Period 3 - TKAM Discussion Questions - Ms. Bellon's Classroom

Period 3 - 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.

211 Comments

Ms. B

5/6/2013 03:32:25 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?

David Hartman

5/8/2013 04:11:36 am

The majority of the women in the chat circle can easily speak ill of those they deem beneath themselves. As they sit there, in Atticus's house in the company of their white 'lady-like' peers, certain attitudes arise that contribute to a tone of not quite disgust but mor

David cont.

5/8/2013 04:21:01 am

More or less like blacks are not conforming to how the whites expect them to behave. This is seen when Mrs Farrow says "'...we can educate 'em till were blue in the face, we can try till we drop to make Christians out of em..." And she goes on to say there is no lady sage in her bed at night. This statement adds onto the ever growing snowball of misconceptions of the black community, that all black men are animals and can not be trusted. That they are just mischievous thieves and criminals, when in reality, they are fully functioning members of society. This is seen by few, including Miss Maudie, and until it is apparent to others that this is not the truth, biased opinions will forever remain in the minds of the people of maycomb County.

Ruona Eruvwetere

5/8/2013 05:13:14 am

I completely agree with you David. I believe that the only reason these women are saying all that stuff about black people is because they never have been into the black community or
talked to a black person because they let sterotypes dictate their judgement.

Ms. B

5/9/2013 12:41:00 am

They portray a very interesting definition of "lady-like".

Chand

5/12/2013 01:53:29 am

I agree with you. It also seems like these ladies were only agreeing with each other. They knew if they disagree, they would be judged and may be attacked. They want to avoided that and just stick with how the community sees them

Shahzaib

5/12/2013 03:30:32 am

I agree with Dave as well, when the ladies are talking about the black community in Maycomb, they are only talking from the stereotypes they heard from their friends. They know nothing of the black community because they have never bothered to even learn about them

Ryan

5/12/2013 03:04:03 pm

People don't what to take the time to learn and understand another person or race so that choose to judge .The faked that their all white trying to convict a black man in those days it was natural as it wood be vise versa

Sarah fletcher

5/8/2013 12:38:13 pm

You see how these white women act as if they're royalty. They're the typical group of women in a town tht sit there and gossip. They talk about black people like they have no experience of anything an as if they're naive. Even when scout asks questions about what they're saying they talk to her naively this shows how they look down upon people. They believe basically that

Lilli Peters

5/11/2013 09:34:59 am

I agree and disagree with you Sarah. On one hand, the ladies are the typical women in the town. However, they act as if they think they're royalty rather than acting like royalty. Their actions display a sense of immaturity, but also ignorance like you said.

Ryan

5/12/2013 03:08:59 pm

I agree its natural for one person to look down on another especially when their being look down a pawn themselves

Sarah cont.

5/8/2013 12:42:09 pm

Blacks are below them. They're attitudes help explain how the judge felt. In a small town it's easy to be persuaded and manipulated by fellow neighbors. I think that's exactly what happened to the judge. Most likely he already had his mind made up about whether he was going to convict him or not.

Ms. B

5/9/2013 12:43:38 am

Again, interesting comment - Sarah, you say that they act like royalty; let's begin to play the reverse. How do commoners view royalty? Is there any parallel between that dynamic and the dynamic of White Maycomb vs. Black Maycomb?

Melinda Cloudy

5/9/2013 01:15:58 pm

Ms. B, there is definitely a hierarchy in Maycomb. The Whites have placed themselves above everyone else, and even though they don't want to, the Black citizens act like they are below the White people. For example, when Jem and Scout came to church with Cal, the regular church attendees parted for the kids to walk through, and gave up their seats for them. Also, the African Americans all live clustered together in small homes on the outskirts of town, and most of the jobs they have are working for the "royalty" as "servants". And the worst part is, they don't get any opportunities to change that.

Seamus Gildea

5/9/2013 03:51:24 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.

Dayo ♥

5/9/2013 12:56:40 pm

Agreed! The word that describes these women perfectly is hypocricy and nothing but. Every single major flaw that each of the women in the meeting had was hypocricy and its ironic because many christians todays are hypocritical. They say "oh this is against the law of God" but when they want to go against the rule, they dont want it to be acknoledged. They'd prefer to sweep it understand a fancy rug and hide all their filth under it. But eventually your filth will be exposed, someones going to lift that rug wether you want it to be lifted or not. Its Gods way of teaching ♥

Hunter Scharf

5/12/2013 06:27:29 am

That's right. In the Bible, Jesus speaks strongly about hypocracy and calls out many people who say they have faith but really are two-sided. The women, if during his time period, would have been ones called out by Him. They look down upon the black church even though the black community has a stronger will and drive for their God, even though it's the same God.

Stella Ji

5/12/2013 12:32:00 pm

I agree. They call the black population sinners, while truthfully hypocrisy is a sin too.

Chris Bowen

5/9/2013 04:31:18 am

Answer to question #1:
I think that in the house they are gossiping about the black people of the community are servants and are a way lover class than them. I believe it's ironic that the women always bring up Christianity and how it is active in the community even among blacks but at the same time they judge and criticize blacks as no good poor people who are there just to be servants. And they say stuff about how they believe blacks are untrustworthy and low class. The ladies talk represents the towns attitude toward blacks and when they are judged like this they fall into a hole that they can't escape socially, and that's why before the trial even started everyone knew Tom would most likely be guilty no matter the evidence.

Nikki Gandhi

5/12/2013 03:04:53 pm

I agree with Chris because even though they being up Christianity and how it can change people, they still view the christian blacks as lower people. They are very ironic and hypocritical. We all knew that Tom was going to be guilty because the view of people dont change very easily especially when it is the view of a majority of people

Melinda Cloudy

5/9/2013 12:59:14 pm

Many of the ladies in Maycomb view the African Americans as being below them. The way Mrs. Farrow says, "We can educate 'em till we're blue in the face, we can try till we drop to make Christians out of 'em," is very degrading (311). It's like they think the African Americans are animals they have to train.

Chand

5/12/2013 06:07:33 am

I agree with you. They act as if they own the black community and are the ones who have the ability to support their lives

Abigail Cloudy

5/12/2013 07:01:47 am

That's a very good point Melinda. The ladies view the African Americans as a different species. The African Americans have lost their humanity in the eyes of the ladies. They are viewed as just a burden.

Kirtana

5/12/2013 09:32:53 am

I agree as well I think that the animal comparison is good because they take pity on the African Americans but still don't give them a chance to earn respect which I think is something anamalistic seeing that you know dogs and cats don't really get that much respect or get a chance to defend themselves if someone peed on the carpet the blame is going on the dog kind of like Tom Robinson.

Anisha Kumar

5/12/2013 10:54:27 am

I totally agree with you Melinda. The way they get talked about really shows the characteristics of them. They think that they have that sense of being "up there" in a way.

Pheba Joshua

5/12/2013 11:22:16 am

Agreed the women viewed the black community as animals and something of a lesser value compare to them.

Hayden

5/12/2013 12:23:25 pm

As horrible as it is that they're treated as "animals", that was also the practice of the South which I think people are forgetting. Slavery was never a light topic even after abolishing it and it was not uncommon for people to to still be "sensitive" to the idea of black people equalling up to everyone else, even though they are just people like us.

Jodianne

5/12/2013 03:03:31 pm

I agree with you Melinda. Indeed the black community is viewed as almost to nothing but empty space that was filled within the town.

Chand

5/12/2013 01:44:27 am

In Maycomb, it seems majority of the people don't have the positive attitudes towards the black community, but there are a few who are changing their point of view. Miss Maudie chooses to judge a person by their actions and not their race. Tom Robinson was guilty because the people on the jury were blinded by his race and didn't take any thoughts to the possibility of him not being guilty

Shahzaib

5/12/2013 03:33:11 am

I agree, Miss Maudie doesn't judge people by their race, she is not naive. She understand the fact that her peers do not know anything about who they are talking about

Kirtana

5/12/2013 04:27:39 am

Well yeah they do but its not just in Maycomb that attitudes like these took place, if you had taken this court case to any other predominately .white town in the south they would have been blinded as well, I think that it shows that more people at this time would rather just blame the black people than actually investigate and not just take white people's word for it. And I think that they few that are showing a change of mind are kind of like the North in this situation when they were less prejudice.

Hunter Scharf

5/12/2013 06:31:02 am

This is very true. Miss Maudie is willing to go against everyone else for what's right. Maybe if there were more people like her and Scout, the trial's outcome could have ended differently. But just like other times in history, injustice isn't realized until too late.

Stella Ji

5/12/2013 12:33:47 pm

I agree. If more people saw things the way Miss Maudie saw them the outcome of the trial would have differed greatly.

Shahzaib

5/12/2013 03:25:37 am

"We can educate 'em till were blue in the face, we can try till we drop to make Christians out of em." The ladies in Maycomb county treat the blacks as if they are animals. The use what they heard from others to create stereotypes, even though they know nothing about the black community .

Zach H

5/12/2013 11:47:31 am

I agree. They seem to use what they have heard from others against the black community, even though a lot of those stories are completely fake or exaggerated

Carter H

5/12/2013 01:18:39 pm

I agree none of the ladies treat the black population well except Miss Maudie. The ladies consider the black population lower than them and have no respect for them while not knowing anything about them.

Ryan

5/12/2013 03:16:24 pm

Why do we as people judge and stereotype

Hunter Scharf

5/12/2013 06:22:21 am

The ladies of Maycomb fail to realize that the black community is nothing like they speak. The ladies drink tea and they gossip, but really that's all it is: gossip. Gossip is usually truth stretched out about 10 feet. They have no background information except what they think they see blacks do. The ladies of Maycomb intellectual level is shown to be pretty low here with their one sided thoughts, then conclusions.

Ariel Heins

5/12/2013 06:29:41 am

Exactly, Hunter! They are pretty much just a gossip circle which is pretty naïve them selves about the black community, like you said. Which is pretty ironic if you ask me.

Chris Bowen

5/12/2013 06:40:00 am

I agree with Hunter, the ladies of Maycomb look down on the black community and judge them by what they do and hear about blacks. The gossip that they speak while drinking tea is all so stereotypical and mostly false. The women don't know the truth about the black community cause they never venture down past the Ewell house to the "black" side of town and see how the black people are and live/ act. The women are very wrong in their conclusions and rude.

Nikki Gandhi

5/12/2013 03:07:26 pm

Agreed, because that is what ladies do. Gossip. And by doing so they hope to change the view of others. The only information they get is from gossip and they cant decide if it is factual or not. The judge people from what they hear and what others think. It's almost as if they dont use their brains for themselves.

Ariel Heins

5/12/2013 06:27:15 am

Ladies in the tea circle deem themselves higher in the community than any black person male or female. I think this is just a smaller view of how most of the town feels. Everyone agrees with the women, with an exception of a few (Ms. Maudie), and this is why Tom Robinson's case directly correlates with the views. The judge is as much part of the town as anyone else. This is a southern town after all..

Chidera a.

5/12/2013 12:42:37 pm

i agree with Ariel the ladies try to act sophisticated and wise, while at the same time trashing on the black community believing themselves to be saints by saying the whole thing should blow over, if they forgive them for doing absolutely.nothing. wrong.

Kirtana

5/12/2013 10:17:32 am

There attitude shows that there is a double standard towards the African American community, they don't say much about Bob and Mayella being poor yet the African Americans are looked down just as much. And this is like the trial in the sense that using Tom's word against Bob's they are the same level on every way except skin color which leads to the end result of his trial.

Kirtana

5/12/2013 10:32:03 am

OH AND THIS IS AN ANSWER TO QUESTION ONE.

Pheba Joshua

5/12/2013 11:17:13 am

I agree with you! Yes Tom's word was put against Bob's and the result was clearly chosen by skin color. The evidence all pointed to Bob but since Tom was black all fingers ended up pointing to him.

Chidera a.

5/12/2013 12:30:40 pm

i agree with what you said, but i also think that as the jury thought about it, they just did not want to believe that a black man could be right, a white man could be wrong, and what i think was most denied, a white woman attempting to seduce a black man.

Pheba Joshua

5/12/2013 11:11:05 am

The ladies of Maycomb are highly judgmental and hypocritical.They speak of the black community as if they don't know a thing about anything. Also, that the blacks of Maycomb were below the whites of Maycomb. This can help to explain why Tom Robinson were found guilty because in this community race mattered over the truth.

Anisha Kumar

5/12/2013 11:38:34 am

I think they pretend to be equal with blacks, but they actually pity them which is why Tom didn't have a chance in court.

Chidera Azubike

5/12/2013 12:17:07 pm

When they talked about Tom's wife, they spoke as if (in there eyes) she was just as bad as Tom, like she needed help. They also spoke as if the entire black community was at fault and needed to be forgiven, the most troubling thing was, the way the talked you wouldn't believe they were talking about fellow human beings.

Stella Ji

5/12/2013 12:28:40 pm

Like everyone else has said, the majority of the women in the circle believe they are higher than the black population. They sympathize for the mrunas and the people that J. Grimes Everett are around but not for the black population around them. Mrs. Merriweather even calls Mrs. Roosevelt a hypocrite for coming to Birmingham and trying to sit with the black people. Their attitude towards the black population around them is what caused the outcome of Tom Robinson's conviction. If they had the same attitude towards the mrunas and the black population around them, the convinction wouldn't have been the same.

Nikki Gandhi

5/12/2013 03:01:56 pm

Question 1: In the Maycomb ladies group, there is a large amount of hypocrisy. Especially with women like Mrs. Merriweather who is "brought to tears when she thinks about those oppressed" but then goes and condemns the blacks who feel sad or sulk. They also feel as if black cannot change no matter what they do. That if they try to educate blacks or convert them to Christianity that they will still be unsafe. They view blacks as inhumane and do not trust them. While others like Miss Maudie do see that blacks are human, some women may feel the need to agree with other women to fit into the ladies circle. As for the Tom Robinson case, its obvious, many people are opposed against trusting blacks. The women who have no say in the trial still believe that blacks are wrong so the men must feel even more strongly for that.

Luca Tomescu

5/6/2013 07:30:17 am

The general opinion of the ladies is that blacks are unintelligent, incapable of learning the "proper" white ways, such as Christianity, and simply BAD people who are, at best, tolerated. Mrs. Farrow states that no matter how much one tries to teach blacks, "'... there's no lady safe in her bed these nights,'"(Lee 311). The ladies share this awful stereotype with the majority of the town's white population, which is the only reason why Tom Robinson was tried as guilty, despite all of the evidence pointing towards his innocence. Whenever it comes down to the word of a white man versus the word of a black man, the white man will ALWAYS emerge the victor. The townspeople immediately assumed that Tom was just another lying, law-breaking nigger, and that is the sole reason why he was convicted of raping Mayella Ewell.

Ms. B

5/9/2013 06:21:32 am

Interesting that you say this, Luca, because Lee makes it clear in the book that both sides of town practice Christianity. So, my follow-up question: According to the book, is there a difference between white Christianity and black Christianity...or are we discussing something else entirely?

Luca Tomescu

5/9/2013 07:06:25 am

Well, I think that even though both races practice the same religion, the ladies of Maycomb don't really view "black" Christianity in the same way that they view their own beliefs. Or maybe they think that, despite practicing Christianity, the blacks don't follow the the rules or teachings of the religion.

Chris Bowen

5/9/2013 11:25:01 pm

Answer to Ms Bellon's response question about Christianity. I think the black and the white sections of town practice the same Christianity, but the blacks practice a more southern Babtist while the whites practice a more organized almost like Catholocism. Even though they practice the same religion the whites deem themselves better and look down upon the blacks even in the same religion

Lilli Peters

5/11/2013 09:39:15 am

If you were to be an outsider I believe one would think that Christianity is Christianity because it all is based off of the same belief. However I believe that the experience in a white church vs. a black church is entirely different. The white church is very shallow and based on appearance while the black church is based on hope of one day being equal.

Luca Tomescu

5/12/2013 07:02:21 am

Back to what Lilli was saying, there is some difference between the black and white versions of Christianity. Both races have slightly differing views on it, and they think that the other race's Christianity isn't quiet as good as their own, especially from the white's point of view. They don't view black Christianity in the same way that they view their own version of the religion, despite it being inherently the same.

Zach H

5/12/2013 11:54:04 am

The Black Churches seem to be poorer than the churches for the whites, but the black christians do not care about the size of their church, they want to practice the same type of christianity as their white counterparts

Sarah Fletcher

5/12/2013 09:03:56 pm

I think tere is definently a difference between white Christianity and black. Even when the women are around te table talking about everything you see that. I think that they think since they practice "black" Christianity they aren't as knowledgable and don't understand te bible and it's teachings.

Luca Tomescu

5/8/2013 08:36:05 am

(Answer to Question #2)

My opinion on the matter is that it was actually Tom's own fault that he died. In chapter 24, Atticus tells Aunt Alexandra and Calpurnia that Tom "'... just broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and started climbing over. Right in front of them--'" (Lee 315). Tom obviously knew that what he was doing would end badly for him. He knew the guards would shoot him long before he reached the top of the fence and managed to escape. His actions were simply those of a desperate man who no longer has the will to live. Now, you could, of course, argue that it was the town's fault, or Mayella's, or Bob Ewell's, but one could go on a wild goose chase back in time to a point where they could blame just about anyone for Tom's death. I do think that a small part of it was the town's fault, but ultimately, Tom's death was his own doing.

Melinda Cloudy

5/8/2013 10:21:17 am

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Tomescu. Granted, once he was in jail after the trail, Tom did cause his death by trying to break out. But if the jury had voted Tom not guilty, he would have never been in that situation in the first place. Obviously Tom should not have tried to jump the fence, but let's be honest: he had been accused of a heinous crime he did not commit, had a trial where he knew the unfortunate outcome before it even started, then he was put in jail when he has a family to provide for. I think that anyone in that situation would go at least a little crazy, maybe not to that extent, but a little bit.

Luca Tomescu

5/8/2013 11:54:30 am

I completely understand where you're coming from Ms. Cloudy because the jury's decision did eventually lead to Tom basically killing himself, but I believe that Tom had the option to live out his sentence. It does not specify how long Tom's prison sentence was, but even if it was for life, I'm sure that he would still have the chance to see his family every so often and see his kids grow up. Tom made the decision to commit to this futile course of action, and through that he chose to abandon his helpless wife and children.

Ruona Eruvwetere

5/9/2013 12:47:27 am

I disagree with Luca and would like to add something for everyone to think about. Tom Robinson was in jail for a crime he didn't commit(That is what evidence is showing). If this was you and you where in such a horrible place for a crime you didn't commit for the rest of your life, wouldn't you consider taking yourself out of you pain by trying to run away. I believe that he knew the chance of being killed would be there but he saw something more. If he succeed in running away he would get to see his family and start over in a new town that knew nothing about his past. I don't think any of us would turn down a opportunity like that.

Luca Tomescu

5/9/2013 04:50:51 am

I agree with you when you say that Tom did that to take himself out of his misery, and because he had a small sliver of hope of seeing his family again. That doesn't really change who's fault it was though. It was still his decision to climb that fence. I have to disagree with you when you say that almost anyone would take an opportunity like that. In fact, I believe very few people would do that. Lets say you have a 95% chance of getting shot and a 5% chance of actually escaping (and even that's being a little bit hopeful). I think most people would choose to stay in jail, despite being there for something they didn't do.

Dayo ♥

5/9/2013 12:45:56 pm

True but this is something im unsure of, if he hadnt ran, would he had just stayed in jail or would he had been electric chaired or however u say it?

Chris Bowen

5/9/2013 04:47:36 am

I disagree with Luca, the town's attitude towards blacks threw him into jail and led him to be shot without second guess because he is black and looked down upon. On the other hand I agree with Luca in the fact that Tom escaped knowing the consequences. He had nothing to live for knowing he was unfairly tried and thrown in jail for something he didn't do. He had nothing left and would have maybe been killed because it was a capital offense in Maycomb and would have to either face a long time in prison or put to death. All he had was his family and he risked his life to try and get back to them knowing all he is something to gain. If he gets out he is successful, and if he is killed while escaping he believes its the same as being in prison for a long time over an unfair trial.

Sarah fletcher link

5/12/2013 09:11:57 pm

I totally free with Chris. From the beginning it was the town and its racism who threw him in jail. He wouldn't have been there if he wasn't (in my opinion) him being falsely accused.

Chand

5/12/2013 03:11:53 am

I can see you're point of you Luca and I would agree with you, but only partially. I feel that Tom wouldn't be in that position firstly if others would not have lied or let their personal jugements in the way. Yes Tom should have waited as Atticus had suggested but he wouldn't be in the position if it weren't for others

Kirtana

5/12/2013 04:35:56 am

Yes it was partially his fault but in his defense its not like he was probably in the right state of mind to begin with, if you were going on trial for something that you did not do and knew and had it set in your mind that you were going to be convicted you would do something crazy as well. As for the rest of the town it's not like the police man was under this pressure so I think that it should be his fault. You don't just accuse a man of rape after two people say that it was him, if I went to the police and told them you raped me they wouldn't just be like okay lets go arrest Luca and put him on trial no they would need for evidence. And if Mayella and Bob weren't crazy liars no one would have needed to die. And if Bob had been a better father none of this would have happened either. It can't just be Tom's fault because there were more factors that contributed to his death.

Abigail Cloudy

5/8/2013 12:27:39 pm

The women all claim that black people are unintelligent and lack manners. I think that the women might not actually feel this way about the black community, they just say those things to go with the flow. They don't want to go against what is normal in this town. I think this is why Tom gets falsely convicted, The jury and citizens know the truth but are too scared to "break tradition".

Ruona Eruvwetere

5/9/2013 12:35:35 am

I completely agree with Abigail. There was no solid evidence to say that Tom was guilt but the fact that the jury was racist ,and the people that where accusing Tom of rape where white , made it easier for the jury to say Tom was guilty.

Hayden Crusberg

5/12/2013 12:18:09 pm

Surprisingly enough, I agree with Ruona. The people are just racist white folk and he was by no means in a jury of his peers. Had he been in a fully black jury or even a mixed jury for that matter alongside with the proper evidence the case would have gone no where to begin with.

Ariel Heins

5/12/2013 06:33:38 am

Do you really think that these women are just simplying "saying this" to go with the flow? They are white women in the South. I would have to disagree. Im pretty sure they mean what they said

Sarah fletcher

5/8/2013 12:47:34 pm

I agree with Abigail. It's human nature to defend yourself when you've even accused of something you didn't do. He didn't do the crime so of course he's going to want to escape. His life is on te line wpuldnt you do everything you could do too?

Chand

5/12/2013 02:25:00 am

i think many people are to blame for his death.
1. mayella for not telling the truth. She was trapped in the house and saw Tom as a way of breaking a barrier. once she broke the barrier she found that she was more trapped than ever. She had Bob harming her along with internal guilt/ embarassment. She thought lying was the way to escape all this
2. Bob for being one of cause of this entire problem. Bob could have let Mayella out more
(let her be mre free) and abuse her less to avoid going to court in the first place. He could have not lied in court or in the town
3. the people of all towns. Not only Maycomb people were responsible for this but also the towns. Their perspectives were the reason he went to jail

Ms. B

5/9/2013 12:40:02 am

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

My question: Who is responsible for his death?

(Not sure why this did not show up yesterday...my apologies. Here it is.)

Chris Bowen

5/9/2013 04:39:48 am

Answer to question #2
The guard are the obvious answer to the death of Tom because they shot him while he was trying to escape the prison. But if you track back to how he got in prison, it is because of the racist town. He was said to be guilty even though the evidence in my opinion said he was innocent, but no matter the facts he was said to be guilt because of his race. The town's attitude towards blacks made him be thrown in prison, and when he was trying to escape they shot him because they are doing their job and because he is black so they believe he is worthless and unimportant in society.

David Hartman

5/9/2013 11:13:53 am

I agree with this conclusion, mainly because it was not one person who killed Tom but many who thought ill of him due to the color of his skin. Well thought out response Chris

Ariel Heins

5/12/2013 06:36:13 am

I agree with Chris and Dave. This is a great way to put out the entire conclusion of how he eventually died/got shot. It was many peoples fault since it was a jury judge and guard.

Stella Ji

5/9/2013 12:17:02 pm

I don't think one thing/person is responsible for the death of Tom Robinson but rather multiple events and people. First of all in the whole town of Maycomb, no one believed in Tom except for Atticus Finch. It was always his word against Bob Ewells. I think once he was put in prison he gave of hope of ever getting out. Secondly, during the trial when Mayella is testifying against Tom, she is defending her dad, who constantly abuses her, even when its not the truth. I think throughout these events, Tom loses his drive to live a free life.

Nikki Gandhi

5/12/2013 03:09:39 pm

I agree with the town being to blame. They all had their own opinions and did not think about Tom at all. If they had, Tom would not have tried to escape. Mayella can also be the blame for not telling the truth and saving herself as well as Tom. The town does play a large role although because the pressures of society had pushed Mayella and Tom to do what they did.

Chand

5/12/2013 02:26:00 am

Kirtana

5/12/2013 09:29:36 am

I agree with Chand I think that it was all the people in the town as well and that you can't just blame the jury because they weren't the only ones who said that Tom was guilty it was almost all the whites!

Ryan

5/12/2013 03:43:02 pm

Do u think if this situation happens again would the people of maycomd think twice

Shahzaib

5/12/2013 03:06:43 am

I believe the jury was responsible for Tom Robinson's death. Atticus had defended Tom really well, however, because of his race, the jury said he was guilty. If they just said Tom was innocent he wouldn't have tried to escape.

Kirtana

5/12/2013 04:41:29 am

I think that it was everyone who was involved in the case that was against Tom and not even just the case but everyone in the town who just assumed that Tom was guilty. Getting accused for doing something that you didn't do and getting put on a trial in front of everyone knowing that everyone already thinks you are guilty is a lot to put on just one person. Also Mayella. I know that she has been through a lot and whatever but that does not excuse you to blame an innocent man and put his life at risk. And obviously Bob's for doing that to his daughter and putting her in the situation where she lied and blamed Tom which eventually led to his death. But it wasn't just any two people it was everyone who said anything against Tom and put him in the place where he would want to escape and risk his life to.

Abigail Cloudy

5/12/2013 07:06:17 am

I agree with you Kirtana, but I also think it wasn't only people who thought he was guilty, it was also the people who knew he was innocent but were to scared to stand up against the racism in Maycomb.

Kirtana

5/12/2013 10:33:12 am

This is an answer to question 2!

Zach H

5/12/2013 12:14:51 pm

I agree with Kirtana. Everyone in town seems to think that accusing a black man is the right way to go, and they all believe that he is guilty before they even heard any of the facts.

Hunter Scharf

5/12/2013 05:43:46 am

I believe that it goes all the way back to the jury. Because of their racist, prejudice, and bias thoughts, they convicted an innocent man, condemned to prison where he would also have it tough, being that the time period was early 1900's. Tom Robinson trying to escape, I feel, was an excuse the guards used to justify the killing of him. It did not need to end like that for Tom Robinson, as the guards could have shot him in the shoulder or leg to wound him but not kill. The guards were just waiting on an oppurtunity to pounce on Tom Robinson as soon as they could.

Chand

5/12/2013 06:11:57 am

I agree with you on this except for the part about the racist jury. I feel that the jury was pressured by everyone in the court room. With the white community sitting right in front of them and seeing what Bob was able to do to Tom, they seemed more afraid than racist

Ariel Heins

5/12/2013 06:40:01 am

Many people are at fault for Tom Robinson's death. There are many ways you could argue it. It could be Tom's- He did go in to Mayella's yard and run when her father came, acting a little strange. It could be the Jury's- They are the ones that condemned him to his death. They gave the verdict. It could also be the Guard's- He was the final one that did the deed, even if it was his job or obligation.

Nikki Gandhi

5/12/2013 03:12:55 pm

I'm a bit opposed to this. I would not blame Tom for following the orders of Mayella. He was used to her and almost trusted her. Also she was white so he couldnt just oppose the help she needed. Tom almost sympathized with Mayella so he wouldn't be to blame for that. However the jury can be to blame because of their conclusion, Tom viewed death as the only option and he wanted to die trying.

Pheba Joshua

5/12/2013 11:27:48 am

I feel that the whole town or least those who thought Tom to be guilty are responsible for his death. Mainly it is the guard they just found an excuse to kill them when he tried to escape prison.

Anisha Kumar

5/12/2013 11:58:09 am

Tom was killed by the guards while trying to escape from jail. But I also feel like Tom was also killed inside mentally by the ignorance in him.

Nikki Gandhi

5/12/2013 03:01:21 pm

Question 2: In the chapter, It is said that Tom Robinson was shot 17 times for trying to escape the prison. Isn't 17 times a bit excessive? But, it is not the prison who is responsible for the death. It is the people who led him to want to escape. In a sense you could blame Bob who uses Tom as an excuse to abusive his child. He knew he could get away with it if he blamed Tom, so he took advantage of it. Therefore causing Tom to be in this situation. It was almost like Tom was committing suicide because he knew either way he had no escape.

ryan

5/12/2013 03:37:32 pm

The guards but it really is the people of maycomb for not giving him a chance

Sarah fletcher

5/12/2013 09:20:09 pm

The guard is the one who shot and killed Tom Robinson. If you look deeper though it would be racism that truly killed him. Like I said earlier he would be there if it wasn't for the town. It's my personal opinion that the conclusion of the trial was even based on race. Therefore leading him to his death.

Ruona Eruvwetere

5/9/2013 01:09:48 am

I believe that Mayella Eewill is responsible for Tom Robinson's death. "She must put Tom Robinson away from her. Tom Robinson was to her a daily reminder of what she did.Now what did she do? She tempted a negro. She was white and she tempted a negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: She kissed a black man. Not an old uncle, but a strong, young negro man."(Lee,271)
If Mayella hadn't tried to seduce Tom Robinson in the first place none of this would have happened. She repaid his kindness with lust . This is understandable because we can assume her father sexually abuses her ,"She said she'd never kissed a grown man before an' she might as well kiss me. She says for me to kiss her back."(Lee 260) , which would leave a hole in the life which she wanted to fill with Tom Robinson. But she should have reported what her father did to her so that she could be free of him. Also she should have spoken the truth from the beginning and told the judge that Tom Robinson didn't rape her. The fact that she entertained this lie for this long makes her the most guilty person. If she had said the truth then Tom Robinson wouldn't have to go jail and he wouldn't have run to that fence and he wouldn't have died.

Stella Ji

5/9/2013 12:27:51 pm

I completely agree with you Ruona. I think Mayella may have had the greatest impact on the outcome of the trial. After all she was the so called 'victim' in this case. If Mayella hadn't lied, I don't think Tom would've lost his drive to fight for himself instead of attempting to escape.

Dayo ♥

5/9/2013 12:39:54 pm

Yes, Mayella is primarily to blame but the jury had the power to trump her bad decision and set Tom free instead of convictng him of a crime he didnt commit

Ryan

5/12/2013 03:46:23 pm

If they had let tom go what's the next step for the city of maycomb

Dayo ♥

5/9/2013 12:50:37 pm

Perhaps her loniless and ignorance is what led her to lustfully charge after an african american knowing good and well that she would win in the case that was presented. But what did she benefit? She could've just "raped" him and commanded him not to tell a soul, did she have to put his life on the line because of her selfish reason? Maybe her lonliess was the cause of Tom Robinsons death. Just maybe.

Shahzaib

5/12/2013 03:16:05 am

I agree, Mayella is the primary cause of the conviction, if she would have told the truth Tom wouldn't have been sent to prison.

Hunter Scharf

5/12/2013 05:49:08 am

I also agree with Ruona. Guilt can eat a person alive, and if that doesn't , the town certainly would if she tempted a negro. Like Atticus said in the trial, tempting a negro breaks a code in their society, although it isn't a good code. She had to do something to save herself, and the easiest route was blaming the person there when she tempted a negro, and someone with less rights than her: Tom Robinson, who was inevitably killed because of Mayella Ewell.

Ariel Heins

5/12/2013 06:42:16 am

I didn't even think about Mayella. But now that I have read your response, it brings up a great point. None of this really would have happened if she didn't try to seduce him. Great point.

Abigail Cloudy

5/12/2013 10:13:07 am

I think you have a good point Ruona, Mayella did play a part in Tom's death but I also think that Bob played a bigger role in his death. I think that Mayella was too scared to tell the judge that her father beat her because her dad would probably beat her more. Also, if her dad went to jail then she would be left by herself to raise all of her siblings.

Anisha Kumar

5/12/2013 10:42:52 am

And to add on to the people agreeing with you, I totally agree with you Ruona. Tom wouldn't have stood up for himself if she hadn't lied at the trial. I think she impacted this trial's decision the most, but at the end, the Jury was the one that made the final decision.

Zach H

5/12/2013 12:09:59 pm

I agree partially with Ruona. A lot of the blame should land on the person bringing the innocent Tom to trial. But the main reason she didn't report the truth is most likely because she is scared of her father

Sarah fletcher

5/12/2013 09:25:07 pm

I agree with ruona. I never looked at blaming one person but she woul be the one to blame. If she would've stood up to her dad or got help they wouldn't be here. She's killing an innocent man and it doesn't occur to her

Ruona Eruvwetere

5/9/2013 01:10:04 am

Chris Bowen

5/9/2013 11:01:24 pm

The part where Ruona said that Mayella is the one responsible is a great conclusion. But I disagree with that conclusion. I think Mayella is faking the part that she regrets what she did, and wanted to keep leading on Tom in her room. She didn't feel bad about what she did, but she knew what the town would think about her and her family if they found out she tempted a negro. She didn't want to bring shame to her family so she brought Tom to trial. The towns attitude towards blacks brought Mayella to try Tom and the town's attitude convicted Tom guilty of the rape offense.

David Hartman

5/9/2013 01:10:15 am

Question #2
To provide an answer for who is responsible for the death of Tom Robinson, one must first review the facts. Atticus defended Tom to the best of his ability while in court, and Tom was still charged with the rape and beating of Miss Mayella Ewell. Atticus told Tom that there was a good chance that he would not be convicted after his case reached a higher court. Tom decided to take action, ignoring what Atticus had told him, and attempted an escape from where he was temporarily being held. Tom was shot after he began to climb the fence surrounding him and after a fair warning by the jail guards, he was fired at maliciously and killed. Because Tom is a black man in the far south, it was unlikely that he would escape persecution for the crime he supposedly commit. Tom knew this, he knew that despite the efforts of Atticus, Judge Taylor, and all others who tried to help him in some way, that he would not get out of this dilemma. It is irrefutable that prejudices existed in certain parts of the United States at this time, and all though 'the court is a level playing field', it really is not. So to conclude my response, it is not Tom who is responsible for his death, nor the guards', but rather the years of racism and bigotry that has been present for years before this trial.

Stella Ji

5/9/2013 12:40:32 pm

I agree. While Mayella's testimony may have had the greatest impact on the trial, I think the racism by far had the greatest impact on Tom's death.

Lilli Peters

5/11/2013 10:00:01 am

While reading your argument you made some very good points. I completely agree with everything that you said, but it also raised some questions in my mind. For one, you talked about how Tom went against Atticus' advise and attempted to escape anyway, so could you blame Tom for his own death? His lack of education and his inability to trust a man who had been trying to save his life lead him to escape. Therefore, it's also arguable that this caused his death.

David Hartman

5/12/2013 01:50:21 am

Good point, I suppose you could argue that Tom is responsible for his own death due to his lack of education. However, I do not believe it is his fault for being so uneducated, as he was probably not attending school for the majority, if any of his life, because he is black, poor, and living in the South.

Melinda Cloudy

5/12/2013 02:09:59 am

I see your point Ms. Peters, but i have to disagree. First of all I don't think that Tom's level of education had anything to do with his death. Secondly, I don't think it was so much that Tom didn't trust Atticus, as it was that he just couldn't handle the situation. He had been through a lot, that he 100% didn't deserve. Also, he wasn't able to his family very much, and I think he just snapped.

Sarah Fletcher

5/12/2013 09:29:10 pm

I see where lillis coming from, but I don't totally agree with her. I never looked at it that way. I feel though that if you were in a life or death situation you would run. He knew he was and so he chose to run. It's like when you hear the gun at a track meet you don't stand there you run. It's our instinct.

Shahzaib

5/12/2013 03:12:53 am

I agree with you Dave, Tom Robinson was sent to prison because of his race, even though all the evidence showed he was innocent

Hunter Scharf

5/12/2013 05:58:30 am

Dave makes an outstanding point here. The fact that people in the U.S. were so willing to not change throughout time shows a lot. After slaves were outlawed following the Civil War, blacks were still treated very poorly. Years and years of discrimination boiled their hearts to make them stand up and fight for and eventually receive their natural born rights during the Civil Rights Movement. It's tragic it took so long for them to finally be considered equal, and sadly it they weren't looked upon that way before Tom Robinson's trial in the deep south.

Anisha Kumar

5/12/2013 10:58:29 am

Dave, I definitely agree with you. All I have to say to this is that the Racism beyond anything had the greatest impact on the death of Tom.

Melinda Cloudy

5/9/2013 09:50:47 am

To be precise, Tom's death was caused by Mayella Ewell. If she had never tried to kiss Tom, he would have never have been accused of rape, gone to court, or have been sent to jail. Her one mistake cost Tom his life.

Dayo ♥

5/9/2013 12:37:00 pm

Response to Question #1: Diffrent people had differnt opinions during the meeting. Women like Ms. Merriweather seemed very hypocritical. She says that she understands the struggle of the african american community after learning about the life Mr. Everett is living in his country, but refuses to realize that Tom Robinson was innocent. She basically insults his family by saying they're unchristian. The whole forgive and forget thing stumped me. I felt like she was saying that she forgave the Robinsons, like she was one of the women who genuinly believed that Tom was gulity. Then theres Mrs. Farrow who says "we can educate them till were blue in the face, we can try to till we drop to make christians out of them but theres no lady safe in her bed these nights". This was obviously targeted to Tom and his accusions but what I dont understand is even after hearing and seeing all the proof that Tom was innocent they still believe he isnt because of his skin color.

Response to Question #2: The men of the jury are to blame. If he hadnt gotten there in the first place he obviously wouldnt have to escape. The men of the jury were unfair men which led to unfair concequences. If they had taken an unbiased approach to Mr. Robinsons situation and stood in his shoes like Atticus continually suggests, Tom would be a free man. He would be united with his community and more importantly his family. His wife wouldnt have to deal with his death and everything would have been entirely different. One mistake made by several men cause domino affects, harming everyone that it touches.

Melinda Cloudy

5/12/2013 01:45:35 am

I do agree that the jury had an effect on the death of Tom, however, it wasn't the sole cause. If Tom had never been accused of the crime in the first place, then he would have never been in court in the first place. It all leads back to the Ewells.

Abigail Cloudy

5/9/2013 01:16:07 pm

I blame Bob Ewell for the death of Tom. first of all, it was probably Bob who beat up Mayella. If Bob hadn't attacked her, leaving her with bruises and etc, then there would have been no evidence to have a trial. Secondly, Mayella lives a pretty crappy life thanks to her dad. Maybe if she had friends than she wouldn't have the desire for Tom's attention. Lastly, her dad left her with all those chores. If she hadn't had that hard work to do then Tom probably would't have come near her in the first place.

Lilli Peters

5/11/2013 10:03:59 am

I agree with you Abigail. It's easy to blame Mayella (which I originally did), but it is good to look at the cause of her actions. She was raised by a crazy which caused her to be crazy. If Bob, had been a normal guy, chances are she would have ended up normal as well.

Sarah fletcher

5/12/2013 09:00:05 pm

I agree with lilli. When your treated the way she is you seem to start to go crazy. Her dd obviously was threatens her and that's why she does the stuff she does.

Pheba Joshua

5/12/2013 11:39:02 am

I agree Mayella was at fault but was raised by Bob Ewell is who could also be responsible for Tom's death. But, his death wouldn't have even happened if it wasn't for the racism throughout the whole town.

Ms. B

5/10/2013 04:25:56 am

QUESTION 3-
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.

Chand

5/12/2013 02:59:18 am

I think Harper Lee divided the book to show a shift in the personality and to show a change in how they view the world. In the beginning of the book, Lee showed their fear of Boo and their curiosity. She showed their personality as the original in the beginning. The second part was the proof of how the socienty changes people including children.
In the end they connect because Lee proves her point of looks can be deceiving. That until you see both sides of the story you cannot judge

Hunter Scharf

5/12/2013 06:06:42 am

I agree, and also after they see both sides of Maycomb and the town's attitude toward Tom, it's like the children's eyes pop open for the first time. They realize that there's more to their sleepy old town town then they once thought.

Abigail Cloudy

5/12/2013 06:13:40 am

I agree with Chand. As Scout, Jem, and Dill grow up, their interests change. At the begining of the story Boo is the most interesting thing to them, but as they grow, a more mature subject is the most interesting thing to them. I think the first half is about Scout being little and innocent, and the second half is when Scout matures and loses innocence.

Jodianne Piniones

5/12/2013 01:22:21 pm

I agree as well. The children have definitely changed their perspective of the town. Adding to what Abigail said about Scout, Scout started off as innocent and good-hearted, untouched from the evils of the world, but then she sees the evils which includes racial prejudice and also learns of the human capacity for evil & good. These differences show a shift between the 2 parts.

Shahzaib

5/12/2013 03:46:24 am

I believe that Harper Lee divides up the book to show the two sides of Maycomb. The first part shows the innocence present in the county, and how the children are still learning about what goes on in and outside Maycomb. The second part shows how innocence is lost and the reality of what is happening.

Zach H

5/12/2013 12:31:29 pm

I agree with Shahzaib. The adults in the society could not keep innocence throughout Maycomb, and the children learn very rapidly what they are supposed to believe in

Carter H

5/12/2013 01:53:40 pm

I agree with Shahzaib. Harper Lee first shows the kids believing everything they hear about Boo Radley in the first part of the book and at first they believe everything. They soon realize Boo is actually giving them stuff and caring for them. In the second part the kids see the actual stuff that is happening with the way the town of Maycomb treats the black population.

Hunter Scharf

5/12/2013 06:04:27 am

To me, it's ironic that kids in the south, growing up around racism no matter how innocent they were, were afraid of whites than blacks. Blacks weren't necessarily feared but instead looked down upon greatly. But instead, the children looked upon Boo Radley in a weird way and Tom Robinson as a normal person who shouldn't be judged by the color of his skin. And they display that feeling by saying that it wasn't right what people did to Tom Robinson. In conclusion, I say that Lee was trying to point out that the children were VERY different from the rest of Maycomb, and he pointed it out all throughout the book.

Nikki Gandhi

5/12/2013 03:17:56 pm

I agree with this but i also disagree. I think the reason the kids viewed Tom as a normal person is because they were taught by their father that he was a normal person but other people weren't taught that. They were taught that all black people are bad. But I agree because the children are different from the rest because their minds are more innocent so when they learn things at a young age, that is what they believe.

Abigail Cloudy

5/12/2013 06:39:11 am

I think that in the first half of the book, Scout is naive, but in the second half she grows older and loses innocence. This is shown through the activities Scout does during the book. In the first half, the most interesting thing to Scout is a myth about Boo. In the second half, Scout cares about the trial which is an adult topic. Also, I think the stories effectively connect in the end. From the items left in the tree and Jem's pants being sewn up, it is hinted at that Boo cares about Jem and Scout. Then at the end of the book when Boo comes to Scout's and Jem's rescue, it is clear that Boo cares about the children. Plus, the trial and all of that business is the reason that Bob attacks in the first place. The end unites some of the major events from the first half with some of the major events of the second half.

Ariel heins

5/12/2013 06:47:04 am

I disagree with TKAM. The two parts are connected. The kids are just finding themselves and growing up in the first part but in the second their personalities have totally transformed they are not just the innocent, curious children as they were in the beginning they know all the bad that goes on in the town and realize the racism. Though they may be young, these kids learned a lot about their world in a few years that center around the book.

Ryan

5/12/2013 03:40:28 pm

What would happen if every thing was the same except theirs no case

Luca Tomescu

5/12/2013 07:40:15 am

Answer to Question #3

In my opinion, the main reason for the separation of the two central story lines is to simply show how the children grow and mature. They go from worrying about a random "ghost" of a person, to thinking about the trial and death of Tom Robinson and the inequality and unfairness within their own community. Their fascination with Boo Radley in the first half of the novel shows their childish fantasies, curiosity, and knack for causing mischief. After that, things get much more serious for the kids when they have to worry about rape, racism, and death. The trio witnesses Tom's court case, and they are mature enough to recognize that the townsfolk had a biased opinion and that justice isn't necessarily good or even correct. The kids also had to bear Tom's death and the threats made towards Atticus. This is a huge step up from making Boo Radley come out of his house. Ultimately, in the end, the two story lines do converge when Boo saves the children from Bob Ewell. "'Bob Ewell's lyin' on the ground under that tree down yonder with a kitchen knife stuck up under his ribs. He's dead, Mr. Finch,'"(Lee 357). That knife was, of course, placed there by Boo Radley. Had he not done that, Jem and Scout would have probably ended up dead, and Bob Ewell would have gotten his revenge on Atticus.

David Hartman

5/12/2013 01:05:16 pm

It is apparent that the Finch children mature throughout the novel and that the two storylines are present and contribute to their increase of maturuty, but don't they coincide throughout the novel? I say this because they are aware of the Tom Robinson case for a good portion of the book. Anyways, this conclusion is viable and well thought out.

Chris Bowen

5/12/2013 09:17:57 am

The beginning is filled with adventures and stories of Scout, Jem, and Dill. They focus a lot on Boo Radley and how they finally get him out of the house in the scare of being shot. At part two, the book totally parts ways with the main point of the first part. The second part of TKAM is all about where the true colors of the town of Maycomb comes out. All the innocence of the town goes away and we see how racist and bias the town is towards the blacks in the community. The first part of the book is not connected to the last part at all in my opinion because of the loss of innocence.

Anisha Kumar

5/12/2013 12:15:40 pm

I think her purpose of splitting it into 2 different story lines is to show the attitude/personality of the book as it progresses. The sense of curiosity with Boo at the beginning changed at the end. I think the shift in the tone from Lee along with her perspective on everything tied up at the end.

Stella Ji

5/12/2013 01:06:22 pm

I think Lee divided the book into two central story lines to show how Scout, Jem and Dill change throughout the book. Their fascination with Boo Radley show their innocence, while the trial of Tom Robinson show their growing maturity. They go from planning ways of how to lure out Boo to wanting to learn more about why the world is the way it is. In the end, the two story lines come together when Boo saves the children from Bob.

Nikki Gandhi

5/12/2013 03:00:59 pm

Question 3: Throughout the whole story, Harper tried to show the curiosity and innocence of children. She shows how judged Boo was just like Tom. The first part of the story shows innocent and the second part shows the loss of it and gain of knowledge. Also, the first part of the story focuses on adventures of Scout, Dill and Jem while the second part focuses on Maycomb as a whole. Also, it shows how the lies other people tell you make you believe one thing. People believed Boo was bad because that is what they heard and people believe Tom was bad solely because he was black. In the end, we see a connection between the two stories by Boo being mentioned again at the end and us realize the kids have grown as the story had progressed.

Ryan

5/12/2013 03:28:23 pm

I think harper lee divided the book into to parts to show setting and curiosities of boo radley and then switches and shows how a town changes and reacts to a situation

Ryan

5/12/2013 03:33:13 pm

It crazy how the kids grow and notice the city they live in

Sarah fletcher cont.

5/12/2013 09:50:26 pm

I think he divided the book to show a change in personality and to show a part of society. At the beginning of te book you see how the children are curious, naive, and how they have a little relashionship with Atticus. In the middle of the book you see how society is towards racism. This helps create the change in the children. By the end of te book you see the children differently. Yes they still are curious, but not dangerously curious. They now have more knowledge of the world. And lastly you see that their relashionship with Atticus has hanged. He has helped guide then through the trial and what the town was going through, teaching them valuable lessons and growing their relashionship.

Lilli Peters

5/11/2013 09:30:25 am

Answer to Question#1:
The obvious answer to this question is that most whites see themselves above the blacks. However, Mrs. Merriweather displays that some people take this belief to a whole new level. She discusses how the help was sulking after Tom Robinson was convicted as if the color of your skin determines that you aren't allowed to have feelings. Also, Mrs. Farrow claimed that they were incapable of learning anything even though the teachers were perfect and amazing at their job. They act oblivious to the fact that school/education was not placed very high in their community due to the fact that they were going to be discriminated against anyway. This oblivion is exactly the same as the judges oblivion during the trial. No matter how many facts, or how much evidence was put in front of them, racism ruled all. On the contrary, Ms. Maudie didn't speak up however against their racist comments. This shows that the whites who aren't as strongly against blacks are also not as strongly willed.

Abigail Cloudy

5/12/2013 01:39:33 am

I agree with you Lilli. They white people think that the blacks are dumb because even though they have schools they don't know as much as the white population. But the reality is that they don't have as good of schools as the white people, and there is more to being intelligent than just book smarts. Also, i think that part of the reason their is still so much racism in the town has to do with what you said about Ms. Maudie not speaking up against the racist comments. The people in Maycomb who oppose racism, are to scared to say anything against racism.

Lilli Peters

5/11/2013 09:55:19 am

Answer to Question #2:
I believe that indirectly Mayella Ewell is responsible for Tom's death. Basically it comes down to is Mayella coherent enough to realize the effect of her actions. No matter how crazy she acted at the trial, Mayella knew that she was ruining this mans life, and she didn't care. She was unable to swallow her pride and admit what happened, so she made up a story and went with it.

Lilli Peters

5/11/2013 10:15:41 am

Answer to Question #3:
Yes, the story lines seem to be very different. However, when you look deeper I believe that the two kinda base of each other. We are introduced to Boo Radley very early in the story. Scout discusses the Radley's place as "alien to Maycomb's way's"(1.11). The townspeople hate the Radley's simply because they don't act like everyone else. The book then completely switches to focus on Tom Robinson.The sudden shift helps the reader to realize the significance of the trial. We see that this trial is a main point in the book and that Boo Radley shy's in comparison to level of importance. Tom Robinson is a symbol of hatred to the white community of Maycomb. He bring's out the evil inside of most of the white people during/after his trial. In the end, Lee forces the reader to reflect on the attitudes of Maycomb. We see that Boo and Tom symbolize the same thing. They personify the need to fit in. Lee wants us to see that in this small, southern town being different also means being unwelcome.

David Hartman

5/12/2013 02:22:26 am

I agree with your conclusion that Tom and Boo respresent the need to fit in. I came to a different conclusion myself, but this viewpoint has brought me a new perspective on why the two storylines coexist in the novel.

Shahzaib

5/12/2013 03:48:58 am

I agree with your point that both Boo Radley and Tom Robinson were symbols of hatred in the book.

Hunter Scharf

5/12/2013 06:10:43 am

You're right, it's like all I see is hatred gushing out of the book to people who are different. Also, the towns people end up taking out that hatred on Tom, feeling that "justice was done." We really see another side of the town when the trial starts, that, if you're not the same, you shouldn't be here.

Melinda Cloudy

5/12/2013 07:00:22 am

Yeah, what Mr. Scharf said about them thinking that if you're different, you shouldn't be here is true. All the things that Aunt Alexandra said about people's family streaks and things like, "No Crawford Minds His Own Business," are expected by the townspeople (175). It's like everyone in town thinks they know what you're going to be like before they've even met you. And that's what they like, and if you're different, then they don't like that.

Chris Bowen

5/12/2013 12:41:04 pm

I agree with Hunter, all the hatred of the town is all taken out on Tom. They town of Maycomb can't accept different people and instead of trying to include them, they immaturly push them away. They town can't get over their sense of pride and thinking they are better than the "different" people. Instead of embracing and accepting people because of their differencs, Maycomb does the opposite and closes the door to people who are unaccepted by the majority.

Melinda Cloudy

5/12/2013 06:17:16 am

I agree with what you're saying Ms. Peters, but I think it goes beyond just a need to fit in. I think they also represent stereotypes. The folks in Maycomb have all sorts of stories and ideas about both Boo and Tom, and most of them are false. It shows that most people won't find out the truth. They just believe whatever outrageous thing they've heard.

Ariel Heins

5/12/2013 06:50:34 am

I didn't catch at first that Boo and Tom represent something similar but in fact they do. They are the outsiders and unappealing to the town.

Dayo

5/11/2013 02:56:08 pm

Response to Question #3: I think she put the two storylines there to prove a point about Maycomb. Every time they meet someone that isn't particularly up to par with the rules and regulations of the Maycomb traditions, they automatically judge them and give them basically a "death sentence" making the different people completely isolated and unimportant to the town which is obviously unfair to them. Maycomb is like the world. Judging someone by the way they act and automatically reading into a past that you've written for them without getting to know them is how people of this world work. There was major purpose to her separate storylines.

Ava Sanjana

5/12/2013 01:04:53 am

Response to Question #1
I believe, like many of the other individuals on this page, that the reason the women talk so poorly about the black community is becuase they have never actually been in the black community. They let these stereotypes dictate their opinions, that could otherwise be altered if they actually gave the black community a chance, like how Atticus Finch did. But there was also something I found very profound. The women discuss how "unchristian-like" the servants were for complaining, when the women were doing the exact same thing! I believe the women not only give into stereotypes, but also hypocrisy. Mrs. Merriweather is supposedly the most "devout Christian", yet she continues to prove that title invalid by being hypocritical when it comes to the rights of the white and black communities.

David Hartman

5/12/2013 02:13:09 am

I agree with this conclusion of the perception and attitudes of the white women fo Maycomb towards the black community. They should not be so arrogant since they have no idea what the black community is actually like. If anything, they conduct themselves in a manner more distasteful than how they think blacks do.

Chand

5/12/2013 06:15:22 am

I agree with you. Harper Lee's purpose was to separate the story lines and bringing them together to show how similar they were in the end

Luca Tomescu

5/12/2013 08:22:57 am

The two separate story lines do indeed correlate in the way that you mentioned. Both Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are considered outsiders because they are "different" and don't really meet the standards of the townspeople. The citizens simply try to ignore them and keep them out of their lives. Boo is completely isolated from society, and so is his family. Tom is brought to the attention of the community, but is quickly forgotten after the trial. The townsfolk don't feel comfortable when he's in the picture.

Chris Bowen

5/12/2013 12:12:43 pm

I totally agree with Dayo. Even at this school there are people who are looking for a place to fit in, but can't because they are so called "different." The town doesn't accept Boo and Tom because Boo never comes out and all the stories told about him. At the same time, Tom isn't accepted because because he is black and just like the high tea conversation all the whites judge that blacks before ever meeting them.

Ava Sanjana

5/12/2013 01:12:03 am

I completely agree with Rouna's statement for Question #1. Mayella Ewell was a young girl who didn't have enough courage to stand up for herself and tell her side of the story. Tom Robinson's death could have been prevented if she had stood up against her father.

Ava Sanjana

5/12/2013 01:14:48 am

Sorry, *Rouna's response to Question #2.

Ava Sanjana

5/12/2013 01:22:20 am

Ms. Bellon, you asked if there is a difference between black and white Christianity, and my belief is that the white community have a very superficial and shallow version of Christianity in which they practice. It is almost as if they don't take the religion seriously, while the black community on the other hand, I believe practice with a purpose. They practice Christianity with a hope of ending persecution and being treated equally.

Ava Sanjana

5/12/2013 01:31:18 am

Answer to Question #2
Personally, I think Mayella one of the main reasons Tom Robinson died. At the time of the trial, the only person taking the blame off Tom, and putting it on Mr. Ewell, was Atticus Finch. Atticus had very strong and valid evidence that Tom did not commit the crime. His evidence was enough to let Tom go free of charge, yet the extreme persecution in the town did not fail to convict Tom. If Atticus had just one more person on his side, like Mayella Ewell, there could have been a strong chance that Tom would not have been convicted. Unfortunately, Mayella was a scared young girl, like anyone would be in the situation. This is what I believe ultimately lead to the death of Tom Robinson.

Ava Sanjana

5/12/2013 01:36:18 am

I have to agree with parts of Luca's response to Question #2. I do think it was not a very smart decision to jump over the fence. Obviously it would not end well. But I also have to say that his conviction could have been prevented if he had someone else on his side, such as Mayella Ewell, the only other person who could have stood up for him, and made people believe it.

David Hartman

5/12/2013 02:08:29 am

Question #3
There are two distinct storylines present in the novel, both of which the reader must follow to understand the true meaning for the conclusion of the book. One features a mysterious man who lives in solitude, the other a trial that will shake this town at the core and challenge one man to do what is right rather than what others think he should do. Boo Radley and Atticus's life stories converge at last near the end of the story. When Jem and Scout wander home through the foggy field, Mr. Ewell tries to attack them. Being a drunkard he can be very rash. Lucky for the children, that night Boo Radley heard their screams and returned them to their home safely. If Atticus had not presented evidence in court that put Mr. Ewell in a light of utter distaste, offending Mr. Ewell, this may have been avoided. However, Harper Lee wished to tell about an adventure with many twists and turns, so by introducing Boo Radley to the plot as the children are being attacked by drunken Bob Ewell, father of the accused rapist Mayella Ewell, creates a comforting ending for at last every element has been combined and connected together.

Chand

5/12/2013 06:19:11 am

I agree with you. I feel that without the evidence against Bob, Scout's thoughts towards people would have stayed the same. She would continue judging people by how others see him. The evidence against Bob brought the story together, technically

Melinda Cloudy

5/12/2013 06:25:03 am

I have come to the conclusion that Boo represents innocence, and the trial represents growing up. The children start off playing and wondering about Boo. But as they grow up throughout the novel, they start learning about the trial. It marks their transition to becoming older.

Ariel Heins

5/12/2013 06:52:17 am

I totally agree with you Melinda! This is exactly how I felt about the book. As a whole it is a transition from innocence to maturity

Stella Ji

5/12/2013 12:58:23 pm

I agree. The events in this book clearly show the transition from innocence to maturity. The two story lines emphasize this transition further.

Luca Tomescu

5/12/2013 07:56:54 am

I have to agree with this as well. The kid's fascination with Boo is just this childish thing, simply a game that they play. The curiosity they display towards Boo is something only a child would have. After that, they go to worrying all about the trial, which is bad enough by itself (being about rape), but in addition, the kids also have to deal with the knowledge that justice doesn't always work the right way. The evidence all points towards Bob Ewell being the aggressor, but Tom is still convicted of raping Mayella. This especially devastates Jem, and Tom's death later in the book upsets both of the kids.

Dayo ♥

5/12/2013 12:12:35 pm

From Davids statement to Lucas, I completely agree with it all of their statement. They made great points as you can see. It would be useles for me to basically repeat all of their responces but yes I can see where theyre all coming from with the core idea of innocence and maturity.

Zach H

5/12/2013 12:36:06 pm

I agree with Melinda. The children become more careful about what they joke about and do not seem to play around as much.

Ava Sanjana

5/12/2013 08:28:30 am

Question 3
I believe that the separate storylines do not appear to be in correlation, but as you read through the novel, the link becomes clearer. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley both represent outcasts, or something that seemingly does not belong. The storylines also represent the growing and maturing of Scout, Jem and Dill.

Ava sanjana

5/12/2013 08:33:41 am

I agree with Chand. This book almost seems like a narrative to the children's maturation. It also teaches us to have an open mind and not give into stereotypes.

Ava Sanjana

5/12/2013 08:36:08 am

I also have to agree with Melinda! As the children grow older, the content matter does as well. At one time you're talking about a boy who lives holed up in a house, then you're talking about a black man being tried for rape. Obviously, the situations have changed.

Abigail Cloudy

5/12/2013 09:46:59 am

I agree with Ava. At first I didn't realize this, but now I see that Tom and Boo actually have somethings in common. As Ava said they are both outcasts. Also, they both have lies told about them.

Dayo ♥

5/12/2013 12:18:15 pm

Yeah when Ava pointed it out it became appearant that Tom and Arthur aka Boo are so much alike and serve similar purpose in the book.

Alykhan Hashim

5/12/2013 11:42:10 am

question 1
To answer Ms. B's question, the ladies think that whites are the all the way at the top. They think that all blacks are under them because of the fact that they are black. And people back then gossiped a lot so it would make sense that they would talk about black people. And i agree with Sarah about the women acting as if they were royalty. The women in the book tend to gossip about people who they think they are better than. And i also agree with Shahzaib. Miss Maudy didn't say much when the women were talking about race because she just wasn't a raciest person.

Zach H

5/12/2013 11:43:17 am

Question #1
Many of the people living in Maycomb do not have an open mind to the black population, and act in hate of them because they do not want to lose their superiority to them, because the white people feel better to put themselves ahead of the black people. Others do not hate on the black population, but do not exactly promote racial equality. They are just the group of people who do not think that the color of a person's skin decides their rights. This helps explain the conviction because the majority of the people in the court room, even the "fair" jury, believe that they cannot trust a black man because they feel that they know more about the world than the black man, and that the black man is just a second place to their own race

Carter H

5/12/2013 01:24:01 pm

I agree with Zach. Most of the people in Maycomb have no respect for the black population because they feel like they have power over them and they do not want to lose it. The ones that have respect don't stand up for the black population except Miss Maudie, Atticus and his children.

Alykhan Hashim

5/12/2013 11:50:13 am

Question 2
Ms. B: I think that Tom and Mr. Ewell were responsible for Tom's Death. Ms. Ewell for getting Tom into the situation he was in, and Tom foor not listening to Atticus when he said that he will not let Tom die. And Ruona i don't think that Mayella was responsible because her father was hurting her at home, so if she hadn't listened to her father, then the assaulting probably would have gotten worse so it can't be her fault. And Chris i somewhat agree with u, because the guard was doing his job which was not to let prisoners escape. He shot some warning shots as well. But he could have just shot Tom somewhere where it wouldn't kill his but just stop him from getting over the fence.

Carter H

5/12/2013 01:09:56 pm

By Ms.Ewell if you mean Mayella Ewell i agree with you because she is the one that kissed Tom and started everything. If she had not done that the whole situation would not have happened.

Alykhan Hashim

5/12/2013 12:00:53 pm

question 3
Ms. B: I think it all connects the innocence. Boo wasn't the bad person Jem had been told about. His story had been twisted up and lied about to make him look bad. Same thing with Tom. He was really innocent but the people that testified against him made him look bad. And back then in that area, it was taught that blacks were not good people. Was that true? No. Blacks like Tom wanted to help people just out of the goodness of their hearts. I completely agree with Dayo as well. And i agree with Melinda too becuase based on what people hear about u before meeting you, they already think they know what to expect. But what they hear may not always be true.

David Hartman

5/12/2013 12:57:47 pm

I would have to say that I agree with this, mainly because people do tend to judge others and the rumors that may form because of what they say to their friends and neighbors in private contributes to how we perceive these characters.

Stella Ji

5/12/2013 01:01:03 pm

I agree with where you said it all connects to innocence. In addition, I think the mockingbirds symbolize this innocence throughout the book.

Nikki Gandhi

5/12/2013 03:21:34 pm

I agree that all this ties back to innocence. They were not truly bad and were only made out that way because that is what they were taught and they cannot help what the are taught. When you are young you want to explore and see and you believe what you hear. They believe Boo was bad because that is what they heard, but you saw as time went on that Boo wasnt as bad as they had heard. Which is just an example for which Maycomb makes people out to be things they arent. They view the people who arent like them as different and bad. It's almost like they're the only ones who want to be right.

Zach H

5/12/2013 12:04:47 pm

Question #2
The Ewell family are the only people responsible for the death of Tom Robinson. Mayella was lonely, and even though she enjoyed Tom's company, she wanted to save her dignity. Also, Bob Ewell wanted to hide what he did to Mayella so he took advantage of the racial prejudices in Maycomb and the weaknesses of Mayella in order to win the case and ultimately bring the end to the life of a completely innocent man in order to hide up his mistake.

Carter H

5/12/2013 01:04:46 pm

I agree with Zach. Both Bob and Mayella Ewell knew that they could easily convince the jury that Tom Robinson raped Mayella because they were biased toward white people and this all lead to Tom's death

Haydenn Crusberg

5/12/2013 12:11:54 pm

Question 1-
Maycomb has very unconcerned in the way the community acts towards blacks. Zach had said something about "believe that they cannot trust a black man because they feel that they know more about the world than the black man, and that the black man is just a second place to their own race" which i think most people can agree with because is was a very prominent thing throughout this book and the old south in general. It would not matter the education of the black man, no matter what they're discouraged by the whites.

Zach H

5/12/2013 12:28:09 pm

Question #3
Harper Lee separates the book based upon the knowledge, or maturity, that Scout has obtained throughout her journey. In the first part, she hasn't yet been exposed to the racism that goes on all around her. However, in the second part she knows about the differing opinions of the people in her society so she can understand the thoughts of people like Boo Radley, and learn to accept that many others feel the same way about racial division. It is connected well in the end by showing how much Scout has matured throughout the book.

Carter H

5/12/2013 02:00:31 pm

I agree with Zach. In the First part of the book scout does not know anything about the way people are treating blacks around her. The only person she thinks is bad is Boo Radley. In the second part through the Tom Robinson trial she learns about the true views of the town on black people. I agree that she has matured greatly throughout the book.

Hayden

5/12/2013 12:31:57 pm

Question 2-
It can be a very continuous debate on whether or not Tom's death was tragic or if it was the right thing to do. On one hand he was a prisoner making a run for it, but on the other he was sentenced for in many ways, unjust reasons. Chris said something along those lines earlier.

Hayden

5/12/2013 12:38:13 pm

Question 3-
You get 2 very different perspectives and stories. 3 young kids fascination with their neighbor who seems to be nothing more than an old wise tale; then Tom's unjust court case. Its almost like imagination and adventure vs. the cruel reality of our unjust world we call home.

Carter Heard

5/12/2013 12:39:52 pm

Question #1
The people in Maycomb have various views on the black population. For example most of the town, such as Ms.Merriweather, chastise the black population. While at the Finch's house Ms.Merriweather states "Gertrude, I tell you there's nothing more distracting than a sulky darky. Their mouths go down to here. Just ruins your day to have one of 'em in the kitchen." (310) This shows how she believes she is superior to the black population and does not give them any respect. On the other hand there is Miss Maudie, who does not see herself as superior to the black population but the same as them. She does not agree with Ms.Merriweather. This helps explain Tom Robinson's conviction because most of the town ,such as Ms.Merriweather, is racist toward the black population. Even out of the ones that are not, most are not brave enough to say their opinion such as Atticus and Miss Maudie.

Carter Heard

5/12/2013 12:55:16 pm

Question #2
Bob and Mayella Ewell are responcible for Tom Robinsons death. If Mayella didnt kiss Tom Robinson none of this would of happened. Also both Bob and Mayella Ewell both knew Tom Robinson did not rape Mayella and they just needed someone to blame. Bob and Mayella Ewell also lied in court. Tom Robinson would not be in prison if not for Bob and Mayella Ewell.

David Hartman

5/12/2013 01:01:11 pm

Your explanation for who caused Tom's death and imprisonment makes sense, and all though I do not agree with it, this definitely could be a possible reason for what happened to Tom.

Carter Heard

5/12/2013 01:44:56 pm

Question #3
I think Harper Lee made the first part of the book to show the kids growing up and how they were first scared of boo radley and how they realized he actually cared for them and wanted them to be safe. The second part shows the kids maturing and learning about the real bad things that are happening in Maycomb such as the discrimination against the black population and the Tom Robinson trial. I think it effectively connects at the end because when Bob Ewell tries to hurt Jem and Scout but Boo Radley is there to protect them.

Jodianne Piniones

5/12/2013 02:33:24 pm

Question 1-
According to the conversation between the ladies, they show many different attitudes and opinions over black people which gives insight into the women's society. Such as Mrs. Merriweather, she is a hypocritical white woman who believes in the Christian faith but then contradicts this belief as she fails to display a Christian attitude when it comes together to showing compassion. Also, Mrs. Merriweather believes that she is above the black community in all ways. This shows how plenty of Maycomb's citizens doubt the black community in the town, but then there are the few that have the good heart of Miss Maudie who sees herself as equal to the all humans no matter the race. As many people are racist against colored people, this brings my attention to how it affects Tom's conviction.

Jodianne Piniones

5/12/2013 02:33:30 pm

Jodianne Piniones

5/12/2013 02:47:18 pm

Question 2-
I believe that Mayella is the main cause for the death of Tom Robinson because of her continuous lies during the trial. If she hadn't charged Tom with the offense of rape, then Tom would still be alive and the trial would not happen. Additional to this, if Mayella hadn't kissed Tom, a black man, then she wouldn't overreact to her false action and she wouldn't have charged him. Her father is also to blame for as he solely supported Mayella's accusation against Tom.

Jodi

5/12/2013 02:58:27 pm

Question 3-
Harper Lee divided the book into 2 parts to show the shift of Scout's view of the world around her. Scout's mind was fresh, innocent, and hidden from the evils of the world throughout the first part of the book. This all changes as Scout sees how society has the capacity of doing evil and doing good; she begins to see the racial prejudice surrounding her. Scout also matures and changes her perspective on the community. Indeed, the difference between the 2 parts do connect well like a puzzle as Scout finds herself through the other women in the society and grows a maturing mind.

Sarah fletcher

5/12/2013 09:15:04 pm

Dayo asked earlier if he would've stayed in jail if e might have gotten the electric chair or something instead of up right dieing. It's my personal opinion that he would've been hung. Back in tht time that's what they did and they didn't think twice about it.

Period 3 - TKAM Discussion Questions

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