Period 6 - TKAM Discussion Questions - Ms. Bellon's Classroom

Period 6 - 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.

247 Comments

Ms. B

5/6/2013 03:31:39 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?

Fariha Ahmed

5/7/2013 10:03:24 am

In the town of Maycomb, black people are not necessarily discriminated against, but they are definitely not treated as an equal to a white person. It seems that everyone in this town has made up in their minds that African-Americans will never be intelligent, proper Christians, and are just, plainly put, bad people. This is supported by Mrs. Farrow when she says, "We can educate 'em till we're blue in the face, we can try till we drop to make Christians out of 'em, but there's no lady safe in her bed these nights," It is because of these stereotypes that the townspeople harbor that Tom Robinson was “proven” guilty, even though all the evidence pointed away from him. The fact is, in this time setting, a black man’s word is nothing against that of a white man’s. Everyone just assumes that it has to be him simply because he is black, therefore meaning he must be a devious criminal.

Erin Mulcahey

5/12/2013 02:10:17 pm

Doesn't discriminating mean not being treated as an equal? But I definitely agree with the other points you made. The women just assume he is guilty because of his race.

Tiffany Johnson

5/12/2013 02:21:06 pm

I disagree with how you said that the blacks aren't discriminated against. The black population as a whole is held at a lower rank than anyone else.

Hiba

5/12/2013 09:10:00 pm

Discrimination is when something is singled out, or distincted. I feel that based on all the evidence gathered in the book we can safely say blacks were discriminated against. in this pivotal time in history, the distinction of blacks and whites was completely tangible, notably in the south.

Sarah Benni

5/7/2013 11:51:27 am

Many people had different opinions of the colored folks in Maycomb. There were people who pretty much looked down on them and people who looked at them as humans (like Miss Maudie).“The handful of people in this town who say that fair play is not marked White Only; the handful of people who say a fair trial is for everybody, not just us; the handful of people with enough humility to think, when they look at a Negro, there but for the Lord’s kindness am l.” Miss Maudie’s old crispness was returning: “The handful of people in this town with background, that’s who they are.” Some people wished that everyone could be treated equally and given the same opportunities but the majority of the town looked down upon the blacks and thought that they were superior to them. Tom Robinson's was declared guilty because he was black and living in the south where the majority of people were racist, Those handful of white people that thought that everyone should be treated equally had no say in this because in the end majority rules.

Andrew Zheng

5/12/2013 10:35:21 am

1. Although not publicly admitted, the whole of america still suffers from the scars of racism. Racism is not portrayed exactly as it had been during the times of "To kill a Mockingbird" , instead it is of an attitude or perception of the black population as an impoverished and easily crime susceptible people that sometimes leads to trials said trials that are extremely weighted against the black defendant or accused.
2. I believe that although the trial was an eventual loss, the effect it had on Maycomb's population can be evident in the small peek into some of the town's thoughts. This gives hope that the dream of racial equality will become true.

Vibhav Joopelli

5/8/2013 09:19:57 am

The majority of the white population of the town views blacks as inferior and less worthy compared to the whites. Even the lowest and poorest of the town, such as the Ewells, feel dominant and in control of the blacks. It would be extremely disrespectful and looked down upon if a black was to accuse or challenge the authority of a white. This is the case in Tom Robinson's case, as the defendant denies accusations and further claims that he was first approached by Mayella Ewell. This counter-accusation from a black towards a white may possibly be the reason that Tom was still found guilty, despite Atticus's argument making it clear that he was innocent.

My Questions:

1) How does race still affect courtroom verdicts today?
2) After the trial, how different would Maycomb's attitude towards the black community be?

Sakshi Shah

5/8/2013 10:31:18 am

If Tom Robinson had won the case at the first trail, then I believe that the lives of black community would be even harder. White people would not only try to kill Tom Robinson first, but it might also cost the lives of others in the black community.

Jenny Lang

5/9/2013 10:34:41 am

After the trial, I'm sure that the majority of Maycomb's attitude will shift towards accepting and respecting the black community after they realize how wrongfully accused Tom was by the infamous but white Ewell family. I think once Tom is proven innocent, it will cause the idea of the blacks always stealing, cheating and lying to fade. Then again, there will still be citizens in Maycomb who disagree and will not change their negative attitude towards the blacks but they probably won't voice their opinion as loudly as before the trial.

Hiba F. Siddiqi

5/12/2013 10:00:51 am

To answer your question Vibhav, I believe that a lot of times, folks apparant to a race can be wrongly convicted for crimes or negative stereotypes they are stuck with. For example, a middle-eastern man could be wrongly convicted for suspicion of terrorist activity at an airport, but because of the general stereotype, he still may be assumed guilty. But however, I also feel that nowadays, because of the anti-secretive courtrooms and judges and jury of all races, courtrooms in this way have achieved greater equality.

Hannah White

5/12/2013 12:46:30 pm

To your second question...
I think that some people might change their minds about how they feel towards black people. But I also think that many of them will keep their oppinons on how bad they are. They probably think that Tom is guilty and that the courts wrong.

Viren Joopelli

5/12/2013 12:50:47 pm

Regarding your first question, I think the impact of race on courtroom verdicts has faded to very little. As our society has evolved over the past century, racial prejudice or discrimination has become more and more detested. Unfortunately, there are still occasions where we make decisions based on personal bias, such as the example of the Middle Eastern man stated by Hiba. However, our society is definitely trying to move in the opposite direction. Another reason why this change in courtroom decisions has occurred is the fact that we now have access to more absolute methods of finding evidence for crimes, such as DNA fingerprinting, rather than merely the words of witnesses and defendants and the personal bias of the jury, as depicted in the novel.

Tiffany Johnson

5/12/2013 02:16:51 pm

1. The affects of racism has, in fact, scarred the courtrooms up to this day. Although today it isn't as much race as it is social rankings and class. If a low class man is accused of something by a high class women, who are you more likely to believe ?
2. Maycomb's attitude toward the black community would depend on the result of the trial. If Tom Robinson had lost and been sentenced to prison, then the white community's attitude would've been prouder than ever, and they would've only seen themselves as even more superior. However, if Tom Robinson had won, their attitude would've only become more harsh because no one likes losing.

Ada Chau

5/13/2013 01:38:58 pm

I think that the stereotypes presented to us by society influence the way that we look at things. For example, if any kind of bombing happens, many people automatically assume that it is a terrorist attack by a Middle Eastern Islamic man with ties to Al-Qaeda. It may not be the case, but it is easier for people to assume that he is guilty, making a biased jury. A biased jury is sometimes clouded to the evidence given and instead is bent on convicting the man guilty, and that may result in a punishment sentenced to the man, which could be death.

Sakshi Shah

5/8/2013 09:39:01 am

Different aged white girls think and reflect differently between black women. Scout is a young teen which causes her response to the matter to be different than everyone else's on the table. She has been exposed to only what she knows and makes of it, so her reflexes are based very well on things she know's about the black community. However on the other side, older aged women think differently because they know more about black people than what kids have been told. In regard to Tom Robinson's conviction, the kids were at the trial and they judged the case like any non political person would. But every adult person in Maycomb city, who knows better than to support a black individual who might be innocent, would become the part of these politics between blacks and whites; by politics, i mean the set vision in which the black community is viewed in whole.

Sahib Chandnani

5/9/2013 11:00:40 am

I think that on one hand there is a grain of respect among some of the residents of Maycomb but the general consensus is that the African American community should be treated as inhuman and unworthy even in some cases. The women refer to them as "Darkys" and even go as far as to say that there is not a sight in existence that is worse than a "sulky darky." This demonstrates the ease that was involved in the conviction of Tom Robinson. Any case, no matter how underdeveloped, can come to trial if it involves an African American party because the society looks down on them.

Noah Lee

5/10/2013 12:42:16 pm

For the sake of a comment, I don't think the trial was convicted with ease. Like they said, it's was the start in the right direction to end racism because it took so long for them to consider the verdict. Atticus made a real effort to do his best, and the black community recognized that and rewarded him for it as well.

Konan

5/9/2013 12:40:42 pm

I believe the general attitude torward the balck population is a subrdinate, untrustworthy,filthy group of people whose only use in life is hard labor. That bieng said they are technically supposedy to be equal with the white man, but evidently they are not. These connotations os the average black man had a direct correlation of the outcome of this trial. It's an understatement to say the jury was discriminitive against Tom Robinson, and it is also an understatement to say that the evidence was with Tom Robinson. As a reslut of his skin color Tom Robinson was not only shamed for bieng a rapist, was not only put to jail for eternity, was not only torn away from his family whom he loved, but ultimitley he was killed for bieng black

Noah Lee

5/10/2013 12:45:50 pm

For the sake of a comment, I don't think Tom Robinson was shamed (or put to jail for eternity to be technical) for being a racist. The jury that convicted him could not look him in the eyes when they returned, a sight common in all court cases (which means they knew he was a human being and they knew what they had done).

Noah Lee

5/10/2013 12:30:20 pm

In their conversations, the women reveal that the people of Maycomb are either for equality or entrenched in the racism of the time. Those who are racist have an attitude that doesn't extend any thought towards the idea that what they are doing is wrong, it's simply how things are done. At Atticus's insistence, many people are surely convinced and others cracked, but the people who remained against Tom and Atticus simply did not think that there was anything wrong. These people remaining provided a front for the others who were almost convinced to hide behind and go along with things as they were easiest- blame the black man.

Brandon Pham

5/12/2013 01:53:50 pm

I agree with Noah. In Chapter 23, Atticus states, "In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins." To the racist, this is almost tradition. The black man is guilty. To someone who is into equality, this is just wrong. There is very little gray area.

Eric Tsai

5/11/2013 06:03:56 am

In Maycomb, black people are described, by Ms. Merriweather, as distractions and inferior. They are also described as "dissatisfied" people who are made for field work and people who can't learn or who don't have the capacity for change. These attitudes explain Tom's conviction because if something is a distraction the best option is get rid of that distraction for the efficiency of the community as a whole. I believe that most court cases are decided on one's ability to change. The common attitude that the ladies have is that they are unlearning people. So, in conclusion, i think that these attitudes help explain Tom's conviction by the misconception of black people's capacity for change.

Brandon Pham

5/12/2013 02:01:02 pm

You say "attitudes", but all I have read was one attitude: Negro = Bad. What about the attitudes of Miss Maudie and Atticus? They wouldn't describe black people as dissatisfied, inferior, or distractions. All I'm saying is that not everyone will go with the group and believe what others believe. Some will go the extra mile and create their own attitude.

Hiba

5/12/2013 11:18:17 am

I feel as though it was an uneven split, that some people thought of blacks as equals, while most of the population deemed them inferior from normal society. This correlates to Tom's conviction, by the fact that most of the jury did not pursue to understand
Tom's point of view, and assumed him to be guilty.

Gabrielle Humphrey

5/12/2013 11:47:21 am

In Maycomb, the black community is almost viewed as though they're not a part of Maycomb, but rather a lesser branch by most everyone. During this specific time period, race was obviously a huge dividing factor and anyone who was not white was looked down upon. The divide is so severe that even those in the community that are, for a lack of better words, trash, are still above the blacks the most. Societal rank is first based on color then on character. Though this stands true for most of those in Maycomb, there are some who believe that the black community in Maycomb is and should be seen as equal. People such as the Finches and Miss Maudie strongly believe that a man should be judged on his character rather than something unchangeable such as his skins color. The entire idea of a man being judged on color before one can look at his character relates to the Tom Robinson case though. Atticus, a representation of the rare state of mind in Maycomb that does not judge based on race, worked to prove that though Tom was black, he was the true victim of the conviction. Though before even given a true chance to prove himself, Robinson was already placed into a spot in almost ever jurors mind- a pot so filled with prejudice that all they thought was "Black? He must be guilty."

Gabrielle Humphrey

5/12/2013 11:47:50 am

Rithica Deepak

5/12/2013 12:09:12 pm

There are many different attitudes in Maycomb. Most of the people are really racist, but some like miss. maudie are understanding and want the blacks to be treated fairly. One of the ladies says "there is nothing more distracting than a sulky darky". Most of the people are against blacks. This is why the trial is mostly against tom robinson. Most of the town is racist and dont consider blacks as humans. They declared tom guilty just because he is black. I think the result might have been much different if he was white.

Alifa

5/13/2013 07:29:17 am

I agree with Rithica. Blacks are seen as some sort of creature in Maycomb and whites treat them like trash. As i replied to the question, this case would not have happened if Tom was a regular white man.

Viren Joopelli

5/12/2013 12:33:40 pm

Although the attitudes toward black people in Maycomb do vary, the general perspective is that colored people are inferior to white people in society, with there being a few exceptions like that of Miss Maudie, who views blacks and whites equally. This factor played a heavy role in the conviction of Tom Robinson. The jury did not have enough concrete evidence to determine the guilt of Tom Robinson, and therefore had to go by their personal opinion, obviously siding with the superior white population of Maycomb. Although the Ewells were despised and detested by the town, they were still white and regarded as superior to Tom, ultimately resulting in Tom being convicted and killed.

Ada Chau

5/12/2013 12:36:10 pm

In the town of Maycomb, some people see the black community as people who cannot be fully satisfied and who are "supposed" to behave and work a certain way; any other attitude is considered "not being a Christian". Also, they can also be seen as lesser beings, much like a dog; if thought to have done something wrong, it is punished, no matter what actually happened. If they outlive their usefulness, they are sent away. However, people like Scout and Ms. Maudie view them simply as another human being. In Tom Robinson's conviction, the jury was composed mostly of people who believed that the black community were all liars, immoral and not to be trusted around women, with the exception of one person who was supposedly a distant relative of the Cunninghams. Those people, no matter how they looked at the evidence presented before them, saw Tom Robinson as someone who lies and and is guilty; therefore, they gave him a guilty verdict. They did not look at Tom as human being; they looked at him like a dog. A dog, guilty or not, will have a guilty expression on its face when being yelled at, and that results with being blamed for whatever it is it did or didn't do. That is how they saw Tom Robinson: guilty no matter what.

Brandon Pham

5/12/2013 01:38:27 pm

The main attitude of Maycomb is revealed in Mrs. Merriweather's confession about the people in the North: "Hypocrites, Mrs. Perkins, born hypocrites...Down here we just say you live your way and we’ll live ours" (Chapter 24). Most people of Maycomb want nothing to do with negroes or hate them. There are some who disagree such as Miss Maudie who believe in Justice, but a few, quiet voices out on a huge crowd is not enough to be heard. This is what led to Tom Robinson's conviction. The majority of Maycomb don't care for justice. They just want to remove negroes from interfering with their white society.

Alifa

5/13/2013 07:26:12 am

The ladies of Maycomb kept talking and they spoke in a derogatory fashion. They are obviously very racist, but they don't seem to admit it in any point of the story. The white population is not being forced to disrespect the black community, it is all by choice and stereotypes. One of the main reasons that the town thought Tom Robinson was guilty was because of his skin color. If Tom was a white man, Mayella wouldn't even "accuse" him for doing what he didn't do.

alifa

5/13/2013 07:39:08 am

supposed to be one of my originals^

Erin Mulcahey

5/13/2013 11:52:50 am

I believe one of the key moments in the conversation was when Mrs. Merriweather says, "Now far be it from me to say who, but some of 'em in this town thought they were doing the right thing a while back, but all they did was stir 'em up." Mrs. Merriweather, along with many others in Maycomb, believes that the black people should remain as the lower class. They did not agree with the white people who were trying to support Tom Robinson during the trial because they thought it would cause a commotion. However, there were a few people who feel that the black population should be treated as an equal. But because of the very few people who feel this way, Tom was convicted. All in all, Tom was found guilty because the majority of whites in Maycomb who treat blacks unfairly is greater than those who support them.

andrew zheng p6

5/7/2013 04:55:15 am

1. The group decides that the attitudes of the black servants have recently been of ill will toward their work after the trial of Tom, but there are also opinions that the blakc servants are merely feeling the effect of the trail after wards and that they should be allowed respite.
2. Because even these "refined: ladies have a bigoted attitude towards blacks, and see them as inferior to whites, this leads to the assumption that the general population of Maycomb is even worse.

There are 3 questions that I would like to ask.
1. Do you think that the outcome of the trial would have been diffrent if the trial took place 50 years later?
2. Do you think that if Tom Robinson was of the white race, would he have been set free/
3. If Atticus's speech was so well put together, if his plan was so well executed, why was his client still found guilty?

Caitlyn Wingerson

5/7/2013 06:29:33 am

I'd like to provide my opinion regarding your questions:

1. I do believe the outcome of the trial would have been different had the case taken place 50 years later than the events in the book. Looking back, Tom Robinson was guilty based on only CIRCUMSTANTIAL evidence. There was not a single reliable piece of evidence that physically proved Tom Robinson was responsible for what happened to Mayella Ewell. However, because this society had not been through the Civil Rights Movement and because the town was primarily white, the jurors saw fit to "believe" the word of a white man and woman over a black man, no matter the lack of physical evidence.
Another thing I noticed is that back in the 30s, they didn't have the technology we posses today. In the 30s, they didn't know they could physically prove someone guilty based on the presence of their DNA at a crime scene and they most certainly didn't have computers. In a way, back then they almost had no choice but to rely on the credibility of the victims and the defendants. However, because we have such technology today, it would be absolutely absurd to convict someone guilty of a crime based on word of mouth and circumstantial evidence. In that regard, I believe the outcome of the trial would be different, which would also mean Tom Robinson would be proven innocent.

2. Unfortunately, if Tom Robinson was white, I believe the case would have turned out differently. If Tom was white, it would be his word against the Ewell's and his conviction would be based on his credibility against the circumstantial evidence that would no doubt still be presented. I can't say he would be proven innocent or guilty based on the change of his race.

3. I'm sorry to say, but I believe Atticus' speech just wasn't strong enough to break through the racial division of Maycomb.

Sarah Benni

5/7/2013 11:05:39 am

#3) I have to disagree with you on that Caitlyn, I do think that Atticus' speech was good. It should have one the jury over, it's just that the people there had their own views about the colored people and they refused to see any other side of the story then the story of their own kind.

Ms. B

5/7/2013 11:54:11 am

I agree that it takes a lot to break through divisive attitudes of any kind, but you have to wonder about the townspeople of Maycomb as Atticus made that speech... Even though they wouldn't budge on their predetermined notions of guilt regarding Tom Robinson, I wonder how guilty the jury felt casting their guilty vote for Tom. Are we really stuck between social standards and general decency?

Sahib Chandnani

5/9/2013 11:04:24 am

3) I agree but there are certain situations in which the opinions of others are too strong to be trumped by simple verbal argument. Sometimes, something truly revolutionary or groundbreaking is required to sway someone towards or against a value that they have drilled into their minds. He might have not been able to break through the mental block that resides in the mind of Maycomb residents, but he did what he set out to do: He made the best argument possible to win a case in which all the odds are stacked against him.

Sakshi Shah

5/12/2013 11:22:42 am

Ms. B -
If the jury really felt guilty about casting their guilty vote for Tom then I think they would have at least tried to reduce his punishment but nothing sort of that ever take place. I honestly don't believe the jury felt guilty blaming Tom Robinson.

And I don't think we are stuck between the social standards. If the jury or the judge wanted, then the outcome of this case would have been different and it may have changed things in Maycomb in a positive way. But the people of Maycomb are themselves holding on to the racial division and working towards keeping that together instead of breaking through the divisive attitude of the people in Maycomb.

Fariha Ahmed

5/7/2013 10:09:20 am

3) I feel like Atticus' speech, if given today in 2013, would have won over the jury and proven Tom as innocent. But because this is happening in a rural, predominantly white county during the pre-civil rights era, it is not enough to overcome their close-minded ideas about a black man.

Alliyah Davis

5/7/2013 11:14:33 am

1) Yes the outcome of the trial would have been different if trial took place 50 years later because like caitlyn said the civil rights movement would have taken place and instead of it being african americans vs whites the court would see tom robinson as an equal instead of just a black man.
2) If Tom Robinson was of white race he would be set free because there is no evidence to prove him guilty and to prove that he comitted a crime.

Vibhav Joopelli

5/8/2013 05:24:54 am

1) If the trial had taken place 50 years later, the outcome of the trial would most definitely have been different. 50 years later, the same prejudices and racism towards blacks would be incredibly less, allowing the jury to have an unbiased view of the trial, thus proving Tom Robinson innocent.

2) If Tom Robinson was of the white race, he would have been set free, as the only thing influencing the jury's decision to favor Mayella Ewell, was the defendant's race. At this time, if a black man were to be accused of raping a white woman, he would be convicted regardless of overwhelming evidence and discrepancies.

3) Atticus's speech/plan was so well put together and executed that it should have proved to the jury who truly was at fault, as it did. Unfortunately, no matter how strong or powerful, no argument would be able to make the jury see through Tom Robinson's race.

Eric Tsai

5/11/2013 06:06:03 am

My response to question number two would have to be yes. Like in the movie we watched, we saw that in his final argument the lawyers adds, "Now imagine if the girl was white." The black man in the movie was proven innocent and set free. I think much would be the same in TKAM as well.

Tiffany Johnson

5/12/2013 02:38:31 pm

1. Yes, i believe the outcome of the trial would be different if it had taken place 50 years later. The time that this story took place was during the time when slavery was one of the biggest conflicts.
2. If Tom Robinson was white, I believe the case would've been more carefully observed and more efficient evidence would've been found and used.
3. Even though Atticus was the best lawyer in Maycomb, everyone already had a prejudice against Tom Robinson; Atticus couldn't have said anything to change that.

Caitlyn Wingerson

5/7/2013 06:58:11 am

1. During the ladies' conversation, I noticed some of them regarded the black community as unable to process complex thoughts and ideas. Specifically, Mrs. Merriweather complains about how no one sees that "'If we just let them know that we forgive 'em, that we've forgotten it, then this whole thing'll blow over'" (310). In my opinion, her statement gave me the impression that she thought her idea was brilliant and couldn't understand why no one else saw her reasoning, which led her to the assumption that everyone else was not as smart as her. Mrs. Farrow then added to the degradation of the black community by saying, "'We can educate them till we're blue in the face, we can try till we drop to make Christians out of 'em, but there's no lady safe in her bed these nights'" (311). Overall, these ladies believe the black community is generally full of immoral, primal heathens.

2. These attitudes toward the black community help explain Tom's conviction by revealing how the generalizations of the people of Maycomb influenced their choice. It was clear they generalized that all black people were the same and did not have the capacity to show remorse or repent for something wrong they had done. Therefore, they allowed this thought to cloud their judgment and refused to give Tom Robinson a second chance because they felt like he would continue to do what he supposedly did.

I have a question too:
If Tom Robinson was white, would there even be a trial?

Kerry Furman

5/7/2013 07:37:25 am

That's a good question. Although it's an understatement to say that blacks were not accepted socially, religiously, and otherwise in the deep south at that time, there is still the matter of court and law. It is against the law to rape someone, black or white. Now, the authorities there are probably more lenient with the law if it were a white person. Say a couple members from the KKK were to burn a black person's house down. The case would be thrown in the trash, if it was looked at at all. Now, if a black person even stepped foot on a white person's lawn, though, he would probably be taken to court for trespassing. Even if Tom were white, he would probably be taken to court though (about a 50/50 chance, there) he would not be convicted as guilty by any means, much less thrown in the chair, mainly because the jury is white, the judge is white, and basically everyone who has a say in anything is white. So yes, I think there is a moderate chance of a white Tom Robinson on trial for rape. But the chances of him being proven guilty are none. He would be more likely to be acquitted from the case.

Caitlyn Wingerson

5/7/2013 09:52:55 am

I agree but something else also came to mind. Tom Robinson was just a convenient scapegoat for Bob Ewell. If Tom was white, would Bob still try to blame him for what happened to his daughter and go through the trouble of bringing the case to court against another white man?

Farah Hashmi

5/7/2013 11:09:50 am

I think that although it was ultimately Tom's race that elicited the heated debate concerning the case, the very idea of rape would have landed the case in a trial, whether Tom was white or not. Even if he wasn't black, rape is held as one of the most unforgivable acts in our society- it breaks one's innocence, both physically and mentally- and would require a trial anyway. Tom Robinson would have had a greater chance winning the case if he had been white, simply because the majority of the jury based their decision on their prejudice instead of the evidence.

In regard to your second question (for some reason the reply button's not showing up down there), I'm honestly not quite sure- would Bob still try to blame Tom if he had been white? It's obvious that Bob had relied on Tom's race to ultimately win the case (linking it to the idea that everyone belived all blacks to be disgraceful), so if Tom had been white i doubt Bob would have won the case so easily. I think that Bob wouldn't have called out Tom if he had been white because if the playing field had been even, Atticus' reasoning would have landed Bob in the hot seat. The idea is interesting, but i guess it comes down to how far you think Bob would risk public humiliation for in order to escape the consequences of his actions- his chances would have definately been slimmer if Tom had been white, so the possibility is still debatable.

Sarah Benni

5/7/2013 11:20:56 am

If Tom Robinson was white would there even be a trial?

If Tom Robinson was white, there still would be a trial but it would it happen in a much different way because of the differences between the two races..Colored people weren't given the same rights as white people at this time. White people could probably get away with things a little bit easier then a colored man. Let's say that Tom Robinson was a white man, the jury and the government would be a little bit more open to see his side of the story then if he was a colored man.

Alifa

5/13/2013 07:36:18 am

I don't think there would be a trial. Though she was raped by her father, she still would've found someone else to blame or "cover it up.'' Tom Robinson happened to be at her house fixing something for her when this happened, but that doesn't mean that she would've found another black man to work for her and accuse for rape. This case became a trial because there was proof and "witnesses." If it were a random black man that Mayella saw once, she wouldn't have enough evidence to even create a case.

Alliyah Davis (6th period)

5/7/2013 11:32:16 am

(In response to caitlyn )
i believe that there wouldnt have been a trial because if Tom Robinson was white because the ewells already had a bad reputation so i dont think anyone would have believed them.

Arun Sabapathy

5/9/2013 11:44:54 am

Sorry I'm late...

I feel as though there will be a court case even if Tom Robinson was a white man but the attitude toward the case would be the complete opposite of what actually occurs during the course of the book. But even so, with the way the Ewell's are portrayed in this book, Tom, as a white man, would still have an upper hand in the case.

Gabrielle Humphrey

5/7/2013 11:49:04 am

In response to "If Tom Robinson was white, would there even be a trial?"

I have to agree with you all in saying that if Tom Robinson were white, there would still be a trial. My only thought on this though is that yes there would be a trial, if Maya were indeed raped. The main complication with the trial on the surface of things is obviously race for their prejudice against the black dictates the trials outcome. But looking beyond this, I would say that if Tom were not black, there would not in fact be a trial. My reason in saying this is that the whole scenario would not have happened to begin with if Maya had not brought someone in the house to help her with these "chores" if it were not someone she knew she felt superior to- a black man. She could easily bring Tom in and have him do work for her because socially, it was his duty to listen to her as she was white and he was not. If he were not black and he was not lured in, she would not have kissed him, Mr. Ewell would not have figured out, would not have beat his daughter and furthermore, he would not have turned the entire scenario around on Robinson and convicted him of rape. If the whole situation had gone on exactly as it had but with Robinson being white, there would still be a trial for this false conviction of rape, but it may have been a fair one.

hibaa

5/12/2013 09:28:23 am

also in response to the question regarding "if Tom Robinson was white, would there even be a trial"
I personally believe that Tom, at the time being, would still be convicted of rape, even if he was assumed innocent. You can only imagine a father's rage to witnessing his daughter getting intimate with a man he may or may not have ever seen, even considering the fact that Mr. Ewell physically abused Mayella. I feel Mr. Ewell still would have given her a physical consequence, and still act as a complainant.

Eric Tsai

5/11/2013 05:44:32 am

In my opinion, if Tom was white there would've still been a trial. I believe this because someone committed a criminal act and someone has broken the law. Although there is still a trial, it is not to say the outcome would've been the same.

Jenny Lang

5/12/2013 06:36:43 am

I think regardless of the color of his skin, there would definitely be a trial against him because rape is rape. There aren't any valid excuses because of one's ethnicity. The race factor would come into play when every one is in the courtroom. Most likely if Tom was white, he would still receive a punishment for (the accusation of) taking away a young woman's innocence but it would be lenient and less harsh than a black man's punishment.

Viren Joopelli

5/12/2013 08:47:16 am

No matter what race Tom Robinson had been, I believe there would still be a trial, simply due to the notion that a rape had occurred. The outcome of the case most likely would have been different seeing as race was one of the main factors regarding his conviction. However, the existence of a case would not change, as even though racism was heavily present in the deep south during that time period, it wouldn't change a crime as terrible and immoral as rape.

Ada Chau

5/12/2013 12:46:22 pm

In response to "If Tom Robinson was white, would there even be a trial?"
I think that even if Tom was white, there would still be a trial. He would be looked upon as "innocent until proven guilty" as opposed to "assumed guilty unless someone fesses up". The evidence would be more strongly evaluated and in my opinion, judged fairly.

Alliyah Davis

5/7/2013 07:18:52 am

in chapter 24 some women in the group talk about how the black servants were showing a lot of attitude when there doing their chores since the trial and some other ladies disagreed with them and just thought they should be left alone

Ms. B

5/7/2013 11:57:00 am

Just an observation...how many times did Calpurnia speak up and have her opinion laid out in front of the white women during their tea? What does THAT say about the voices of the Black community, according to the forces at work (legal, social, racial, etc)?

Kerry Furman

5/7/2013 07:57:12 am

The general attitude of these ladies is slightly malicious/cruel, and almost sorry for the black women. Mrs. Farrow said that no woman is safe, which means the women at the tea party think the black ladies are not devout to Christianity, much less God himself. Their perception of black females is judgmental-- at best. They are barely tolerant enough of them to let them slave away in their kitchens, rub their hands raw washing their clothes, raise their children (what happened to real parenthood?). They pretend to worry about them, but really, they want them gone-- maybe to make life easier in the hot marshes of racist Alabama. And now onto Tom Robinson-- just another conniving, lying negro (in the eyes of the townies). He was convicted guilty for one reason only... he was black. Even with overwhelming evidence against Mayella's testimony, she still triumphed in the trial, with what? Her guilt still eating away at her over her father, and knowingly putting a man on the Green Mile? Tom Robinson was innocent through a through-- the only reason he was pronounced guilty was because of a horrid stereotype of his color and kind. The very idea of a black man kissing a white woman- even trailer trash- was disgusting. Perception is everything in Maycomb County, and apparently, their perception of black people is terribly hateful. They don't have an ounce of sympathy for that poor man, just another negro going where he belongs (once again, in the eyes of the white man in Maycomb).

I have one question:
Why was Mayella so intent on proving Tom Robinson guilty when she clearly knew he was not? She knew it was wrong to lie, every human is hardwired with a nerve pronouncing right and wrong in their brains-- why did she choose wrong?

Fariha Ahmed

5/7/2013 10:14:12 am

Mayella did not grow up in a normal household. She was probably, as we have discussed in class, sexually harassed by her father, grew up with no mother, and pretty much had no real role model to look up to. Every human has a conscience, but of course, we can choose not to listen to it. I don't think she was the one that lied; I think it was her father that told everyone that Tom had 'raped' her. Well, whoever told the lie, probably did it to save their dignity -- or with the Ewells, what's left of it. They already have a bad name as is, I think the last thing they wanted, was to be associated with a "nigger".

Sahib Chandnani

5/9/2013 11:11:18 am

Speaking of a conscience, I have a question:

Do you believe that a person who is raised in such a household can have a conscience that is more understanding to the position of others if her entire life, she herself has been harassed and thinks it is okay?

A person raised in such an environment cannot see the wrong in her ways because her whole life she has been mistreated and mislead.

Ada Chau

5/12/2013 12:55:20 pm

I agree with Farah; Mayella did not grow up in a typical household. She grew up with pretty much next to nothing: a run down house (if you can even call it that), very little money (if she had any), had no mother (which meant that no one taught her how to grow up as a lady), and there is clear evidence that her father sexually abused her. I believe she did know what was right from wrong; however, it may not have been what society believed was right and wrong. Consider this: if you grew up being taught that boogers cured colds, you would believe it because that is what you are taught. Society thinks that that is just disgusting (as do I). In Mayella's situation, I think that she knew that Tom did not rape her, but she was convinced and/or possibly threatened by her father that it was him. Her father is the one in charge of everything; she has to listen to him or consequences follow.

Farah Hashmi

5/7/2013 10:34:28 am

The answer to your question is simple: Mayella had done so out of personal guilt and for the sake of self preservation. She had tempted a black man, a scandalous act in this place and time period, and had been seen doing so by her abusive father no less. Tom Robinson was the living reminder of the mistake she had made, the constant source of guilt and regret. And, as it is in human nature, she tried to snuff the flame before it became an inferno- in order to rid herself of shame, she tried to prove Tom guilty of a crime that would ensure his death. It was a form of self preservation from both her father's wrath and the reproval of the community. As for why she lied, think of this: every person has a sense of right and wrong, and it is often this moral that defines our actions. However, knowing that something is wrong does not always stop us from lying/ giving in to tempatation; Mayella knew it was wrong to tempt and accuse Tom, but she had done so anyway. The same goes for her lying- she was desperate to get rid of him and if lying saved her face and her conscience, then so be it. I guess, in a sense, she was doing so out of selfishness. Honestly speaking, everyone has lied and often times we do so in order to protect ourselves form consequences (and end up shifting the blame onto others). Same goes for Mayella in this case.
Wow, that came out waaaay more lenghty than i thought haha

Stephanie You

5/8/2013 08:49:05 am

I agree with Farah. Mayella fears the responsibility for her wrongdoings and wants to hide her actions by blaming someone else. At the same time, however, Scout says that Mayella looked at Tom Robinson angrily like he was trash. I wonder if Mayella only blames him just to save herself or if she truly believes that it was Mr. Robinson's fault.

Gabrielle Humphrey

5/7/2013 11:53:13 am

The reason behind May supporting the false conviction of Tom Robinson is essentially her father. We learned from the trial an Atticus' statements and conclusions that he beats her. This puts her in a state of extreme fear. She knows that by kissing Tom she has enraged him and may feel that the whole situation would not have occurred if she had not done so. This assumed responsibility brought forth by fear of her father is also backed up by fear of what her father would do if she did not go along with the plan. Though humans do have this "hardwired sense" between right and wrong, which path we decide to choose can be altered when our safety comes into play.

Alliyah Davis

5/7/2013 12:14:17 pm

(Why was Mayella so intent on proving Tom Robinson guilty when she clearly knew he was not? She knew it was wrong to lie, every human is hardwired with a nerve pronouncing right and wrong in their brains-- why did she choose wrong?)

Mayella chose Tom Robinson to kiss because she felt lonely and not loved enough so she went to seek love in Tom Robinson and when she was rejected and her father showed up she didnt want it to look as if she came on to black man so she blamed it on Tom Robinson instead of facing her own embarrassment.

Arun Sabapathy

5/9/2013 11:52:59 am

Reply to Sahib's question for the reply button is not showing up,

No, I don't feel that it would be possible for Mayella to still have the conscience toward others because she most likely was also not the most liked person from a social standpoint and also with her father's consistent harassing and absence of her mother enhancing the disability for her not to recognize other's social status.

Kerry Furman

5/7/2013 07:57:20 am

Madison M

5/7/2013 11:38:42 am

Mayella was so intent on proving Tom Robinson guilty because she knew that if he wasn't found guilty, she would be. Her blatant ignorance of right and wrong was in response to another innate human quality, a less honorable one. The instinct to defend oneself, to ensure that you come out on top. If Tom Robinson had gone free and told someone of Mayella's advances, she would have been outcast from society on a level that she couldn't bear. So instead, in her own defense, she was easy to see an innocent man die if only to protect her pride and meager position amongst the white community.

Konan

5/9/2013 12:25:38 pm

I don't understand this because you are saying if someone were to find out that Mayella came onto Tom Robinson, she would disgrace her family name. But couldn't she just deny it? The Ewell's didn't have to fault Tom Robison as a rapist; there was no need. Mayella bieng a white woman could have easily said everything Tom Robinson says is a lie, and everyone would believe her. In conclusion this case should have never occured, and Tom Robinson should have never died for this.

Stephanie You

5/8/2013 08:57:09 am

I believe that Mayella was only trying to save herself from her previous actions. In nature, self preservation comes before right and wrong (and pretty much everything else), and this is just another situation to prove it. I doubt there is one grown person who has not lied before to cover up their own wrongdoings. Mayella felt that her only choice was to blame Tom Robinson.

Rithica deepak

5/12/2013 12:24:15 pm

I agree with stephanie, Mayella was ashamed. She doesnt want other people to know what she has done. So, to try to cover it up she blames it on Tom Robinson.

Alifa

5/13/2013 07:44:02 am

I don't think that she was doing the right thing. She was forced to lie and accuse an innocent colored man. Her father should be the one trying to save himself instead of Mayella. Bob knew for a fact that Tom was innocent and he was guilty. He should've known that this case wouldn't end in Bob's favor. If she had blamed a white man, the trial would have gone a lot smoother and it would've been over much sooner than this one.

Kerry Furman

5/7/2013 07:57:58 am

The general attitude of these ladies is slightly malicious/cruel, and almost sorry for the black women. Mrs. Farrow said that no woman is safe, which means the women at the tea party think the black ladies are not devout to Christianity, much less God himself. Their perception of black females is judgmental-- at best. They are barely tolerant enough of them to let them slave away in their kitchens, rub their hands raw washing their clothes, raise their children (what happened to real parenthood?). They pretend to worry about them, but really, they want them gone-- maybe to make life easier in the hot marshes of racist Alabama. And now onto Tom Robinson-- just another conniving, lying negro (in the eyes of the townies). He was convicted guilty for one reason only... he was black. Even with overwhelming evidence against Mayella's testimony, she still triumphed in the trial, with what? Her guilt still eating away at her over her father, and knowingly putting a man on the Green Mile? Tom Robinson was innocent through a through-- the only reason he was pronounced guilty was because of a horrid stereotype of his color and kind. The very idea of a black man kissing a white woman- even trailer trash- was disgusting. Perception is everything in Maycomb County, and apparently, their perception of black people is terribly hateful. They don't have an ounce of sympathy for that poor man, just another negro going where he belongs (once again, in the eyes of the white man in Maycomb).
~~~
Question:
Why was Mayella so intent on proving Tom Robinson guilty when she clearly knew he was not? She knew it was wrong to lie, every human is hardwired with a nerve pronouncing right and wrong in their brains-- why did she choose wrong?

Farah Hashmi

5/7/2013 10:10:36 am

1. Throughout the conversation, several attitudes regarding the black community were made clear: these women believe themselves to be superior to the black population- both morally and mentally- and they also have a strong belief that the blacks are misguided, incompetent beings. Although this wasn’t necessarily said outright, the idea was anchored securely to both the women’s conversation and their beliefs. As Andrew had stated above, the women had also pointed out the disobedience of their black staff after the ordeal concerning Tom Robinson unfolded. One of the things that struck out to me the most about this particular snippet was the way the women- namely Mrs. Merriweather- spoke about their staff: with an air of snobbish superiority, “ ‘I tell you, if 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.’ ” (pg. 226). It is obvious in the way she and the others speak that they hold no true respect for black people or their worth- at time, it seems as if they don’t even distinguish blacks as human beings. I also agree with Caitlyn’s general statement: these women think of themselves as smarter and more adequate compared to the black community. They truly believe all blacks to be immoral and uncouth beings.

2. The conversation of these women regarding the black community reflects the Maycomb population as a whole. This exchange is only scratching the surface of what most of Maycomb community believe is true concerning the black poplution- the opinion as a whole is much more aggressive and intense in comparison. The people will disregard any evidence of the case and stubbornly cling to the idea that all black people are dishonorable, repulsive creatures- this, unfortunately, also included Tom Robinson. It was this raw resentment that ultimately swayed the jury into declaring Tom gulity. In the end, society often allows prejudice and personal opinion to overpower reason and the obvious truth.

I have a question I want to ask my fellow classmates, just out of curiosity:
- Do you think that true equality will ever exist within our society (whether it be racial or otherwise)?

Kerry Furman

5/7/2013 10:20:57 pm

No. No matter how many laws we put in place or ammendments we make, there will be no real equality in this world. There will always be somebody who hates another for race, ethnicity, religion, etc. There will (hopefully, unless our government goes insane) always be equality in the eyes of the court. But in the jury, there may be someone who doesn't like black people or Asians or whatever-- that is why there can't be pure equality, because some people have yet to grasp it.

Rithica Deepak

5/12/2013 12:20:33 pm

People will always have differences, no one can stop that. It may be their skin color, religion,ethniticy.. I think people should stop thinking about the differences and care about what we have in common. Racism will always be there because things are always changing. There will always be someone who hates others for their differences. Its the sad truth, but because of this racism will always be there.

Vibhav Joopelli

5/8/2013 05:14:39 am

People will ALWAYS be different in certain ways. As long as there are differences in the population, regarding to race, gender, sexuality, political views, or any other idea, there will be some sort of social barrier. There will always be a group of people discriminating against another, and although everyone supposedly has "equal rights," discrimination will never cease to exist. To technically answer your question, equality (equal rights) will exist in society as it does today. However, unless every single person in the society is exactly the same and has no differences, there will always be discrimination, prejudice, and hate towards other groups of people. Uniqueness and differences, even though they are viewed as a positive in most cases but this one, will always be present in a population.

Konan

5/8/2013 07:11:04 am

Although there will always be differences among society, what i fail to understand is why the human race cannot tolerate these differences if not accept them. By doing so we could eliminate discrimination and embrace the diversity of this world.

Essentially my question is...
What drive humanity to shun differentiation?

Stephanie You

5/8/2013 09:09:17 am

I cannot imagine that everyone could be equal in our society, ever. The plain truth, like Vibhav mentioned, is that people are different, no matter what people would like to believe, and there will always be someone in the world who doesn't like a certain group of people.

Everyday, people separate others into categories, even without thinking about it. Every different characteristic in a person, physical or not, creates a new character. If everyone was the same, like in The Giver (I'm sorry, I had to bring the novel up), people wouldn't like each other because of their personalities, but because they're all the same and they basically have to like each other (I'm pretty sure this was a run-on sentence).

That kind of strayed off topic, but again, equality doesn't truly exist, acceptance does.

Erin Mulcahey

5/12/2013 02:38:51 pm

This is so true! Different can have two completely different meanings. Sorry that's a little repetitive. No one wants to be exactly the same as another person, but no one wants to be an outcast either. I guess it all depends on the severity of the differences.

Ms. B

5/7/2013 11:59:15 am

Good question. Can't wait to read responses to this. I have my own opinion, but I want to hear what you guys have to say first.

Madison M

5/7/2013 12:11:15 pm

The ever so Southern ladies of the Maycomb Alabama Methodist Episcopal Church South had been treated to a horrid display of sinful grumbling by their African American employees if you ask them. As they discuss in Chapter 24, they view the black community of Maycomb county as children to be disciplined, as we can deduce from Mrs. Merriweather's story of her servant Sophie. The prim lady recounts the situation I which he addressed her employee,"'You know what I said to my Sophy...? I said, '...you simply are not being a Christian today. Jesus Christ never went around grumbling and comlaining,"" Or they view the black community as sinners to be forgiven and pitied. This view is demonstrated by Mrs. Merriweather once again, when she says that only by forgiving the negroes will the Tom Robinson incident blow over. While this comment seemed to come from a good place, it is a clear reflection of the white's view of themselves as somehow better, more evolved, and in a position to patronize the black community of Maycomb. This plays into the blatant racial discrimination in Tom Robinson's trial and helps to explain the verdict. How could the all white jury possibly be unbiased if it was their home grown belief that a white person, even a Ewell, was naturally born superior to even the most respectable of black men? Since this was their adamant belief, any profession of Tom's guilt from the white (albeit, white trash) Ewells instantly cancelled any profession of innocence from the "black-velvet" Tom Robinson.

nigger

5/7/2013 12:13:27 pm

Comment deleted

Yoda

5/7/2013 12:18:23 pm

Respectful be you young insolent fool.

Ms. B

5/7/2013 12:28:45 pm

We don't violate Rule #1 in a graded discussion. Shame on you, coward.

Jenny Lang

5/7/2013 12:17:04 pm

There are obviously many different attitudes regarding the black population of Maycomb, The opinions range from "that saintly J. Grimes Everett" to Mrs.Merriweather's. She only refers to the black race as "darky" which is very narrow minded. Also, like Fariha said, the black population aren't really being discriminated against on a daily basis unless a certain situation brings them into light, such as Tom's trial.Other wise that, they are disregarded and on the outskirts of the "perfect" little community that silently despise them. The majority of these attitudes over power the ones that are in favor of Tom and see him as innocent regardless of the bad connotation that the black race has had place on their shoulders by the white men. The majority of the citizens in Maycomb refuse to allow themselves to pursue different perspectives and actually review evidence and details before judging thus immediately leading to the decision that Tom Robinson is guilty.

Ms. B

5/7/2013 12:41:40 pm

Is the disregard of the Black community in Maycomb an example of daily discrimination?? Is the fact that they are sequestered to a particular part of town an example of an endured treatment, an accepted reality they have no choice to accept?

Konan

5/7/2013 01:20:35 pm

I believe that this goes to the Jim Crow laws, where technically they are not bieng discriminated against by bieng isolated, but it is still morally wrong. In this time period the black man is equal to the white man, but they are not given the same rights. This may sound like an ironical statement, but is evidently true throughout the novel. Furthermore the sequestering of the black community to a specific part of the town is not an act of discrimination in the eyes of a white man because they believe that just by allowing them to be part of the town is giving the blacks seperate but equal treatment.

Alliyah Davis

5/12/2013 12:48:33 pm

Yes the diregard of the Black community in Maycomb is an example of daily discrimination and with them seperated to a certain part of town is an example of endured treatmen t because they really dont have any say where they can live and go to.

Ms. B

5/8/2013 06:43:00 am

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

My question: Who is responsible for his death?

Sakshi Shah

5/8/2013 10:25:02 am

Honestly, I would think that Mayella Ewell is at fault for things happening to Tom. If she hadn't decided to dragged this matter to the court then I don't think Tom Robinson would be dead just yet. Because of her sudden reaction to her mistake of kissing a black male, which is considered a sin in her city, Mayella decided to blame Tom Robinson. Mayella's step towards charging a crime against Tom Robinson was supported by her father. So I think Mayella, & Bob Ewell, are responsible for Tom's death.

Gabrielle Humphrey

5/8/2013 01:17:01 pm

You cannot really ONLY blame Mayella because just like Tom did in the case of trying to escape, she acted out of fear. It brings no justice to her in the case for she still is responsible for ruining Tom's life. The only reason she isn't fully responsible though is that her actions (aside from the kiss that arguably started it all) were dictated by a father of whom she was extremely fearful of- a father who sexually and domestically abused her.

Madison M

5/9/2013 02:21:27 pm

Just because the Ewells put Tom in the situation in which he attempted escape, doesn't mean their responsible for his death. If you asked a friend to come have dinner with you, and he got in a fight on the subway on the way over to your house and was stabbed to death, does that make you responsible for his death? Of course not! While your motives may have been a good bit purer than the Ewell's you both put the dead guy in the situation where he was killed. The decision to enter the fight and the decision to climb the fence were both those of the dearly departed, and no matter what, there is always a choice.

Noah Lee

5/10/2013 12:53:57 pm

For the sake of a comment, I agree with the above (twice removed ^^^). The Ewells are responsible for the death sentence of Tom Robinson; likewise, the townsfolk are responsible for the execution of the sentence. It was Mayella's fault that she was overcome by womanly desire, a thing so many authors love to unrealistically use as a reason for everything. [I think the dinner metaphor is a bit much. Unless we are living in the world of V for Vendetta and I asked you to dinner at 12:00, I should think there is no risk with dinning with me (although that remains an arguable point for some). As for the choice factor... well, didn't Mayella have a choice too? Or perhaps that was the one exception to the "there's always a choice" rule.]

Jenny Lang

5/12/2013 07:15:44 am

Mayella only holds a small fraction of the responsibility of Tom's death. Tom was her only daily source of actually talking to a male other than her father and brothers because everyone else in Maycomb looked down on her family. I can see what drove her to become attracted to him.She's 19, she's bound to have feelings towards someone. Her only mistake was placing her sights on a married man. The fact that the man was black infuriated the community more so than the scandal itself. And I believe Bob shares the rest of the responsibility with the jury. When Bob found Mayella with Tom, he acted like a white father would during that time period, acting ballistic because it's usually an instinct for a father to protect his daughter from being hurt by men, especially black men(once again for that time period, Just adding this in again because someone may over-read the first part). It's ironic though because he ended up beating Mayella instead of beating Tom. I believe the only reason there was a trial was because Bob was caught or I guess partially in the act. I say partially because Tom ran away before he could actually see anything but he could easily conclude the bruises came from Bob. His wrongdoing was also forcing his daughter to become the victim. The final decision of the biased jury was fatal, thus leading to the end of Tom's life.

Alliyah davis

5/8/2013 12:29:19 pm

In chapeter 25 there are multiple faults for Tom Robinsons death.
Yes if mayella didnt sexually try to assult Tom Robinson there wouldnt be a trial which wouldnt haveTom Robinson in this predicament, but if Tom Robinson had faith and didnt give up so easily on Atticus maybe he could have been set free. However Tom Robinson doubted he was going to live long so he took the matters into his own hands and chose his way of death which was being shot when trying to escape.

Hannah White

5/12/2013 01:03:20 pm

I agree. I think a huge part of Tom Robisons dealth was Mayella's fault because he would have never been put into this predicament if she hadn't tryed to tempt him. But i also think that if he had trusted Atticus a little more, it might have had a different turn out.

Gabrielle Humphrey

5/8/2013 12:59:22 pm

Who is responsible for the death...oh well this is a tough one. In my opinion there is no way possible to leave one person solely at fault in a situation so complicated. Tom Robinson, who much of Maycomb will hold at fault for being shot, I cannot bring myself to blame, for he acted out in belief that it was his only hope. His life was put into the hands of a white community who's decision to convict him was heavily influenced by racism. The man who shot him is also not to blame for he was only doing his job as a guard. This really leaves one person- or perhaps a group of people- at fault for Tom being killed, the ones who put him in jail to begin with. One may argue it the fault of the jury with this being said, with Tom's sentence being their decision. This is a reasonable answer to the question of who is at fault, but beyond this, The Ewells are truly to blame, Mayella and her father irrationally charged Robinson of a crime he has not guilty of with only Mr.Ewell's rash behavior as a reason behind it. Therefore it is their fault that Tom was killed for they are the ones who put him in such a desperate situation where he was to die anyways, so escape was his only chance.

Gabrielle Humphrey

5/8/2013 01:07:15 pm

I have a question regarding who's at fault and what could have been done:

Do you all think that Tom had any chance at all, or if he was doomed to die anyhow?

Also, do you think the guards are indeed at some fault for the death of Robinson for taking it too far and shooting Tom multiple times? I suppose going to THAT extent really wasn't their job...it was to stop him.

Noah Lee

5/10/2013 12:57:39 pm

For the sake of a comment, I do not think Tom had a chance. This was a court case that was at the beginning of this movement towards equality, so all Atticus could hope to do was break the surface of it all. I do not think the guards are knowledgably responsible for the death of Tom Robinson because they did not know exactly who it was; they were just kind of racist.

Eric Tsai

5/11/2013 06:14:40 am

In response to: "Do you all think that Tom had any chance at all, or if he was doomed to die anyhow?"

I think that he was doomed to die anyways because, like most of Maycomb, the guards are going to have their prejudices and racist thoughts, leading to the shooting of Tom Rob.

Jenny Lang

5/12/2013 07:41:08 am

I definitely believe he was doomed from the start. The jury could not change their mind-set and decided Tom was guilty despite the fact that Atticus' evidence and observations during the trial were intelligent and very reasonable. Also, Tom's story was stable compared to Bob's and Mayella's. The trial being sent to a higher court while Tom was sent to prison was going to be the start of a hopeless cycle. I feel like the judges would keep pushing his trial back because there were probably many other trials to be reviewed first, this leading to Tom being stuck in prison longer. Plus, I agree with Eric. The guards are most likely going to torture him during his stay. But if he was going to survive the trial and leave the prison, his life was going still going to be hell. His family and home would have the threat of constant danger because everyone who believes he really did rape Mayella would want to act on their anger formed by the fact that he was released and free. He would have died from the hands of someone in the community due to their rage.

Erin Mulcahey

5/12/2013 02:03:49 pm

You made a really good point! I don't believe it was entirely one persons fault either. There was a series of events, all involving different people, that led to Tom Robinsons death.

Ada Chau

5/12/2013 02:42:56 pm

In response to "Do you all think that Tom had any chance at all, or if he was doomed to die anyhow?"

If you are referring to his chance at getting out of jail via Atticus, I think that although very tiny, the chance was there. Maycomb's society is not one where it rethinks things; if it's finished, it's finished. If you are referring to his chance at getting out of jail via climbing the fence, I also think that he had a chance. It says in the book that he was moving very fast and that if he had both his arms then he most likely would have made it. I think this symbolizes how the things you do in the past will affect you for the rest of your life.

In response to "...do you think the guards are indeed at some fault for the death of Robinson for taking it too far and shooting Tom multiple times?"

I think that the guards were just doing their job of securing all prisoners. The multiple gunshots, I think, were to make sure that Tom couldn't escape, even if it meant death. The way I imagine it all playing out is that Tom decided to make a run for the fence and attempt to climb it. The guards noticed and probably said something along the lines of "Get down immediately or we will shoot you". Tom was warned several times but refused to listen. In the end the guards shot him. I can understand seeing the multiple shots are unnecessary but if you think about it, Tom maybe could have escaped if he had a gunshot graze on his leg or something like that. The multiple shots, I believe, were to ensure that he was unable to continue escaping, but whether the shots were aimed to kill is a question that I cannot answer.

Tiffany Johnson

5/12/2013 02:52:31 pm

Answering your question, I think Mr. Robinson had a very slim chance of not dying. In other words, yes, he was doomed to die. Atticus knew that, he only wanted to see if he could only get him into jail and not be sentenced to death.

Hiba

5/12/2013 09:25:43 pm

I don't particularly think that Tom would receive any justice related compensation even if he was deemed innocent at the court, regarding the pivotal and distinctive time period.

And the second question, I feel correlates right back to the first. Simple answer, the morality of discrimination, white over black. If a courtroom deems someone to be guilty of a crime, they will retaliate any way they can. If he wasn't distinguished as a rapist, do you think they still would have shot him? Evidently his race and convicted crime did him no justice.

Vibhav Joopelli

5/9/2013 03:28:41 am

I believe many people, including the guards, the jury, Bob Ewell, and Tom himself, contributed in some way or another ultimately to Tom's death, but most at fault was Mayella, who triggered this unfortunate chain of events. It all began when she tried to sexually tempt Tom, a sin that should not have been committed in the first place. After Tom ran away, she was beaten by Bob Ewell, and then had to accuse Tom of rape to cover up her father's beating. An amount of blame can also be placed on the guards, who made the decision not to try any further measure to prevent Tom from escaping, and killing him. Ultimately, it comes down to fact that if Mayella had not try to bait Tom Robinson into sex, he would still be alive and the case, and problems it brought, would be inexistent.

My Questions:

1) Other than the fear of her father, Bob, what drove Mayella Ewell to follow through with the accusation of Tom?
2) Had he not tried to escape, how much of a chance would Tom have had for survival?
3) As if they were looking for the opportunity, why did the guards have to shoot Tom 17 times, fully knowing he was a dead man?

Madison M

5/9/2013 02:27:33 pm

1) Shame
2) It was quite possible that in a different court, outside of the backwoods-folk filled jury of Maycomb, that Tom may have escaped with his life. While the color of his skin may have detoured justice the first time, nothing says a God-blessed jury may not have let him off.
3) The guards cannot be assumed to be malicious, they may have been many of them shooting only once or twice or just a few scared to death of the crazed black man. They may have been waiting for a chance for cruelty and they may have just been scared like Tom.

Fariha Ahmed

5/10/2013 02:38:36 pm

1) Embarrasment and probably realization that if the truth ever got out, her family's name would be tarnished even more than it already is.
2) In the book, it states that he was going to be killed. I think Tom knew this and had enough self-pride that he would rather die trying to escape than to die at the hands of the police/authorities.

Kerry Furman

5/9/2013 07:33:54 am

It was definitely not the authorities. Honestly, it was probably either Bob Ewell or his own daughter, Mayella. Why? Because they both have something to hide. And there is only one person who knows what they have to hide-- Tom Robinson. He is killed accordingly. It is actually very difficult to determine the culprit for tis murder (not that anyone in Maycomb would go into this issue), but really, the best guess is the Ewells because of the grudge they have on Tom. Even if he were found innocent, some crazy would probably kill him anyway.

K Furman

5/9/2013 07:39:47 am

What I mean is that they probably arranged it with the guards.

Sahib Chandnani

5/9/2013 09:12:24 am

I believe that although there are many at fault throughout the course of the trial, the one party that is truly to blame is the Ewells particularly Mayella and her father. If the trial had not come into fruition in the first place, the whole situation could have been avoided. The conflict would have never been noticed if the Ewells had not been obnoxious enough to actually enforce their lies through court. This ultimately caused Robinson's death and if one party has to be made responsible, it should definitely be the Ewells.

Konan

5/9/2013 12:07:19 pm

Initially i recognized Bob Ewell as the murderer of Tom Robinson, but after analyzing the situation, i think it is safe to say the jury is to blame the most. Although the Ewells framed Tom Robinson and deemed him to be a rapist; it is the responsiblity of the jury to be just, unbiased, and logical during such a court case. Despite the facts presented clearly leading to the innocence of Tom Robinson, the jury put him in jail, which ultimitley led to his death. But i guess if you want to get all technical the author is the real murderer of Tom Robinson because he wrote the book

Brandon Pham

5/12/2013 02:10:47 pm

1. But who's opinions influenced the jury? The word of the white man.And in this case it is was Mayella and her Father. Also, they were the ones who falsely accused Tom in the first place.

2. Know who the author is before you decide her gender.
Quote: "because he wrote the book"

Madison M

5/9/2013 02:14:58 pm

He is, while he was certainly the victim of deplorable racism in his trial, the decision to escape was entirely his own, and the consequences his to face. We can discuss for days who influenced his decision to escape and the severity of their contributions. However, Mayella didn't try to climb the fence, racism didn't try to climb the fence, the hurry didn't try to climb the fence. While his death is tragic and the circumstances even more so, there is no blame to be placed here on anyone but the poor, frightened man who tried to climb the jail fence. Unfortunantly, bad things don't always have bad people to blame.

Brandon Pham

5/12/2013 02:15:45 pm

This is a very interesting way to see it. It was Tom's decision to run for it. Atticus had stated, "I guess Tom was tired of white men’s
chances and preferred to take his own." He was tired of letting white people decide his fate and decided to take control of it. This is the result.

Noah Lee

5/10/2013 12:35:20 pm

I think the whole town of Maycomb is at fault because they have remained just like the garden symbolized. If people had made more efforts prior to all the bad business to level things between different races then things might have ended much better for Tom, and perhaps the case wouldn't have even been brought to court. I'm not saying that there would not be an outrage, but with enough friendly ties between people in the town, Tom Robinson surely would have been acquitted.

Fariha Ahmed

5/10/2013 02:30:19 pm

I really don't think that Tom's death was the work of one person; I think it was more of a result of piling up emotions and him just not being able to put up a brave face any longer. Although the Ewells ultimately started the case of Tom Robinson by accusing him of rape, I feel like the Maycomb people, and its jury, also played a part. They were the ones who ultimately gave the verdict - guilty or innocent. I'm sure there was at least one moment when members of the jury realized that maybe Tom really wasn't responsible, that this is all just Bob trying to cover up Mayella's deeds. I mean, if you go back to the story, the descriptions of Mayella and Bob's body language was pretty distict, and I doubt the jury was oblivious to all of it. Out of the whole jury, someone must have thought that Tom was innocent, but because no one spoke up and gave him a voice he was sentenced as guilty. Of course, most of the african-americans, and even a few white people, were on Tom's side, no one besides Atticus wanted to take a stand and do something about it. I think Tom realized that all he had on his side was a man that most of Maycomb thought was a disgraceful "nigger-lover", and that once in jail there would be no hope of getting out. Everyone has a breaking point; Tom's was a result of the people of Maycomb.

Eric Tsai

5/11/2013 06:11:52 am

I believe that Mayella Ewell is responsible for Tom's death because she is the one who "kissed" him. She is the one who brought this situation to court knowing what she did. Mayella knew that once she brought this situation to court, Tom would've been a dead man.

hibbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbba

5/12/2013 09:21:21 am

There could be a plethora of reasons why Tom Robinson is dead, and i believe it was not but one who should be assumed guilty for his fate. Tom Robinson's death was the conveyance of Maycomb's ignorance to the nebulization of rascim. It was the conveyance of how stubborn folks truly desired to inch away from even the idea of equality. It was a conveyance on (at the time) the white morality that the population had gradually accepted. The morality that black's couldn't be socially accepted, even in the supposed honest and understanding audience of a courtroom. If this was the case, how could only one be the cause for his fate? To answer your question, it was the morals of society that deemed Tom's death.

Rithica Deepak

5/12/2013 12:41:38 pm

The answer to this question is obviously Mayella. She has done a mistake, she kissed a black man. She is very ashamed because this was something that was looked down upon. She knows how vulnerable blacks are during this time. She blames Tom Robinson because this is her best choice. She knows that most people will be against Tom and she wants to do this so that she can cover up her mistake. So, I think that Mayella is the reason Tom died.

Alifa

5/13/2013 08:10:48 am

I disagree. Tom's death cannot be blamed on one person. There are definitely more than one person at fault and i think it was her family. Mayella may be the leading cause, but she is not the only one responsible for his death.

Brandon Pham

5/12/2013 01:09:07 pm

To pinpoint a single person is difficult, but I believe it is Mayella's fault more than anyone else's. In chapter 23, Atticus states "In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins." Whatever Mayella says is what everyone and the jury in Maycomb will believe. They don't care what Tom Robinson says. She wanted Tom Robinson dead and it happened. Mayella decided his fate for him.

Hiba

5/12/2013 09:16:50 pm

Sure the blame could fall upon Mayella's shoulders, but have you thought of what her drive was, yet? Mayella's father blackmailed her to lie to the court. It could he her fault just by getting intimate with Tom, but the blame? Mr. Ewell.

Viren Joopelli

5/12/2013 01:34:33 pm

I believe the Ewells, both Mayella and her father Bob, are mostly responsible for Tom's death. While initially it looks like Tom is responsible for trying to escape in the first place, we have to look beyond the surface, at what started it all. This was Mayella's decision to kiss Tom Robinson. If Mayella had not attempted to tempt Robinson, then there would not have been a case in the first place and none of this would have happened. Mayella is also at fault because her words and actions in court convinced the jury that Tom was guilty.These actions, however, were caused by Mayella's fear of her abusive father, Bob. So ultimately, it is Bob and Mayella Ewell who are responsible for killing Tom Robinson.

Erin Mulcahey

5/12/2013 01:41:25 pm

I believe Mayella Ewell is at fault for the death of Tom Robinson. She was a coward who was too ashamed to admit the truth. If she hadn't made up the lie of Tom "taking advantage of her", Tom would have never gone to court. The reason I do not believe it was the jury's fault is because they made a decision that any white male would have made in that day. They weren't about to support a black man when they had spent their whole lives discriminating against them. Therefore Mayella is guilty for the death of Tom.

Tiffany Johnson

5/12/2013 01:43:39 pm

In my opinion, the death of Tom Robinson lies in the hands of Bob Ewell. If you think about it, he started a chain of events that lead up to that point. I know many people will try to blame Mayella for his death, but honestly was her evidence speech thingy very convincing?

Ada Chau

5/12/2013 02:11:38 pm

I think that the entire town of Maycomb is at fault for Tom's death. In Maycomb's society, Tom is seen as a rapist as soon as Mayella screamed. He also know that he has a very very very slim chance of getting out of jail. To have done nothing wrong and be sent to jail

Ada Chau

5/12/2013 02:15:58 pm

(accidentally pressed send too early oops sorry - this is a continuation)
--is a huge blow to his dignity and his and his family's reputation. If the people of Maycomb were more willing to look at the situation in an unbiased manner then I think that Tom would not have been sent to jail, therefore being alive.

Alifa

5/13/2013 07:48:33 am

The Ewells are responsible! They are the ones who put them in this spot and they had to get him out somehow. However, i do not believe that it was all Mayella. She has experienced torturous actions from her own father, so she knows pain. But she is still a part of the blame because she was the rape victim.

Sarah Benni

5/13/2013 07:57:49 am

I believe that Mayella and her father were responsible for the death of Tom Robinson. If they hadn't blamed their problems on Tom Robinson there wouldn't be a trial to begin with. Mayella lied to cover up her wrong doings and her father helped her in doing this. They were indeed responsible for his death.

alifa

5/13/2013 08:00:59 am

i totally agree! it really was a good choice. it is like a boomerang conflict! It was his fault for making accusations about Tom and he had to pay for it somehow. Doing it himself was the best decision.

Caitlyn Wingerson

5/8/2013 07:59:17 am

I honestly can't make up my mind about this. On one hand, Tom is responsible for his own death because he tried to run from prison. What was he expecting? Plus, there was a chance he could've been freed. On the other hand, the guards are responsible for actually killing him and should have tried another method to keep him inside. However, the guards didn't know Tom Robinson, they didn't know his story and they didn't care about him. They were only doing their job. I think I could only say the guards should have tried harder because I know Tom and his story.

Sakshi Shah

5/8/2013 10:06:39 am

I honestly think there was no chance of him actually being freed from the jail NOW. Tom Robinson's punishment might have been reduced if he was white, but that's not the case here.

Stephanie You

5/8/2013 10:13:25 am

I have to disagree with this statement because I recall the book mentioning him case reaching higher courts, and I believe that justice could possibly be achieved later with more persuasion.

Farah Hashmi

5/8/2013 04:17:26 pm

I think that although the chances of Tom actually being freed were rather slim, the possibility was still there. The case had struck a chord within everyone, even those who thought Tom as guilty, and I think that if there had been a bit more persuasion and time given to the case, Tom Robinson would have at least been saved from death.
As for the guards, I can't blame them for shooting Tom down when he had tried to escape- it was their duty to do so- but the fact is that they had taken him down ruthlessly and without much effort into stopping him harmlessly. They could have tried harder to stop him without ensuring his death- it really only takes one good shot to the leg to bring a man down, even with Tom's abilities- and i think they let the communty's overall opion of black people reflect their execution. However, i do agree with Caitlyn: they had not known his story and they had not known the man for who he was except for what they heard. In the end, many people believed Tom was going to die anyway and the guards had only been fulfilling their duty- perhaps they felt the need to end it right there themselves.

Kerry Furman

5/9/2013 07:37:47 am

Good point. What was he thinking? Even if he escaped successfully, he still would have died. And back then, responding to your second statement, prison guards were much more violent and rash than today. They were just doing their job-- all that mattered was that they were in a different time... and place.

Sahib Chandnani

5/9/2013 09:17:15 am

I think this is a really valid point considering that in a situation of such magnitude and morally challenging it depends on each individual viewpoint who is actually responsible. The immediate blame goes to the guards, but who caused the guards to have to shoot him? His own escape caused that. But why was he in jail? This is because of the Ewells. It just depends on how far back you want to go.

Viren Joopelli

5/12/2013 01:06:35 pm

I don't necessarily think it was the guards fault. Their entire purpose is to make sure that prisoners don't escape, so they were really just doing their job. While I do agree that they could have and should have taken less violent methods of containing Robinson, they were just acting on instinct and shouldn't be blamed for his death.

Considering Tom Robinson's role in his own death, I do agree that you have a valid point. Had he not attempted to run away, he would still be in prison, with the slim chance of being freed. However, Tom was merely thinking of the ways he could be free at that current time, not in the future, and fleeing the prison was the fastest way. Tom did have justification for his thought process while running away, so he is somewhat responsible for his death, but I don't believe he should take full responsibility, as he shouldn't have been in prison in the first place.

Erin Mulcahey

5/12/2013 01:48:41 pm

That's a good point Caitlyn. What was he expecting? I find it odd that he even tried to run from jail. He did not seem like the type to do so. I could be completely wrong, but maybe there was a deeper meaning to him being shot and killed for trying to run away.

Stephanie You

5/8/2013 09:28:44 am

This is for question #1.

Most of the white people of Maycomb County look down upon the black population, and they (the white people) are dead set against them. They grew up thinking that all blacks were the same--unintelligent, dangerous, and just not as good as the white people.

Then there are people like Atticus and Miss Maudie who can look past what they've been taught and create their own opinions. They believe that every man can make his own reputation from scratch, that every person deserves a chance to be fought for and have their opinions considered. Sadly, during this time period, their are few who believe in fairness for all. People may say they do, but they most likely don't.

That is why the jury convicts Tom Robinson. Humans are usually closed-minded, and it would take a whole lot of convincing to change the minds of practically the whole town. Atticus gave them something to think about, and if people like him were to continue this, their society would change slowly over time.

Stephanie You

5/8/2013 10:05:45 am

Assuming that Tom Robinson's account is the truth (which we already do), the Ewell's, specifically Mayella and her father, are to blame for his death. If Mayella hadn't tempted him and regretted it later, if Mr. Ewell hadn't wanted to cover up his mistakes as well as his daughter's, Tom Robinson wouldn't have been on trial to begin with, let alone be in jail.

However, if we're speaking about the direct blame, I would have to say Tom Robinson. I admire his bravery of trying to escape, but the guards were only doing their jobs. Tom Robinson was running too quickly, and they couldn't just let him escape successfully. Tom Robinson knew the risk he was taking, and unfortunately, he got shot.

Sahib Chandnani

5/9/2013 09:28:01 am

I agree partly but here's another question. Wouldn't you have done the same in the situation? He was pushed into a corner by the values and inequality of society and he was forced to act. If you look at the immediate situation he is at fault but if you zoom out, you can see that ultimately it is the Ewells.

Konan

5/9/2013 12:17:23 pm

I disagree. Yes the Ewells commited a crime, by claiming Tom Robinson is a rapist, but the jury is supposed to recognize this crime, and punish the Ewell's for it. So ultimitley the blame does not go to the Ewells, it goes to the failure the judicial system

Caitlyn Wingerson

5/9/2013 12:37:07 pm

I agree with Konan, the judicial system is also at fault in ultimately causing Tom's death. They were given the evidence and, although the Ewell's didn't posses the greatest reputations, the jurors still convicted Tom because of the mindset they were accustomed to. However, I also agree with Farah's statement below with the idea that no single person/group is to blame. Any person involved in the case played a part which caused Tom's death.

Eric Tsai

5/11/2013 06:17:16 am

I also agree with Konan. If the jury and the judge hadn't had their racial prejudices, they would've recognized that Tom is not the one who committed the crime and Mayella would've been convicted instead of Tom Rob.

Viren Joopelli

5/12/2013 01:59:28 pm

Regarding Konan's comment about the failure of the judicial system, I don't necessarily believe that you can blame the jury for being racially prejudiced. That is the environment that they grew up and were raised in - an environment where black people were treated as scum. I do realize that it was wrong for the jury to act on racial bias; however, that was how society taught them to act, so they shouldn't be held responsible.

Jenny Lang

5/12/2013 07:55:49 am

Well actually I don't think Mayella was planning on regretting the fact that she was going to kiss and etc. Tom. I think the only reason she began regretting it was out of fear of her father. I believe Mr.Ewell started to make her feel guilty for wanting to have an affair with a black man and gave her reasons as to why everyone would start hating her for it. And also, I don't think Mr.Ewell considered his act to be a mistake. He beat her intentionally and he probably feel any regret because like in the movie, he showed no compassion towards Mayella while she was sobbing and distressed. He was just trying to cover up his daughter's mistake while trying to hide his reaction to it because wanting a black man was forbidden and wrong in Maycomb. He was selfishly trying to maintain his image even though it wasn't even at an all time high.

Noah Lee

5/12/2013 12:47:02 pm

For the sake of a comment, I agree very much with your statement. Mayella has spent her life shut up with her father, and he pretty much governs everything she thinks and feels.

Rithica Deepak

5/12/2013 12:49:57 pm

The main reason she wanted to blame Tom was because she was scared of what her dad might think. Her dad does not really care about what he has done to his daughter. He doesnt care if he beat her. In the movie he looks pretty emotionless through most of the trial.

Sakshi Shah

5/12/2013 11:08:43 am

I agree that Tom Robinson is to be blamed but not for everything. He might be partially responsible but i still believe that the Ewell's should be blamed.

Rithica Deepak

5/12/2013 12:54:28 pm

I dont think tom should be blamed at all. Whatever allegations that Mayella has against Tom is wrong. This town and this trial is very racist and I think that the color of his skin is the only thing that might have played a part in this trial.

Farah Hashmi

5/8/2013 03:55:02 pm

I find that it is impossible to hold only one person responsible for Tom Robinson's death, simply because there were so many factors that ultimately caused the situation to unfold. Bob and Mayella Ewell were both directly responsible for landing Tom into court, accusing him of a crime he obviously did not commit, but it had also been the jury who unanimously decided that Tom was indeed guilty. Then there are the guards who had so aggressively shot down Tom- it had been their job to do so, but that doesn't hide the fact they were the cause of his death and had executed it in such a hostile manner. However, I think Tom himself would have been the biggest force driving his death; I have to admire his bravery and his ambition, but he should have known he was going on a suicide mission- he had decided to take his fate into his own hands and had met his end consequently. It was he who decided to run, he who decided to give up faith in Atticus, and he who ultimately put himself in danger. Perhaps he thought if he was going to meet his end anyway, he might as well do so by his own volition.

Farah Hashmi

5/8/2013 04:55:07 pm

This actually got me thinking, and so here are some questions I would like to ask.
It's obvious that Tom's chances of escaping unscathed were basically impossible; even if he had successfully escaped, it wouldn't have stopped others from hunting him down and ultimately killing him anyway. Either way, he wouldn't be able to escape the law. So:
1. Do you think Tom Robinson knew that he was willingly entering a suicide mission? If so, what do you think truly drove Tom Robinson into trying to escape- was it really freedom he sought out for or something else?
2. Whether the people were black or white, do you think Tom's death had any significant impact on the Maycomb community?

Kerry Furman

5/9/2013 07:44:46 am

Hi, Farah. Responding to your 1st question, I think Tom knew that he was going into a mission that was surely not going to end in his favor. In my opinion, he wanted to rebel one last time before his imminent death.
#2: No, I do not. It even said in the book it was just another black person going where they belong. Even though there was a big deal over his case, the excitement will probably taper off in a couple weeks.

Caitlyn Wingerson

5/9/2013 12:50:47 pm

1. I believe he knew he was digging his own grave, but some rush of desperation overrode any acknowledgement of death. I think he was seeking freedom, but not because he just wanted to be out from behind bars. I think he wanted to escape in an attempt to free himself from the injustice that landed him there. Tom most likely thought his trial was unfair and just wanted to escape from the inequality...only to be shot in the back for his attempts.

2. I don't believe his death had any significant impact. His death obviously had an impact on his family though, but we don't know his status in the black community and whether or not he was a staple within it (or do we? I can't remember from the book at the moment). On the other hand, he obviously wasn't a prestigious figure in Maycomb so no, I don't believe his death really affected anyone except his family.

Vibhav Joopelli

5/9/2013 10:18:39 pm

1) No, although Tom knew the risks of trying to escape, he did not expect his life to be lost in a total suicide mission. However, he believed that if he were to stay back, he would be given the death penalty, and he decided to take the small chance of escaping freely.

2) Yes, most definitely. The black community would have been driven to great anger, along with sorrow, as Tom's race alone is what ultimately led to his death. Most of the white community, on the other hand, should have realized their mistakes and the problems with the racial divide and attitudes of Maycomb.

Stephanie You

5/10/2013 06:55:41 am

1.) I think that Tom Robinson knew deep down that he would die, but in every person there is hope for a better outcome. I also believe that he thought death would be better than being in jail.

2.) I think the whole trial had a colossal impact on Maycomb County, especially the younger generation. As others have said, most brushed it off after a couple days of gossip, but the younger people (specifically Scout and Jem) will carry on the legacy left by Atticus. Also, the members of the jury will most likely carry their guilt to the grave because of the strength of Atticus' speech.

Fariha Ahmed

5/12/2013 02:22:15 am

2) I don't think that Tom Robinson's death affected the county's people at all. The only exception to this is his immediate family and friends, and the Finch family (Atticus, Jem, Scout). Like Kerry said, he was black, so people did not really give it a second thought. However, if Tom was white, the reaction would have been completely different and much more dynamic.

Arun Sabapathy

5/12/2013 12:00:37 pm

1. I'm sure that Tom had accepted that the outcome for the situation.. I think that the idea of exposing the Ewell's for what they have in reputation drove him to do what he did.
2. It showed the possible outcome of mixed feelings in such a heated debate. It didn't matter if you were black or white in the Maycomb court, what you thought of the people involved was where the siding took place.

Ada Chau

5/12/2013 02:28:15 pm

1. I think that Tom knew the risks he was taking when he made a run for it, but I agree with Caitlyn - he was desperate to escape not because of being behind bars, but that he strongly believed that he was being wronged. If no one can save him, he had to try and save himself.

2. I think that even though Tom's death is not significant in present day (according to the book) Maycomb, it still has an impact on the way that the people of Maycomb viewed the black community, whether it be positive or negative. A positive way to look at it is that people realize that society took the life of an innocent man and that it needs to change. However, in a negative light, people could add to the negative stereotype that surrounds black people by saying that they are suicidal and that they are definitely not to be trusted around women.

Arun Sabapathy

5/9/2013 11:40:19 am

For QUESTION 1:

It seems that the African-American population currently residing in the town of Maycomb have been recognized as human beings but not treated as the common white man. Scout continuously flashes back about past experience throughout the tea party conversation and she emphasizes this by saying,"Calpurnia telling Miss Rachel's cook how bad Tom was taking things.."(pg 313). This contributes to Tom's conviction by giving the spin over the common men attitude toward a black man charged with such a crime. This only makes the reader conclude that even if Tom is proven not guilty, there will be a consequence carried out by the Maytown common people against Tom Robinson.

Arun Sabapathy

5/9/2013 12:29:04 pm

For Question #2,

Tom Robinson's death comes at a timely matter in the plot of the story, for as Scout reflects about the women's conversation, Atticus interrupts Scout's train of thought and brings the news of Tom's death. I think that the person responsible for the murder itself is Bob Ewell while the person who drove him into doing such a thing was his daughter's work, Mayella. The reason why I say this is because upon Scout's reply to his news, Atticus says something how Tom was one of 200 or more Negros in the town...(Pg 315) which concludes that Tom was clearly targeted. With Tom not even thought twice about the common man till the case makes it seem that it is in fact Bob Ewell.

Vibhav Joopelli

5/9/2013 10:23:26 pm

Are you saying Bob and Mayella Ewell solely targeted Tom out of the 200 or more Negroes in town? If you are, I have to disagree with this statement. Tom just had the horrible luck of being one of few who had to pass by the Ewell residence to and from work every day. This fact, along with his strong and handsome characteristics, are what caused Mayella to go after Tom, and start the chain of events that begin to unfold.

Arun

5/12/2013 12:56:39 pm

I was talking about Tom being one of the 200 negros being targeted because it was only him that Mayella Ewell ever decided to go after. Why couldn't/wouldn't she go and play on another black man who worked in the same area as Tom? The place Tom labors must not be too far from the Ewell residence.

Ms. B

5/10/2013 04:27:02 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.

Noah Lee

5/10/2013 12:38:59 pm

I don't think it should be seen as a book of two story lines but as a book of two major events in the life of the little Finches. The divide is possibly to emphasize the importance of Jem and Scout rather than the events going on. Because of each major points in their lives, we get to grow up with them as we read the novel. In the end it is extremely effective to bring in Boo and wrap everything up nicely with everything being wrapped up nicely.

Vibhav Joopelli

5/12/2013 10:31:09 am

I disagree with your position that she wants to emphasize the importance of Jem and Scout rather than the events going on. Harper Lee simply uses Jem and Scout and the other characters to represents the attitude of the town as she uses these major events to show how they change in viewpoints and opinions.

Alliyah Davis

5/12/2013 12:42:46 pm

I agree with Vibhav Joopelli in the book Harper Lee takes the major events to show the change in veiwpoints it also shows kind of connect the two events with revealing the hidden with Boo Radley and the Tom Robinson case.

Viren Joopelli

5/12/2013 02:30:46 pm

I agree with Noah about the notion that the divide helps augment the importance of the children. Both events assist each other in exhibiting the maturing and growth of Jem and Scout, which in the end adds to an overall theme of the loss of innocence being the gain of experience.

Fariha Ahmed

5/12/2013 02:32:01 am

In TKAM, the story starts off with a young Scout and Jem and their adventures with Dill. Their main focus seemed to have beene on trying to see Boo Radly. Once Tom Robinson's case is introduced in the plot, its as if the kids' interest in Boo has taken a step back. Although there is a clear division between the two main plots in the story, there are connecting points. For example, after the trial is over and Tom's verdict is given, Jem says " Scout,I think I'm beginning to understand something. I think I understand why Boo Radley's stayed shut up in the house all this time.....it's because he wants to stay inside." At this point, Jem and Scout have grown up quite a bit. Their personalities have changed and they have matured mentally. When Jem says this, it's a distinct change from before, when he used to try to tease out Boo; but now he is empathizing with him. I think Harper Lee purposefully wrote about two distinct plots to allow the reader to notice a change in the main characters, Jem and Scout. Although it seems the plots have no connection, at the end of the story, everything seems to fall into place. Boo Radley DOES come out, and he saves Jem and Scout from danger. It's kind of a cliché happy ending, but I think that's exactly what this book needed to tie all the loose ends.

Eric Tsai

5/12/2013 11:07:19 am

I agree! In the ending everything really does fall into place and all the loose ends are tied up.

Erin Mulcahey

5/12/2013 07:57:26 am

I believe Lee separated the book into two parts to emphasize the importance of innocence in the novel. In the first half we are introduced to typical innocent kids who are intrigued by the "spooky" character Boo Radley. As the story progresses we see that their inncoence is slowly fading away. In the second half, the Tom Robinson trial exposes the children to the evils in the world. However in the end I believe it all ties together when Boo Radley, who they have feared their entire lives, saves them from an actual danger in Maycomb, Bob Ewell.

Jenny Lang

5/12/2013 08:29:52 am

Erin,
1) I really like how you said that "Tom Robinson trial exposes the children to the evils in the world " and I definelty agree. His trial shined light on the nutgrass aka Ewells. Before the trial, Scout didn't even know what rape was. The true nature of Maycomb's people were brought out and the children were exposed to it all. If there wasn't a trial, I can't seem to think how Lee would have shown the breaking of their innocence.

2) Does anyone have any ideas on what Harper Lee could have done if she didn't create the major storyline of Tom Robinson's case?

Eric Tsai

5/12/2013 11:08:19 am

I agree! I think innocence is a major motif in this book and separating it into two parts really emphasizes this.

Viren Joopelli

5/12/2013 02:28:05 pm

I agree as well. Lee uses both storylines to help depict the maturing of Scout and Jem, especially with the case of Tom Robinson exposing the children of the problems and issues that they had previously not known existed. This is one of the major motifs and themes of the novel, and both events, while seeming different at first, do connect in the end.

Jenny Lang

5/12/2013 08:15:31 am

Well I don''t think she really divided the book. I believe these two parts are just parallels for Jem, Scout, and Dill's changing childhood. You can clearly see while they have the obsession with seeing his face, they continuously call him by the silly nickname, Boo Radley. By the end of the book Scout begins to call him Mr.Arthur. She isn't terrified of him anymore and even reaches out to hold his hand. I do think it connects in the end because the children's focus switched from bothering neighbors and loudly playing outside to quietly listening in on a life or death trial of Tom Robinson. They grew alongside with the trial and caused them to mature. Jem and Scout had the sudden change of never having anyone insulting them to having to hear their own classmates and family call their father and nigger-lover. I think Harper Lee intertwined these two major parts very effectively.

Stephanie You

5/12/2013 08:39:06 am

I think it's very interesting that they aren't being insulted anymore. Scout says it's because the children's parents tell them not to, but at the same time, she ends up being friends with Cecil, who she engages in a fight with earlier in the book, which shows the progress of the young generation. As kids, they are able to look past all of the politics and see people as they are. This is also the case for Scout and Boo Radley. When they meet, she realizes that despite what everyone says, he is just a man who wishes to avoid the evils of human society.

Caitlyn Wingerson

5/12/2013 10:13:06 am

I disagree with your first statement because in the book there's a definite part one and part two but you did bring up some good points. I think it's interesting how you mentioned these events parallel the children's growth. I tried explaining those exact thoughts in my response but I think yours is written a lot better than mine.

Konan

5/12/2013 12:08:44 pm

Indeed it is evident that Jem and Scout mature throughout novel, but i have a question... How does Maycomb change throughout the book, if at all?

Madison M

5/12/2013 12:25:46 pm

I agree Jenny, I think that the story lines were in fact reflections of each other. While on different levels of severity and with Jem and Scout playing different roles, both of the timelines are reminiscent of the "don't judge a book by its cover" that Ms. Lee conveys in TKAM.

Erin Mulcahey

5/12/2013 01:23:37 pm

You made an excellent point Jenny. In the beginning they are rambunctious children, but the trial proves that they have matured and are able to be serious in the appropriate scenario.

Hiba

5/12/2013 10:09:49 am

I believe that the author divided the book into two parts to perhaps build up and illustrate the amount of maturity Jem and Scout possessed, as well as their withstanding knowledge on the biggest social situation at the time (segregation/discrimination). This basically creates the mature and serious theme in the trial.

Caitlyn Wingerson

5/12/2013 10:21:55 am

I agree because, personally, I would be questioning Jem and Scout's attitudes if the book contained only part 2. I would most likely find them odd and I probably wouldn't understand their relationship with Atticus either. With the events in part 1, we soon learn Jem and Scout are rather articulate and mature despite their ages and learn how they react in different situations which help us to understand why they do the things they do in part 2 during the events of the trial.

Farah Hashmi

5/12/2013 02:04:33 pm

I agree, the first part of the book displayed the character of both Jem and Scout and also demostrated that despite their young age, they hold a sense of maturity and understanding. This allowed us to see not only different themes in the book, but also allowed the readers to understand how the children responded to growth and change based on how they were developed as characters in part one.

Tiffany Johnson

5/12/2013 02:56:47 pm

I agree, I believe the book is divided to help emphasize the maturing of the children and to help show us the new and advanced social battles taking place.

Vibhav Joopelli

5/12/2013 10:26:16 am

Harper Lee divides To Kill A Mockingbird into two parts to support the theme of acceptance and deceptive appearances. Scout, Jem, and Dill, along with the rest of Maycomb have a wrong idea of Boo Radley, and a wrong idea about Tom Robinson. Lee disproves these ideas, showing how Boo Radley and Tom Robinson both have deceptive appearances. The community must learn to further accept people like Tom, who is given a general stereotype of the black community, and not make bold assumptions as to who people really are without knowing their true story (such as in the case of Boo Radley). After Tom's trial, the town of Maycomb begins to understand this, and that is how Lee pieced the two together.

Eric Tsai

5/12/2013 11:06:29 am

I think the book is divided into two parts because in the first part we are introduced to the main characters and a Maycomb county that seems perfect. In the second part, however, we see the so "perfect" Maycomb county has many flaws such as racism and stereotypes. Many stereotypes or assumptions are made of Tom and Boo in the book. I think the ending is connected effectively because by bringing Boo back in it really ties everything back in.

Sahib Chandnani

5/12/2013 12:44:44 pm

I think the first part is more than a simple introduction. It sets a backdrop for the next events, but doesn't necessarily introduce the characters really. It is more about weaving a vivid image that allows the reader to properly comprehend the impact of the events that follow in the second half. Im not disputing whether you are correct or not simply that an introduction to the characters is no the only purpose that the first half serves.

Brandon Pham

5/12/2013 02:23:53 pm

You did not really discuss the connection between Tom and Boo in very much depth. You say that the only connections between Tom and Boo is stereotypes (which only really applies to Tom) or assumptions, but I believe there is more than that. Example: What about Tom and Boo's true revealed personalities?

Sakshi Shah

5/12/2013 11:12:33 am

I think Harper Lee divided the book into two parts to show two different stage of maturity in within the children. In the first part, they were a little childish but since the beginning of part two, they've started to act more mature.

Brandon Pham

5/12/2013 02:31:02 pm

What about the connection between Boo Radley and Tom Robinson? What about the fact that both characters were falsely judged and how they are actually good at heart? This is a huge connection I think you have failed to see.

Alifa

5/13/2013 08:08:31 am

In part 2, they were still acting as children. They weren't exactly more mature, i think they were just being responsible. It isn't exactly the same thing. The beginning was more than maturity levels, it was more of its own story about Boo Radley and the house.

Konan

5/12/2013 11:24:14 am

I think Harper Lee divided the book into two storylines to serve as parallels. Boo Radley is considered the outcast of the neighborhood while Tom Robinson is considered an outcast of society. But just like Boo Radley, Tom Robinson never harmed a soul.Both of them are Mockingbirds in the novel. Boo Radley is a mocking bird who is "killed" because he is an innocent who is ridiculed. Whereas Tom Robinson is an innocent man who is literally killed. Thus the Boo Radley's storyline is the counterpart of Tom Robinson's storyline, and they effectivley connect in the end.

Gabrielle Humphrey

5/12/2013 12:08:43 pm

^same as up there

5/12/2013 12:20:25 pm

Sorry I posted this twice, but the full comment is after this.

Gabrielle Humphrey

5/12/2013 12:19:19 pm

My opinion on the story correlation between the two story lines of "To KIll A Mockingbird" is that it not only that they were sufficient, but had a great effect on myself as a reader. After reading the book, it's quite obvious that one of the major themes of the story is (summarized from the last page of the story) that most people are beyond that which society perceives them to be once they are finally seen. They are in fact nothing like their own stereotypes, but put simply, nice people. Throughout the book, the Finch kids are forced to mature because of the trial, and forced to realize this lesson. The storyline involving their interest in Radley begins as an immature game of sorts, as they believe much of what society does. After Boo places the blanket over a freezing Scout without her knowing, both the reader and the Finch kids begin to see that he's more than this scary facade that Maycomb's made him out to be, but rather a good person. Each time they realize this, it's nearly a signal for them to mature and get one step closer to learning the whole moral of the story. Harper Lee I think divided the story into two, for conclusion that effectively tied in the theme with their maturing character development as well as one that had some shock value. As a reader, I was so bewildered when I realized it was Radley, but so pleased with the way it was executed. Everything connected well and it was a good way to tie in something serious the kids were trying to understand with Atticus' help, and their situation with Boo which turned from an innocent game, to a true lesson learned.

question 1 : What were your thoughts when you found out it was Radley?
The reason I ask this is because I literally put the book down during STAAR and I wanted to flip out with someone and just go I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING BUT THERE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A MORE PERFECT ENDING. Needless to say, this is now one of my favorite book because it really is just brilliant to me the way everything was pieced together.

question 2: Would you have rather had Jem have this nearly heroic yet complicated part in actually bringing Ewell down and stabbing him? OR do you think the fact that he stabbed himself technically was a good choice?

(Personally I believe in the second because it's nearly a what goes around comes around situation. He screwed himself over in the beginning by falsely convicting Robinson, and now he would screw himself over again.)

Madison M

5/12/2013 12:29:34 pm

In answer to your second question, I think Bob Ewell stabbing himself added to the point trying to be made about stereotypes in TKAM. That they can destroy you(Tom), you can live up to them(Bob), or you can defy them(Boo).

Fariha Ahmed

5/12/2013 12:37:41 pm

OHMYGOSH GABBY SAME HERE. Like it took every ounce in me to keep myself from sharing my excitement with the kid next to me. I agree. The way Harper Lee introduces Boo right at the end is what I call a great example of saving the best for last.

Fariha Ahmed

5/12/2013 12:42:42 pm

2) Idk, I feel like I kind of like both outcomes. In both situations, the reader feels a wave of satisfaction that Bob Ewell is now dead and we won't have to hear from his ignorant self again. But honestly, Bob killing himself is more favorable, like you said, because its like he's getting a taste of his own medicine.

Farah Hashmi

5/12/2013 02:15:13 pm

I agree with Fariha, I simply loved the way Boo was finally introduced in the end! It was interesting and unexpected, but something i wouldn't changed. The ending in genereal was great, it didn't seem abrupt or too open ended, and all the pieces fell into place.

Tiffany Johnson

5/12/2013 02:59:32 pm

I agree ! Even though the book is divided into two sections, ending it with Boo Radley really pieces everything together, making sure there are no loose ends.

Ada Chau

5/12/2013 03:40:16 pm

In response to "Would you have rather had Jem have this nearly heroic yet complicated part in actually bringing Ewell down and stabbing him?"

I think it was a good idea for Ewell to stab himself because first of all, poor Jem would have been traumatized for the rest of his life. Secondly, I think it kind of shows how Ewell destroys himself with his hatred because he was aiming to harm Scout and Jem because of his hatred for Atticus and the knife he had in his hand was a symbol of that hatred. To stab himself would mean to stab himself with his hatred. Basically what it means is that violence and hatred is not the answer and it will come back to bite you in the butt, or in this case, kill you.

Sahib Chandnani link

5/12/2013 12:19:34 pm

I believe that although she does create two parallel storylines, they each display two aspects of Scout's persona. Scout's experiences breaking into Boo Radley's and then when he puts the blanket around her display her immature half that still has much to witness in the world.On one hand, her affiliation with Boo Radley shows her childish, and naïve yet innocent half. Lee uses this to describe one side of Scout that can then later be juxtaposed with the other which is the side relating to the Robinson trial. This side leads into Scout's metamorphosis into a woman or rather a more experienced girl. At the end these two storylines converge and concludes extremely smoothly.

Arun Sabapathy

5/12/2013 12:52:07 pm

I agree with Sahib. The two parts of the book are neatly converged into the denouement of the story using the dyamics of Scout's character ultimately changing through uses of other support characters.

Rithica Deepak

5/12/2013 01:04:05 pm

Question 3:
I think that Harper Lee divided the book like this to compare the trial and their opinion of Boo Radley. The trial and Boo Radley show us the attitudes of the people. What people think of Boo Radley is so bad that is almost like they are describing an animal. But Boo Radley has done nothing wrong and he is looked down upon. The same way people think of Tom like he is an animal. They treat him unfairly even though he has done nothing wrong. This connects very effectively in the end by comparing the two stories.

Brandon Pham

5/12/2013 01:20:34 pm

The connection between Boo Radley and Tom Robinson is how people judged them before they got to know them. Scout, Jem, and Dill were terrified of Boo just from the things they've heard about him, but who sowed Jem's pants? Who left goodies in the knothole in the tree? Who draped Scout in a blanket? Now, for Tom Robinson, people judge him on the fact he is a negro and "that all Negroes lie,
that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women" (Chapter 20). Based on the evidence presented in the court, Tom Robinson was actually a nice guy. He helped Mayella out because he could see how lonely she was. Both Boo and Tom were determined bad people before proven that they were not.

Tiffany Johnson

5/12/2013 02:06:39 pm

I think Harper Lee divided the book into two parts because its talking about two different parts of their life: their childhood and their family. Their fascination with Boo Radley was mostly associated with youth and their brave, adventurous character. However, the trial of Tom Robinson didn't happen until later in the book and Boo Radley was hardly mentioned at this part of the story. The trial mostly surrounded their father, their life at school, and their attempts to age. I think that, yes, the book effectively connects in the end. After the conviction and death of Tom Robinson, it ends with Boo Radley, tying the story together.

Viren Joopelli

5/12/2013 02:10:19 pm

I wouldn't call it a division; I view it more as two paths leading to the same destination. Although it seems very difficult to connect the two different storylines, they are indeed subtly intertwined. Both end up connecting to result in the theme of loss of innocence and added experience. Scout and her companions' adventure of the mysterious Boo Radley exhibit the innocence and naivete of childhood. As the novel progresses, however, through the trial of Tom Robinson, we can see the characters mature as they are exposed to the vice and immorality of the real world. Lee uses both of these storylines to depict the motif of maturity and self growth.

Ada Chau

5/12/2013 03:05:50 pm

I think that Harper Lee to first use the Boo Radley situation to establish the basic setting, characters, and society of Maycomb and Jem, Scout and Dill's tendency to be too curious for their own good. It is also established the Boo Radley doesn't come out of the house because he does not like Maycomb's society and how they see some people. In the second part, she uses what was established to expressed the ideas of the characters and how Jem, Scout and Dill sees the case. In the end, Harper Lee ties the two scenarios together by having Bob Ewell (who can symbolize the bad parts of Maycomb's society) attacking Jem and Scout (who can symbolize the good parts of Maycomb's society) and having Boo Radley (who could symbolize the possibly accepted change to Maycomb's society) come out of his house to save them. Boo is kind of like a sign that Maycomb is moving towards a better future because as I previously stated, he doesn't come out of his house because he thinks that Maycomb's society is bad. I think he sees that Jem and Scout as hope that society is not all bad. However, I think that the way Harper Lee connected these two scenarios was a bit rushed and choppy, although it does get the point across.

Alifa

5/13/2013 08:05:35 am

I think she divided the book to focus on each part as its own important story. The beginning of the book, when Scout, Jem and Dill are so interested in Boo Radley and the Robinson trial are two completely different things, yet they match up in a way. Boo Radley coming up in the end completely tied everything together and both parts combined into one.

Stephanie You

5/10/2013 07:13:31 am

I believe that Harper Lee created two parts to the book to separate the start of a new chapter in Scout and Jem's childhood in Part 2. In the first part, Lee sets the readers up for the rest of the story by constructing the background of Maycomb County and really providing character depth. She also introduced Boo Radley and built his character without him actually participating in any event by mentioning little bits like, "someone in the house was laughing" (22) when Scout rolled a tire onto the Radley property and insinuating that Boo Radley had left odd trinkets under the tree for them.

In the second part, the trial takes place, and this is what part 1 was building up to. Without prior knowledge of the characters and their habits, the readers would be completely lost during the events of the trial.

Personally, I think it connects well in the end. All the loose ends are tied together, and the readers (and Scout) finally meet Arthur "Boo" Radley. He comes out to be the hero for the two siblings, and Bob Ewell is permanently removed from their lives.

Sakshi Shah

5/12/2013 11:13:56 am

I agree with Stephanie, that in the end everything seems to connect and all the loose ends are tied together.

Noah Lee

5/12/2013 12:20:03 pm

For the sake of a comment, how do you think Jem turns out? We know that Scout had a happy ending through meeting Boo, but what about Jem? Perhaps emotional trauma later in life?

Sakshi Shah

5/12/2013 12:34:02 pm

Maybe not, because Jem is actually more mature than Scout.

Hannah White

5/12/2013 12:56:18 pm

I agree with Sakshi. Jem does seem to be more mature than scout. Not just at the end but throughout the most of the book.

Erin Mulcahey

5/12/2013 01:27:04 pm

Interesting thought Noah. Perhaps you're right. Just because someone is mature doesn't mean they won't have trauma later in life. That is one loose end that did not really get tied together.

Caitlyn Wingerson

5/11/2013 06:22:42 am

1) Harper Lee divided TKAM into two parts to support the theme. In part one, we're introduced to the main characters who happen to be young, innocent kids living in a tightly knit Southern town. As the chapters progress in part one, we read about several events that begin to chip away at their innocence and add to their maturity. I believe the purpose of all these little events is to show us how these characters react to different situations to prepare us to read about how they grow in response to the event of Tom Robinson's trial in part two. For example, Mrs. Dubose's constant slandering of Atticus in front of Jem and Scout drove Jem to his breaking point and he lashed out at her by cutting up her bushes. This showed us how Jem reacted to the trial before it actually took place, ended up granting him experience that matured him, and provided a background to understand his thoughts about the case as it progressed in part two.

2) I believe the two parts are connected well in the end. Boo was a part of the children's lives before they started growing up and I believe they started to really grow up when Tom Robinson's case came into their lives. Because Boo ultimately saved them from further harm, it's almost like the children's innocence in their early life will always be there as they gain more experience.

Hiba

5/12/2013 10:19:46 am

I greatly support your observation, cait. I think it all ties in with the general theme of innocence, conveyed from even the title, TKAM. And in the end, we truly see that Scout and Jem's innocence was truly killed, when they were exposed to the truly moral of rascism.

Konan

5/12/2013 11:47:24 am

I concur, both parts of the book reflect the theme of this novel: innocence

Rithica Deepak

5/12/2013 01:13:03 pm

These 2 parts represent how innocent Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are. This shows how bad racism was back then. They were disciminated and were hurt for no reason.

Arun Sabapathy

5/12/2013 06:31:36 am

Harper Lee writes the two parts in order to indicate two different stories that are contained in one book and also the children becoming dynamic characters. This shows in the children's dialogue right after the closing of the court case. They reflect in a more mature way about the conflict which is very notible

Stephanie You

5/12/2013 08:28:55 am

I agree with this because the children understood the aspects of life better in the second part. I think that if Scout saw Boo Radley earlier in the book, she would react differently. She wouldn't understand why he didn't come out of the house and probably would have treated him with less respect. Scout, as a child, was extremely blunt and didn't really watch her actions and words.

Rithica Deepak

5/12/2013 01:18:25 pm

I agree with Stephanie. I think that the kids were more mature about the situation in the second part. At first they were all going along with what the town thought about Boo Radley and they feared him and said bad things about him. But during the trial they understood the situation better and they knew what was the right thing.

Ada Chau

5/12/2013 03:32:07 pm

I agree with Stephanie, it shows how Jem, Scout and Dill are maturing as they grow older and gain more knowledge about the way society works in Maycomb. They start to understand how people think about other people rather than seeing everyone as just another person. It really opens up their perspective to see the ugly side of things.

Vibhav Joopelli

5/12/2013 10:34:48 am

I do agree with your statement saying how she shows the children becoming dynamic characters, changing as the plot progresses. However I believe this extends past the children, who are used to represent a larger community an show the attitude of the town in general changes after the events of the trial.

Hiba

5/12/2013 11:14:41 am

Arum, I don't quite understand your suggestion on how the kids become dynamic characters. Are you describing their attainment of innocence that was later lost?

Arun

5/12/2013 12:42:04 pm

Hiba, Yes that was what I felt that was a major change in the children who were part of the book. This ultimately mans that their thoughts toward other genders and races have changed

Sahib Chandnani

5/12/2013 12:32:36 pm

I think that your partly right in that the convergence of the storylines end up manifesting in the form of a dynamic change, but I don't believe they are two different stories; just two sides of the same coin. Instead of different, I believe they are parallel yet divergent for the purpose of comparison.

5/12/2013 12:30:25 pm

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5/13/2013 08:57:38 am

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Madison M

5/12/2013 12:33:41 pm

I think that the two story lines worked together perfectly. They made the story more realistic, seeing as all the parts of a person's life don't mesh together perfectly. Also, they were in fact two parts of the same theme, stereotypes and pre-formed opinions. This book layer out how they form and their various consequences. That there were two seemingly unrelated story lines is evidence that stereotypes can take many forms and have varying levels of severity.

Hannah White

5/12/2013 01:29:44 pm

1) In Maycomb, black people were viewed in many ways. A large majority looked down upon them. They were considerd dirty, untrustworthy, or not human. They were not treated the same as white men. But in other cases, like the Finches, they were treated fairly and nice.
I think that it was hard for the jury to decide whether Tom was guilty. From the evidence presented, he was not guilty. Considering the fact that he was a black man changed the whole outlook on the situation. If he would have been a white man, I think that the process would have gone a lot faster and the jury would have only considered the evidence. Being black really contributed to how the jury thought about Tom Robinson.
Question: Did race affect how people went on trial in all cities/states back then?

2) I think that the main reason for Tom Robisons dealth in Chapter 5 is because of Mayella. If she had not tempted him, he would have never ended up in front of that judge. She knows that kissing a black man is one of the worst things you can do. She couldn't have thought that she could kiss him and get away with it. If it weren't for her Tom Robinson might still be alive.
Question: Why did she tempt Tom? Why didn't she go for a white man instead?

3) I think that Haper Lee divides the story into two parts so to help the reader better understand the story. In the beggining it sets a storyline. It also shows jim and scout develope as characters. All of this helped lead into the second half of the story. It explained why some people did what they did. Without it being separated it would have been a jumbled up mess of confuson!
Question: Do you think that the book would have been the same if Haper Lee had the book all into one instead of two separate parts?

Caitlyn Wingerson

5/13/2013 06:15:42 am

1) to provide an answer to your question: I think race affected many if not all state/city court rulings back then. The amount of prejudice may have varied, like other areas besides Maycomb could have been more or less racist, but I believe race did play apart in some city/state court rulings.

2) I have a feeling Mayella just acted out of desperation and failed to think through the situation and consequences of her actions. I think Tom was the first strong, young man that passed by her door at that moment of weakness and they both ended up suffering for what Mayella tried to do.

Farah Hashmi

5/12/2013 01:58:05 pm

I think that Harper Lee divided the book into two parts because she wanted the reader to see different perspectives and because it emphasized the idea of innocence versus reality. In the first part of the book, the story solely revolves around the children and how they react to the different things during that stage in life- namely, Boo Radley. To them, the biggest concern in their little world is the mystery behind this man, their childlike innocence shown through their mythical beliefs (like cold spots) and the imagination when it comes to Boo. However, the second half of the book breaks away from the children’s nicely packed world into one of that of an adult. We start to see the dispute in the community and how the children slowly start to come aware of the real world. There is violence, strong racial divisions, and even rape, all of which is finally exposed to the kids. The trial of Tom Robinson allows us to see how perspective and innocence play a part: to the kids, the biggest predicament is Boo, but this issue seems painfully trivial compared to the case involving Tom Robinson. I think, in its own way, the story does connect nicely in the end. Scout comes in realization to many things, concerning both Boo and the Macomb community, and at the end we see her naïve/ simplistic way of viewing the world is breaking and maturing. Innocence starts to ebb away and Scout is learning new things and growing up.

Bailey Pickett

5/12/2013 02:33:06 pm

question two - it was mayellas fault that tom died because it was her milkshake that brought tom to the yard. it was better than helens.

Laura Paglicawan

5/13/2013 04:12:37 am

Question #1
There's a few number of people who regarded the blacks as equal but all in all, most people in the town of Maycomb despised of them. Those who did not were too scared to stand up for them because they themselves did not want to be outsiders. During the women's conversation, most of the ladies just agreed with what was being said and did not offer their own opinions. This mindset dictated Tom Robinson's conviction as the jury agreed with the Ewell's even though they were not credible.

Laura Paglicawan

5/13/2013 04:17:55 am

I think many people contributed to Tom Robinson's death but the sole contributor would probably have to be Tom himself. He is the one who decided to try to run away even when Atticus told him that there might still be a chance for him to get away free. The soldiers who shot him were only doing their job.

Laura Paglicawan

5/13/2013 04:23:55 am

Question #3
The author divided the book into two parts to represent the the theme of the book. The theme is how Scout and Jem lose their innocence and how they learn about the prejudice and evils of the world. The first part of the book talks about their childhood and the second part is about them growing up. The end puts all the loose pieces together as they manage to maintain their innocence while also having experience.

Laura Paglicawan

5/13/2013 04:35:39 am

#1. I agree with Sarah because in the end the majority always wins and that is what happend in Tom Robinson's case. The people who did not think he was guilty felt that they had to think otherwise or face discrimination themselves.
#1. I also agree with Andrew because the trial gave the people of Maycomb a test of their morals and also gave them a greater insight to how they were treating blacks

Laura Paglicawan

5/13/2013 04:44:38 am

#2. Responding to Farah's question, I think Tom Robinson knew what would happen if he tried to escape but he wanted to die on his own terms. He wanted to be the one to die because of his own decision and not the decisions of the people in the jury or court.
#2. I agree with Viren because the guards were only doing their part and would do the same even if Tom had been a white man trying to run away.

Laura Paglicawan

5/13/2013 04:55:48 am

#3. I agree with Hanna because Jem does seem more mature than Scout. He understands things better but this is because he has more experience and is older than Scout.
#3. In response to Gabby's question, finding out it was Boo Radley who had saved them was a complete surprise for me too. Although it made a whole lot more sense because throughout the book he displayed how he cared for them. Like how he draped a blanket over Scout or folded Jem's pants. If it had been someone else, it would not have made any sense.

Period 6 - TKAM Discussion Questions

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