To Kill A Mockingbird - Short Answer Responses
Q7: What satirical points are being made about education through Scout 's experiences at school? At the beginning of Chapter two in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the author Harper Lee portrays the new education system in a negative light through the use of short comments and in class events. For example, at one point a 1st grade teacher simply waves vocabulary cards at dumbfounded students while they "[receive] these impressionistic revelations in silence." Clearly, Lee wants to point out the ineffectiveness of the new education system and even ridicules it. Her word choice contributes to that, as receiving "impressionistic revelations" in silence, could be seen as an oxymoron in itself. "[Trying] …show more content…
Mostly due to political differences, curiosity and worry, the first crowd that visits Atticus "were people [he] saw every day: merchants, in-town farmers," doctors and more; they came to warn him about the future case. This crowd—hardly a real mob—visits Atticus because they feel uneasy about a court affair in which the word of a white man would be tested against that of a black man. These people simply try to hold Atticus off the case because they knew it would bring trouble. On the contrary, the second mob that Atticus faces consists of "strangers... in overalls and denim shirts, ...[with] hats pulled firmly down over their ears:" men one would rather prefer not to encounter. These covered up strangers—mostly uneducated country folk—present the near definition of a lynch mob. They had a clear intention: to kill the ‘Negro’ involved in the court case. Compared to the first mob, the second evidently lacks a good education: the way they talk, behave, even move, exemplifies the characteristics of idiocy. Altogether, the first mob tries to verbally warn Atticus to let the case go, while the second mob attempts to take matters into their own hands and murder the involved party. The mobs Atticus faces are quite different; nonetheless, they both try to move Atticus away from the …show more content…
In the book, Jem presents a thorough understanding of Maycomb 's social order which consists of "four kinds of folks,” his family status and background, together with a rough idea of racism in Maycomb. All these concepts and thoughts spring from mature minds only; the ability to reflect on life, family and culture signify the forthcoming of perceptive intelligence. As a young boy, Jem had never understood why people could not simply get along with each other; however, as a teenager, he forms his own ideas and explanations to this question. He begins to understand the deeper conflicts behind the blissful mask of Maycomb. Along with his mental growth, Jem experiences physical growth in form of height, "a new slimness about his body," thickening hair, and his decision to go "out for football next year." All the previous attributes announce the coming of manhood. The incorporation of football further adds to his manliness, as such a physical sport requires reflexes, cunning and strength. Evidently, Jem goes through the stages of puberty which, ultimately, brings full maturity. The once childish boy grows up to be a strong man on many different levels, exemplifying the thoughts and appearance of a
Q7: What satirical points are being made about education through Scout 's experiences at school? At the beginning of Chapter two in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the author Harper Lee portrays the new education system in a negative light through the use of short comments and in class events. For example, at one point a 1st grade teacher simply waves vocabulary cards at dumbfounded students while they "[receive] these impressionistic revelations in silence." Clearly, Lee wants to point out the ineffectiveness of the new education system and even ridicules it. Her word choice contributes to that, as receiving "impressionistic revelations" in silence, could be seen as an oxymoron in itself. "[Trying] …show more content…
Mostly due to political differences, curiosity and worry, the first crowd that visits Atticus "were people [he] saw every day: merchants, in-town farmers," doctors and more; they came to warn him about the future case. This crowd—hardly a real mob—visits Atticus because they feel uneasy about a court affair in which the word of a white man would be tested against that of a black man. These people simply try to hold Atticus off the case because they knew it would bring trouble. On the contrary, the second mob that Atticus faces consists of "strangers... in overalls and denim shirts, ...[with] hats pulled firmly down over their ears:" men one would rather prefer not to encounter. These covered up strangers—mostly uneducated country folk—present the near definition of a lynch mob. They had a clear intention: to kill the ‘Negro’ involved in the court case. Compared to the first mob, the second evidently lacks a good education: the way they talk, behave, even move, exemplifies the characteristics of idiocy. Altogether, the first mob tries to verbally warn Atticus to let the case go, while the second mob attempts to take matters into their own hands and murder the involved party. The mobs Atticus faces are quite different; nonetheless, they both try to move Atticus away from the …show more content…
In the book, Jem presents a thorough understanding of Maycomb 's social order which consists of "four kinds of folks,” his family status and background, together with a rough idea of racism in Maycomb. All these concepts and thoughts spring from mature minds only; the ability to reflect on life, family and culture signify the forthcoming of perceptive intelligence. As a young boy, Jem had never understood why people could not simply get along with each other; however, as a teenager, he forms his own ideas and explanations to this question. He begins to understand the deeper conflicts behind the blissful mask of Maycomb. Along with his mental growth, Jem experiences physical growth in form of height, "a new slimness about his body," thickening hair, and his decision to go "out for football next year." All the previous attributes announce the coming of manhood. The incorporation of football further adds to his manliness, as such a physical sport requires reflexes, cunning and strength. Evidently, Jem goes through the stages of puberty which, ultimately, brings full maturity. The once childish boy grows up to be a strong man on many different levels, exemplifying the thoughts and appearance of a