TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

How does Arthur Radley’s past history of violence foreshadow his method of protecting Jem and Scout? Does this make him more or less, of a sympathetic character?

 

• Boo Radley’s past history of violence foreshadows his attitude towards Scout and Jem because he doesn't want them to live in fear of the world. Boo Radley protects them due to the level of care he feels towards them. The way he acts towards Scout is as if she was his younger sister that he doesn’t want any harm towards her even if one piece of hair is put out of place. This makes him a sympathetic character towards these two young children because he takes care of them in the shadows, which creates a hole in the tales they have been told about him as they were growing up. The stories they have of Boo Radley contradict to what they have experienced first hand due to him saving Jem and Scouts life when Mr Ewell tries to hurt them due to the court case their father had against his daughter's testimony. As this unravels Scout sees the real Boo Radley that everyone in Maycomb denies to see.

 

Due to the death of Jean Louise and Jeremy’s mother’s death, several women—Calpurnia, Miss Maudie, and Aunt Alexandra—has been functioning as their mother figures to Scout and Jem. Discuss the ways these three women
influence Scout's growing understanding of what it means to be a Southern "lady."

 

• The ways these three women influence Scout’s growing up as a ‘lady’ is in many different ways. Calpurnia shows her how to be respectful towards the elders around her but also how to speak like a proper lady. Calpurnia shows her how the women in this day and age should be treated.  Miss Maudie shows this by explaining to her the fundamental necessities in being a women and not to take what people say to her to heart. Aunt Alexandra on the other hand shows her how women in Maycomb county dress, attend high teas and should act. As Scout has never grown up to this way of life being  tomboy is the only thing that she knows how to do. For Scout being a proper lady is like telling a child to ride a bike for the first time without training wheels. As she gets adjusted to what Aunt Alexandra is teaching her about being the ideal lady she is going to make a few mistakes because she is still a child who is still learning the complete ways of Maycomb.

 

Why does Atticus Finch risk his reputation, his friendships, and his career to take Tom Robinson’s case? Do you think he  risks too much by putting his children in harm’s way?

 

• Atticus is doing this case because he believes in the values of justice and equality. Though he has explained this matter to Scout on multiple occasions, just because he was of different race didn’t mean that he shouldn’t be defended like a white man. Though if he didn’t take this case he wouldn’t be able to tell Jem or Scout what is right or wrong. Atticus believes that the actions that he does will shadow to his children and therefore has to be the best role-model he can be for them. If he believes that his children have values he has to show an example to his children first. To show this to his children he is taking the case of Tom Robinson he is displaying the key values and equality that he wants his children to understand. For Atticus taking this case is giving him the hope that his children believe that discrimination is bad and a ripple effect to the town of Maycomb, to show that everyone no matter their skin colour are all equal.