, so he acted, resulting in Tom Robinson's conviction and, in the end, death.

Maggie Cheung

5/8/2013 12:25:24 pm

I agree that his death was a result of the town's prejudice. But Tom still had a chance, according to Atticus. If Tom was a white man I don't think that Mr. Ewell would have taken the case that far. If Mr. Ewell had taken it that far, the white people would either be even more shocked because of Tom's behavior as a white man or they wouldn't care as much. Either way, I don't believe that Tom would have chosen to try to escape under those circumstances.

Hoorain Momin

5/8/2013 11:52:01 pm

I agree that Tom's death was also due to the Town's prejudice because he was a black man. Even though Atticus said that Tom might of had a chance, Tom honestly knew that since he was black, there was. o chance of him living. The towns Prejudice contributes to his death because if Tom had been a white man, he would have had a much greater chance of winning the case and becoming a free man. Since Tom was black, he knew the prejudice would kill him sooner or later.

Victor Perez

5/9/2013 03:49:41 am

Kieran I agree wholeheartly with you their prejudice can be blamed for Tom's death

Chris Appleton

5/9/2013 03:50:30 am

I agree with kieran. Bob Ewell was probably very scared to be scene as an outcast in society. He was probably scared, and wanted to get rid of the problem. By killing Tom Robison. His problems are gone because Tom is gone. He can forget about Mayella loving Tom, and move on. Saving the dignity of his family.

Ms. B

5/9/2013 04:02:30 am

I have a slight problem with placing the blame on the beginnings of slavery, but solely because slavery is an age-old concept that contributes to the structure of power that people establish over one another. I agree that can be an impetus, because the beginnings of slavery in the US has resulted in divisive racial politics that exist to this day. However, divisive politics exist in any society. We judge, we evaluate, and we establish power through different means...and some of those means are, indeed subversive...evil, even. Can we say that Tom Robinson died because the worst of human nature made it this way?

Maggie Cheung

5/9/2013 11:25:26 am

Yes, I agree with the comments above. Slavery is something that existed for so long, it was a part of the people and their everyday way of thinking. In any community there will always be the people that stick with the old ways and the old thinking because they think it is right. There will also be the people who think outside of the box and evaluate the actions they take concerning the morals and nature of human beings.

Hannah harris

5/12/2013 09:31:08 pm

I do not belive Tom is dead because of the results of slavery. Slavery has existed for a long while and it has its downfalls but Tom robinsons was death was because if the faults of Mayella.

Seamus Gildea

5/9/2013 10:18:39 pm

Slavery is not where human kind's prejudice against each other began. There has been hatred since the beginning of time. Jews were persecuted along with other groups long before the Africans were brought into forced labor in various parts of the world. It is one of humans greatest flaws that causes it I push away others that are different and in a world that continues to degrade the value of life it makes it easier for people to rationalize in their heads why it could be right to hate certain people even when it is wrong in many ways. Human faults are to blame not a certain event of prejudice

johnodonnell link

5/12/2013 11:36:17 am

i don't think that tom's conviction and the racist attitudes can be drawn back to early slavery, as it existed in almost every society, and it was never exclusively one race, until colonization of the Americas, where traders bought African slaves from other African tribes, so they essentially sold themselves out in a way, so the racist nature of Tom's biased trial cannot be generally traced back that far.

Maggie Cheung

5/8/2013 12:15:41 pm

QUESTION 2-
Tom Robinson's death is to blame on himself, but only because most of the town hates his guts. The reason he chose to try to escape was because he was desperate and scared and he decided to take his own chances. The initial blame is on Mayella, Bob Ewell, and the town of Maycomb itself. Mayella did the actual crime; Mr. Ewell stirred up the whole case with Tom Robinson; the town was always prejudiced towards the black community anyway. If none of these things had happened, Tom Robinson's death obviously wouldn't have happened. But since they did, Tom is then to blame for his own death for trying to escape. He a good chance, but he chose to try to run because he was scared for his own life against the prejudiced white town. Mayella lied in court because she was scared of her father. Bob Ewell lied about what happened as well, because he was scared of what the town people would say and he didn't approve of what Mayella did. Basically, all these feelings of fear led to the events that happened and eventually resulted in Tom's death.

Kieran Smith

5/8/2013 12:34:38 pm

Tom's actions were made in a moment of fear and probably weren't thought through very well, placing a fair amount of the blame on him, but his fear was incited by something. The pressure of social standards pushed him into a state of rash thoughtlessness that he couldn't handle. Tom was unable to handle this stress, putting him at fault, but had the circumstances been different, he would not have had to deal with anything.

Arianna Carr

5/8/2013 09:39:55 pm

I agree with the latter part of your answer concerning the death of Tom Robinson. Though Tom's effort to escape did lead to his death, I understand this as an act of desperation and instinct. The real blame would be like you said, Mayella, Bob Ewell and the town of Maycomb itself, for if it weren't for these people and attitudes, Tom might still be alive. The unjust events leading up to Tom Robinson's is death is what caused his death. But I do wonder, what if Tom Robinson today might have still been convicted based on some type of evidence they found or an excellent lawyer for Mayella Ewell and not prejudice, would he still "fatally" run, knowing that Atticus could potentially get him off?

Hoorain Momin

5/8/2013 11:59:10 pm

Answering your question Arianna, I personally believe that if Tom was convicted today based on evidence from Mayella's lawyer, he wouldnt still try to "fatally" run because in our time, prejudice against blacks has kind of gone away. Everyone has a fair trial in court, no matter what the color of their skin is. As of today, Tom would be able to have a chance at winning the case, even if he was convicted. Therefore, Tom would not try to fatally run.

Amy Chen

5/12/2013 07:56:42 am

Yes, I think that Tom Robinson would've still tried to run from prison if he were convicted based off evidence and not prejudice.. because he'd still be innocent, and if you imagined yourself in Tom's shoes, wouldn't you take that one chance to see a loved one again, before you were put away for the rest of your life with no family visitations, knowing that you did no wrong?

Julia Whitehead

5/12/2013 10:30:11 am

I do not agree with maggie. I dont think that Tom Robinsons death was to blame on himself. Yes, his race isnt helping him win the trial, but because he lost was definetly not his fault.

Alana Larcombe

5/12/2013 03:22:10 pm

I agree with Julia, I don't think you can blame the loss of the trail on Tom. personally I think he lost because he is black, and the town is racist.

RACHEL REPROGLE

5/13/2013 05:20:38 am

THEN WHOSE FAULT WAS IT?

Arianna Carr

5/8/2013 09:32:26 pm

The peope-pleasing, hyprocritical citizens of Maycomb are the ones to blame for the death of Tom Robinson. Sure, the dishonest and completely heinous allegations of Mayella and Bob Ewell are the direct reasons for Tom being convicted and imprisoned leading to his possibly avoidable death, but who had the choice to believe and decide what was truth based on the evidence presented in Tom Robinson's "fair" trial? The jury. But why did some of the jury members take longer than normal to deliberate the verdict of Tom Robinson? According to Atticus, this was abnormal. The men might have actually been considering a potential non unanimous guilty (I'm still positive that he would have been convicted, but like in the words of Miss Maudie, it would have been "baby steps" for them to have considered Tom Robinson's inocence.) However, what would these men have looked like infront of the countless Maycomb citizens, Cunninghams and all, that were there to rally on the death of Tom Robinson? They would have been seen as "nigger-lovers", a title only a white man like Atticus would be able to bear. In the end, the God-fearing people of Maycomb (not all of them) did not want to see justice served to a black man who "potentially" commited a crime, and they made sure that happened.

Rachel Reprogle

5/8/2013 11:48:28 pm

I believe Ariana is correct. I believe Tom Robinson was given a very unfair trial, and couldn't handle it. Even though he knows in his heart and head he is innocent he does not stand a chance in court because of his race.

Victor Perez

5/9/2013 03:57:01 am

I also agree with Arianna and Rachel Tom's trial was completely biased in the favor of Mayella Ewell that's why I think that Arianna and Rachel are correct.

Chandni P.

5/12/2013 10:44:36 am

I agree with what Arianna said as well as Rachel and Victor. The trial of Tom Robinson was completely unfair. The Ewell's had an advantage over Tom because of their race.

Seamus Gildea

5/9/2013 03:53:00 am

The ladies admire the mrunas and other people who help society in their missionary circle but yet are very hypocritical when it comes to their own lives and society. They are very devout Christians when it comes to studying it and on Sundays but when they have to apply their faith to their lifestyle it doesn't exactly happen.

Seamus cont.

5/9/2013 03:55:22 am

The ladies know what is right and good based on their faith and studies as well as the rest of the Christian folk in maycomb but they still aren't ready to apply it to their lives and in the courtroom when it comes to racism and prejudice

Joseph wort

5/9/2013 04:00:59 am

I agree with seamus cause these ladies are hypocrites and they ca talk the talk but can't walk the walk

Kalyn Lindley

5/9/2013 04:00:49 am

I believe that Tom Robinson death is to blame on the people of maycomb. He is dying because the jury has this made up consumption that black is always wrong". Either way Tom would not be treated equal becasue he is a black man. The court only see the his skin cor and nothing else. Tom robison died an innocent man.

Seamus Gildea

5/9/2013 06:12:16 am

Fear and hopelessness are responsible for the death of Tom Robinson. You all focus on the verdict in Maycomb but as
Atticus continuosly states, he would have a chance with an appeal. Tom Robinson was crushed by the decision in Maycomb and although he still knew that he would have a slim chance of winning in an appeal, he had no hope left that he could find a fair jury to believe him even though he was black. He became afraid of death by way of a noose and decided that he would take the risk to climb that fence no matter how risky it was because in a society where prejudice rules, most of the oppressed lose hope that it will ever change.

Kieran Smith

5/9/2013 06:53:30 am

I feel like Tom cannot be to blame for his state of dismay because the fear was driven into him so much that he could not have been expected to contain his stress. Tom had been terrified of the case from the beginning. During the trial, he stated that he was running from the Ewell house in order to avoid this situation ever arising, but when it did, and when all of Tom's worse nightmare's came true, he found it difficult to control. He was embarrassed and shamed by an entire county, and he had been torn away from his family.

Seamus Gildea

5/9/2013 10:11:27 pm

I partly agree with Kieran. The town definitely provided the overall fear and feeling of defeat but Tom let the fear of losing and being hung get to him. He gave in to the oppression from the prejudice of the town

pooja t

5/9/2013 06:24:39 am

I feel that it is mostly Mayellas fault for lying, even though she only wanted to not get beaten. She should have told the truth so she would be safe from her father forever and she would have saved an innocent mans life. However, it is also partly the laws fault. If it wasnt so corrupted, Tom would have felt safe and wouldnt have run away.

Phillip Valdecanas

5/9/2013 08:18:05 am

QUESTION #1:
It is evident that the ladies of Maycomb exhibit different attitudes regarding the black population. Annoyingly outspoken, Mrs. Merriweather represents the white people of Maycomb who view the back population as below the white popuation( black people are inferior to whites). " I tell you if my Sophy'd kept it up another day I'd have let her go. It's never entered that wool of hers that the only reason I keep her is because this depression's on and she needs her dollar and a quarter every week she can get it." This shows how Mrs. Merriweather views a balck woman as property. These type of white people dont necessarily wish to suppress the balck population, but have the desire/belief of being more superior than black people. Ms Maudie represents another type of people in Maycomb county. She does not believe in the unjust treatment of the black population, but rather believes in equality. This is shown in her anger towards Mrs. Merriweather's brash comments on black people. I believe more people exist in Maycomb who are similar to Ms. Maudie. But they are afraid of the consequences of expressing their views on black people. Instead, they create a facade and hide, riding the current of the people who oppose the black poulation instead of taking their own stance. These two types of people both influenced the conviction of Tom Robinson. The poeple who were prejudice against blacks obviously voted against Tom.The poeple like Ms. Maudie could have voted for the aquittance of Tom. But I believe many of them were still too scared of voicing their opinions through anomynity.

Ms. B

5/10/2013 04:24:47 am

One of the chief criticisms of TKAM is that the two central storylines -- Scout, Jem and Dill's fascination with Boo Radley and the trial of Tom Robinson -- are not sufficiently connected in the novel. Why do you think Harper Lee divided the book into two parts? Do you think that it effectively connects in the end? Find evidence to support your assertion.

Hoorain Momin

5/12/2013 02:21:50 am

Question #3
I think that Harper Lee divided the book into two different story lines to show the two different types of Prejudice that is going on in Maycomb. One has to do with racism and the other one has to do with Boo Radley and how everyone in the town has the same viewpoint/fear of Boo.

Kendall Wentz

5/12/2013 05:17:37 am

I agree with Hoorain. It helps the reader understand what is going on/ it divides the two types of Prejudice.

Albert Chen

5/12/2013 07:04:28 am

Both prejudice in the story differs from each other greatly.The one about Boo Radley has a more softer tone than the one concerning Tom Robinson and racism.

Julia Whitehead

5/12/2013 10:36:26 am

Hoorain is on a roll.. and i totally agree with her.. I completely agree that Harper Lee was trying to show different views points on different kinds of prejudice.

Seamus Gildea

5/12/2013 10:39:06 am

The way that Lee divides up the book into the two story lines just goes to show that humans have countless faults and are full of curiosity.

Alana Larcombe

5/12/2013 03:33:52 pm

I agree with Hoorain AGAIN!! (:
I think she was trying to show the importance of prejudice, the most important one racism and Boo Radley. Boo is thought of an 6 and a half feet talk man who eats raw squirrels and any cats he can catch. When really he is just a shy caring guy (:

RACGEL REPROGLE

5/13/2013 05:25:58 am

YES it addresses the facts and opinions all in one. its divided to show the ideals.

John O'Donnell

5/13/2013 07:57:39 am

i think this is true, but not intended by the characters, as they don't see any prejudice against either, but rather curiosity and childlike questionings of the workings of people/society.

Rachel Pijnnaken

5/13/2013 12:22:43 pm

I agree the author shows the different points of prejudice between the 3 children and the town.

pooja t

5/14/2013 06:42:21 am

I agree its shows that prejudice has more than one side to it, and in the end it ties the whole story together.

Seamus Gildea

5/12/2013 05:03:59 am

Harper Lee kept the two story lines of Boo and Tom Robinson to demonstrate that prejudice is not limited to only against blacks or only racism. Prejudice is hating someone who you believe is different from the normal as boo Radley was. People focus on racism against blacks in the country as the main type of prejudice which is not entirely false but religious and other types of discrimination are prominent as well.

Maggie Cheung

5/12/2013 06:12:12 am

Seamus has a point. The problem of the town is prejudice. Mostly, the people are prejudiced against Tom because he is black and that was the way of the South back then. The town is also prejudiced against Boo Radley. They almost shun the Radleys because they are different and unlike the way of the time. Though the two ways of discrimination are different, the general idea of it is the same. To put it simply, they are both wrong.

Kieran Smith

5/12/2013 06:19:53 am

I understand that there was some sort of prejudice towards Boo, but i feel like it wasn't the type of prejudice that involves hatred. The prejudice towards Boo was more curious and childish. The difference between the two could show some sort of development.

Meghan Pinfold

5/12/2013 08:03:23 am

I agree. This story shows all faults. Including the important topic of racism and the prejudice, like how people are sometimes quick to judge and hate on others.

Hannah harris

5/12/2013 09:42:46 pm

I completely agree with you Seamus. Prejudice has no boundaries. It can stretch from racism to people who just dont fit it.

Rachel Reprogle

5/13/2013 05:36:58 am

The main difference is black and white but also she relates it in by boo radley being the outsider he is. Where do you think some other examples are? Do you think Harper lee hinted some in there. We can tell she has a vivid mind by her complex symbols.

Mallory Nicholson

5/12/2013 05:09:50 am

Question #3
I believe Harper Lee divided the two different things to show the problem within Maycomb and show a problem throughout the state. Boo being the problem in Maycomb where everyone is afraid of him or afraid of what Boo may be able to do to them. Racism is the problem throughout Alabama. Its one of the major conflicts where white people don't treat black people the same.

Sarah Thomas

5/12/2013 09:54:42 am

I agree with Mallory in that Lee uses both of them to show the problems in the state and the county. Through Boo it is shown how Maycomb reacts to unknown characters. Tom helps to represent the racism in Alabama.

Kendall Wentz

5/12/2013 05:44:33 am

QUESTION #3
I think Harper Lee divided the book into two parts because there were two types of Prejudice/ conflicts were shown in Maycomb. The first part had to do with Boo Radley and the second Part had to do with Tom Robinson and the town. The division of the book does help connect the end.

Cameron H.

5/12/2013 08:22:06 am

I agree with Kendall, the division of the books helps connect the overall ending with Scout, and Boo Radley.

Phillip Valdecanas

5/12/2013 08:33:12 am

I agree with Kendall, the two types of prejudice that are present throughout the book display how prejudice is constant in Maycomb, regardless of who it is towards.

Sarah Thomas

5/12/2013 09:59:45 am

I agree with Kendall. Harper Lee uses two very different characters in the beginning to, in the end, show the same matter. The two of them reveal the problems of prejudice and racism within Maycomb.

Kieran Smith

5/12/2013 06:06:58 am

I feel like Harper Lee divided the book into two parts to show the two levels of maturity within the kids. In the beginning with Boo, the kids express their childish curiosity and immaturity by impersonating Boo and looking for ways to see him. As they start to mature, Jem especially, the kids take more interest in the case of Tom Robinson, and they are exposed to more of the evils of life. Their minds are taken off Boo Radley and their curious fear of him almost ends. In the end, the two ends of these kids' lives come together in a terrifying scene that most likely crushes any innocence the kids had left. When Boo comes and saves them from Mr. Ewell, all associations between him and Scout's childishness are destroyed. Harper Lee makes a point to show that the main symbol of the kids' childhood has morphed into a stage of adolescence.

Albert Chen

5/12/2013 07:13:09 am

I agree with Kieran. In the first half of the story the kids were immature about their obsessiveness over Boo Radley. After witnessing the trial of Tom Robinson, the kids became more mature by not bothering Boo, knowingly that it may end unhappily like Tom.

Phillip Valdecanas

5/12/2013 08:44:08 am

I think Kieran has a point. In the two parts, the levels of maturity the children develop are displayed. This ties back to the question regarding how/if the two parts contribute to the ending together. Because the two parts both show different stages of the children's maturity levels( more maturity in the children shown in the second part than in the first), the two parts do relate to the ending.

Seamus Gildea

5/12/2013 10:36:18 am

Kieran strikes again! His observation makes alot of sense about how life as you grow up exposes you to more and more of a messed up world.

Jonathan Wang

5/12/2013 12:04:20 pm

I agree, the kids have really matured from their childish selves since the beginning. Perhaps Boo came out because he knew that the kids were mature enough to accept him.

Kendall Wentz

5/12/2013 02:08:27 pm

I agree With Kieran. The children did grow up between the two parts and became more mature. They were exposed to a different kind of conflict they had never seen before, which helps connect the ending.

Hannah harris

5/12/2013 09:44:07 pm

Wow! I never thought of it that way! That is very true! It helps show the maturity levels of the children change from the beginning of the book up until then ending.

Albert Chen

5/12/2013 06:23:01 am

I believe that Harper lee divided the book into two part is to tell us about the different prejudices in the story.She gave the reader two kind of prejudices ( boo radley and the trial of Tom Robinson).Both are targeting certain people, but both have the same meaning. The problem concerning boo radley is mostly affecting the kids, while the the trial is affecting a larger group of people.I think shes telling us that Prejudice can be a small problem concerning very few people to a national problem.

Maggie Cheung

5/12/2013 06:25:45 am

I definitely agree with Albert. Prejudice can range from only a couple people in a small town to a huge national problem. Scout, Jem, and Dill were just fascinated with Boo Radley, and it wasn't a big deal. On the other hand, Tom Robinson and other people's lives were in danger because of discrimination and prejudice on a much larger scale.

Jonathan Wang

5/12/2013 12:07:42 pm

I agree, prejudice is not limited to anything, be it race or age. From the soft Boo Radley, to the heated war for Tom Robinson's freedom.

Meghan Pinfold

5/12/2013 07:56:12 am

I think Harper Lee divided the book into two different parts to cover two topics along the same line, racism and prejudice in general. The case of Tom Robinson shows the racism and the towns people hating on those different to themselves shows the prejudice.

Hoorain Momin

5/12/2013 08:52:53 am

i agree with Meghan that harper Lee divides the book in order to show that there are different types of Prejudices within Maycomb.

Amy Chen

5/12/2013 08:03:34 am

Not only does the tie between Tom Robinson's trial & the curiosity of Boo Radley have to do with prejudice, I think it also has to do with assumption and misunderstanding. Scout, Jem, and Dill all presumed that Boo Radley was someone intimidating and dangerous, in the same way that some of the white people of Maycomb may not have even listened to Tom Robinson's side of the story, and just thought that he was guilty because he was black.

Cameron H.

5/12/2013 08:20:32 am

I think the Harper Lee divided it into two sections because there are two main prejudices in the novel, and two main issues. The first having to do with the dark innerness of racism and the other is representing how Boo is the main thing the town blames its issues on, when they dont want to face it themselves.

Hoorain Momin

5/12/2013 08:56:22 am

I agree with Cameron that the prejudice having to do with Boo Radley is an excuse for the Maycomb town to blame their problems on when they can't face the truth.

Sarah Thomas

5/12/2013 09:49:38 am

I think Harper Lee divided the book between the children's fascination with Boo Radley and the trial of Tom Robinson to show two different sides of Maycomb that come together to create the county that it is. It connects eventually at the end because it shows how the citizens acts towards an outsider. Boo Radley stayed away from the community and they shunned him. The black population in Maycomb were also shunned because they were not seen as "great" as the white. All in all, Harper Lee shows the prejudice of the county using both sides of the story.

Chandni P.

5/12/2013 11:03:10 am

I agree with Sarah. Both parts of the book connect to how prejudice is shown in the end.

Alana Larcombe

5/12/2013 09:22:39 pm

the people of the town shunned Boo Radely, just like the shun most of the black population. do you thin the people of the town think of Boo Radley as part of the black population inn some way?

Rachel Pijnnaken

5/13/2013 12:25:22 pm

Alana, I don't think they shunned Boo Radley.

Jonathan Wang

5/12/2013 12:00:10 pm

I think they are divided because it shows that the kids are going through very different things during their childhood. They have a innocent curiosity with Boo Radley, but they also face the gruesome trial of Tom Robinson.

Arianna Carr

5/12/2013 01:39:10 pm

I didn't think about that aspect Albert. Maybe Harper Lee was trying to show the transition of the children's mentality and childhood through the usage of two different story lines.

Rachel Pijnnaken

5/12/2013 10:49:56 pm

Reply to Alana:
I disagree. I do not think they treat Boo Radley as part of the black population because what is being said about him is through the children's eyes and it differs from what the whole town may think of him.

Arianna Carr

5/12/2013 01:29:10 pm

I believe Harper Lee intentionally created two storylines in order to show how prejudice and ignorance affect each other and are connected. The semi racist town of Maycomb deem Tom Robinson guilty before even knowing the facts.These people only believe one side of the story and that is because they only know one side of the story. This stresses how ignorant some of the persecutors of Tom Robinson are. Maybe if they were less ignorant and more understanding, Tom might have not been convicted. Within in the other storyline the town has created reputation of Boo Radley that the Scout Jem and Dill believe. This also emphasizes ignorance and the absolute state of sincerely not knowing. I do think the two story lines do connect in the end.

pooja t

5/14/2013 06:45:52 am

I agree ignorance is the main reason for prejudice. Most people are afraid of what they dont know, and will try to stick with what morals they have been brought up with. This brings both parts of the book together in the end.

Hannah harris

5/12/2013 09:38:04 pm

I believe Harper lee split the book into two parts because they both came together to form the same point. Both of them represent the secret of maycomb county. Racism emerged which unveiled the corruption

Hannah harris cont.

5/12/2013 09:40:59 pm

Of maycomb. Also, boo radley is unknown to everyone. There is practically no information available on him which shows another secret of may comb county. In conclusion, i believe Harper lee split the book to prove that there are many secrets in maycomb.

John O'Donnell

5/13/2013 07:55:30 am

I believe that it was kept separate to show the innocence of the children, and in most of the book they are naive, only hearing whispers and rumors, but during and after the trial, they are experienced and know more of the world and the people of Maycomb county.

Phillip Valdecanas

5/11/2013 07:31:28 am

QUESTION #2
Although Tom is not completely at fault for his own death, i believe he is the ultimate cause of his own death. I understand many factors played a part in his decision in trying to take matters into his own hands, but he himself made the decsion to take a risk that endangered his own life. Yes, Tom was found guilty in court, but Atticus claimed that they still had a chance of freeing Tom. It seemed tom, with the recent events, experienced difficult emotions and troubles. But i believe this is no excuse for trying to escape the prison. Now, Tom will never know what his future entitled(whether or not he actually had a chance of being set free). Also, I dont think it was quite intelligent of Tom to attempt to escape knowing that he only had one functioning arm. Yes he was brave and yes, he it seemed he had no chance and no other option, but to me, trying to escape the prison was more of a gamble than trusting Atticus' abilities.

Kendall Wentz

5/12/2013 05:01:41 am

I agree with Phillip. He is the cause of his own death because it was his choice to escape prison knowing that he only had one heathly arm.

Chandni P.

5/12/2013 10:54:31 am

I partially agree with Phillip. It is Tom's own fault for his death. However, I think the bigger blame should be on the citizens in town. If the town wasn't racist, then Tom would have been proven innocent. Therefore, he wouldn't have had to escape jail which would have led to him not being shot.

Maggie Cheung

5/12/2013 05:43:05 am

QUESTION 3-
The reason why Harper Lee separated the two storylines is because she wanted to show that there were two different kinds of discrimination. At the beginning of the novel, the chief prejudice was against Boo Radley. Scout, Jem, and Dill were the ones who were fascinated with Boo Radley and Atticus and the adults were always the ones to tell them to stop. When the book turns to Tom Robinson's trial, certain adults in the town are discriminating against Tom and Scout, Jem, and Dill knew that was wrong. Throughout the book, Scout starts to see the different types of prejudice in her town and she notices that there isn't really much of a difference. Towards the end of the book, Boo Radley fails to scare her anymore and almost becomes a friend to her. Her friendliness shows that she has grown up and understands more of the people in the town of Maycomb and the world around her. Scout, Jem, and Dill learn that discrimination and prejudice are not to be played with because unsuspecting events could arise from them.

Kieran Smith

5/12/2013 06:37:44 am

When you said how, later on, Scout, Dill and Jem were the ones who knew what was right and wrong, it seems like the views had switched from how they were earlier on, but, looking at what Mallory said, it almost sounds like the range of perspectives has just expanded. More people have moved into the story who are more cruel and more prejudiced than Scout and the kids could ever imagine being. This, along with their education from Atticus, portrays the kids as smarter, more accepting individuals.

Arianna Carr

5/12/2013 01:36:51 pm

I agree with you Maggie on the fact that Scout Jem and Dill did learn a lot about prejudice and discrimination. I wonder what type of view/stance they will take on it in their future's. Will Jem be against it? Will Scout be passive about it, not really doing much due to the fact that she has to be a lady? Will Dill be somewhat for it?

Amy Chen

5/12/2013 10:02:28 pm

To reply Arianna's question, I think that the children will definitely be against racism. They have already begun to opinionate their views; Jem is torn over the verdict of Tom Robinson's trial and both he and Scout keep saying that its not fair how Tom was wrongly accused of a crime he didn't commit

Meghan Pinfold

5/12/2013 07:17:50 am

In Maycomb, I believe white people think they are more superior than black as well as better in general according to the conversation. And due to Tom Robinson's color, it will be very difficult or impossible to win this case.

Cameron H.

5/12/2013 08:24:51 am

I agree with Meghan, the white people, speciffically the elderly ladies belive they are superior to the blacks. And with Tom Robinson being colored it makes it almost impossible to have a fair trial

Julie Black foot (Julia Whitehead)

5/12/2013 10:49:59 am

I agree with cameron, There is no way that Tom Robinson would have a fair trial because of the racism in the town.

Chandni P.

5/12/2013 10:58:08 am

I agree with Meghan. It would be impossible for Tom to win this case because of all the racism in the town. The white people feel as if they're on the top of the chain and nobody can over power them.

Rachel Pijnnaken

5/12/2013 07:46:47 am

Question #1:
I believe the ladies at the table are expressing how they feel, yet to me it comes off a little racist. Though things could have been left unsaid, it is a tea where ladies usually gossip.

Rachel Pijnnaken

5/12/2013 07:47:24 am

Question #2:
I believe that Mayella and her father are guilty of the death of Tom Robinson because they lied to hide their problems. I also believe that the jury is also at blame due to the time period Tom Robinson is "guilty until proven innocent" and that they had not given them a chance.

Rachel Pijnnaken

5/12/2013 07:48:25 am

Question #3:
I think that the author discuses the book into two parts: almost like a fantasy and the other a world problem.

Meghan Pinfold

5/12/2013 08:00:53 am

I agree with this. Like how the world problem shows faults in the way we are living our lives and how we are quick to judge.

Amy Chen

5/12/2013 10:10:10 pm

I agree with Rachel, I think the first part of the book is more relatable to children, more carefree in ways, and the second part of the book grows into something more serious and real.

Rachel Reprogle

5/13/2013 05:11:55 am

I don't necessarily think it's like a difference in maturity. I just think the first part was setting up the story and the second part was relating it back to the topic and lesson.

johnodonnell link

5/13/2013 08:04:18 am

I think this is correct, but towards the early stages of the book the value of each situation is flipped, boo Radley being real-world, and Tom Robinson being a far off, irrelevant fantasy, until they learn of its true meaning.

Phillip Valdecanas

5/12/2013 08:24:46 am

QUESTION #3
In my opinion, the first part of the book showcased the experiences that childhood provided the three children as well as their innocence regarding the world. But, as each chapter progessed during part one, i think we are shown how the innocence of the three children is steadily fading away. This is because of the experiences they ecnounter in their daily lives in Maycomb as well as the natural process of growing up. These experiences help the reader to better understand the second part. During the second part, the children experience the trial of Tom Robinson. We can better understand the children's mentalitly and action towards the case and events related to the case because we have already witnessed how the children act and think in various situations in part one. Also, i believe the two parts together effectively connect the end. This is because in both parts, we see how Maycomb exhibits discrimination, regardless of the circumstances. In part one, Scout shows discrimination against little walter cunningham( against the way he eats). There is also discrimination against Boo. In the second part, discrimination is shown against Tom Robinson and the rest of the black population (the women at Aunt Alexandra's meeting). Discrimination in both parts lend to the ending. They both show how Maycomb county exhibits prejudice.Both parts also contribute to the ending because they both show Scout and Jem's weathering innocence and childhood.

pooja t

5/14/2013 06:40:24 am

I feel like the both the parts have to do with prejudice, but the first part has Jem and Scout just starting to see it. The second part has them seeing its consequences and who is affected the most. Tjey slowly lose their innocence.

Ishan link

2/27/2018 05:24:49 pm

Period 2 - TKAM Discussion Questions

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