Pranav Rathore
Joanna Chan
Lit/Writ, Period 2
12/12/17
Socratic Seminar: To Kill a Mockingbird
1. Part one of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, introduces all the characters and their day-to-day lives. Scout, Jem, and Dill were curious about Boo Radley. They tried to reenact Boo Radley’s life and tried to get a glimpse of him. From the very beginning, Atticus tried to teach his kids about right from wrong. He taught Scout a very important concept, “ You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…”(39). Scout did not understand this until later in the book. In part 2, the story mostly revolved around the Tom Robinson trial. We got to see beliefs of Maycomb residents about racial injustice; even children …show more content…
The trial was an example of racial profiling. Scout and Jem saw their father lose the Tom Robinson case, which made them realize the existing prejudice towards African Americans in their society. “ It ain’t right, Atticus,” (284) Jem said after the verdict. Towards the end of the story, Scout’s opinion changed about Boo Radley after Boo saved the lives of Jem and Scout. Scout was no longer afraid of Boo Radley. Scout understood what Atticus meant by considering things from other people’s point of view. She showed maturity and understanding developed from part 1 to part 2 of the story.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird is a love story because of the presence of different forms of love throughout the story. Atticus loved his children - Jem and Scout. He showed his love by guiding Scout and Jem through the right path without the presence of his wife and their mother. He never shouted or hit his children, but got his point across by using words and reasoning. Atticus taught his children to respect everyone. He also taught them to never judge a person by their appearance or behavior. Atticus said, “ You never really understand a person until you consider things from his …show more content…
In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee two major characters subjected to prejudice were Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. Boo Radley was prejudiced because he chose to isolate himself from the society and people started making incorrect assumptions based upon his past. Tom Robinson was prejudiced because of his skin color. Many people of Maycomb spread rumors about Boo Radley, but the biggest culprit was Miss Stephanie Crawford who was the town gossiper. When Jem told Scout about Boo Radley, most of his information came from Miss Stephanie, “As Mr. Radley passes by, Boo drove the scissors into his parent’s leg…”(13). No one knew much about Boo Radley, but they made assumptions about why he never came out of his house. In Tom Robinson’s case, he was a scapegoat of the Ewells family. Bob Ewell stated that Tom Robinson raped his daughter, Mayella Ewell. This accusation looked false after listening to the testimony of all the witnesses. Bob Ewell blamed Tom because Mayella tried to kiss him and Bob did not want to accept the fact that his daughter tried to kiss a black man. Though most of the evidence was contradicting the claims of the Ewells, Tom Robinson was found guilty and got convicted. He was not convicted because of the evidence, but based on the stereotype that all black men would take advantage of a white woman, if they would get a chance. During the case, Mr. Gilmer talked to Tom in a disrespectful way, which made Dill upset, but Scout didn’t find this unjust and
Joanna Chan
Lit/Writ, Period 2
12/12/17
Socratic Seminar: To Kill a Mockingbird
1. Part one of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, introduces all the characters and their day-to-day lives. Scout, Jem, and Dill were curious about Boo Radley. They tried to reenact Boo Radley’s life and tried to get a glimpse of him. From the very beginning, Atticus tried to teach his kids about right from wrong. He taught Scout a very important concept, “ You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…”(39). Scout did not understand this until later in the book. In part 2, the story mostly revolved around the Tom Robinson trial. We got to see beliefs of Maycomb residents about racial injustice; even children …show more content…
The trial was an example of racial profiling. Scout and Jem saw their father lose the Tom Robinson case, which made them realize the existing prejudice towards African Americans in their society. “ It ain’t right, Atticus,” (284) Jem said after the verdict. Towards the end of the story, Scout’s opinion changed about Boo Radley after Boo saved the lives of Jem and Scout. Scout was no longer afraid of Boo Radley. Scout understood what Atticus meant by considering things from other people’s point of view. She showed maturity and understanding developed from part 1 to part 2 of the story.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird is a love story because of the presence of different forms of love throughout the story. Atticus loved his children - Jem and Scout. He showed his love by guiding Scout and Jem through the right path without the presence of his wife and their mother. He never shouted or hit his children, but got his point across by using words and reasoning. Atticus taught his children to respect everyone. He also taught them to never judge a person by their appearance or behavior. Atticus said, “ You never really understand a person until you consider things from his …show more content…
In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee two major characters subjected to prejudice were Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. Boo Radley was prejudiced because he chose to isolate himself from the society and people started making incorrect assumptions based upon his past. Tom Robinson was prejudiced because of his skin color. Many people of Maycomb spread rumors about Boo Radley, but the biggest culprit was Miss Stephanie Crawford who was the town gossiper. When Jem told Scout about Boo Radley, most of his information came from Miss Stephanie, “As Mr. Radley passes by, Boo drove the scissors into his parent’s leg…”(13). No one knew much about Boo Radley, but they made assumptions about why he never came out of his house. In Tom Robinson’s case, he was a scapegoat of the Ewells family. Bob Ewell stated that Tom Robinson raped his daughter, Mayella Ewell. This accusation looked false after listening to the testimony of all the witnesses. Bob Ewell blamed Tom because Mayella tried to kiss him and Bob did not want to accept the fact that his daughter tried to kiss a black man. Though most of the evidence was contradicting the claims of the Ewells, Tom Robinson was found guilty and got convicted. He was not convicted because of the evidence, but based on the stereotype that all black men would take advantage of a white woman, if they would get a chance. During the case, Mr. Gilmer talked to Tom in a disrespectful way, which made Dill upset, but Scout didn’t find this unjust and