Free Response Post - What is the significance of Harper Lee including that the children sit in the “colored section” during the trial? Winschel

The significance of Harper Lee including that the children sit in the “colored section” during the trial offers them a different perspective. The “Maycomb Way” is self-centered around white people and disrespect towards colored ones. Luckily for Jem and Scout, they have a father who is respectful to both races and sets a good example for his children. On page 186, the book states, “...[Reverend Sykes] steered us gently through the black people in the balcony. Four Negroes rose and gave us their front-row seats.” This text shows the inequality of black people in the 1930’s and having to give up your seat to white folks. This scene also gives Jem and Scout the ability to step inside their shoes and feel what they feel. The main takeaway from this passage is that Jem and Scout did not think about sitting with the colored people. Right when Reverend Sykes offers to sit on the balcony with them, they say “Gosh yes” without hesitation. Harper Lee includes this scene at the trial to show how Atticus’ children and Dill do not carry the same racist tone that other white folks do in Maycomb and that they treat everyone equally irrelevant of the skin color.


How does the trial change Scout and Jem's perspective?

What lessons do the children learn from Tom Robinson's trial?
Is love or hate a stronger topic in these chapters?

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2019 at 5:17 AM

    What lessons do the children learn from Tom Robinson's trial?

    Throughout the trial the children learn many things and lessons.The first is most definitely racism in the town of Maycomb. During the trial the racism shows and the white people act superior to black people. Jem and Scout see Atticus at work for the first time being a lawyer. They see a different side of Atticus as he is questioning and cross examining the other witnesses. This trial and Jem and Scout being at the trial helps Scout’s growth. Scout gets to see his father in a different light. Scout is also exposed to more racism which helps his growth.

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  2. leilabpSeptember 25, 2019 at 9:44 AM

    From the very start of the trial, the kids have learned so much about the world. They learned before it started that Atticus was probably going to lose, but that he was brave enough to try anyways in times of uncertainty. Before the kids even walked into the trial, they say the group of black people outside who weren't allowed to go in to get good seats until all the white people were satisfied. This showed them the divide that they were never able to see within their mainly white town. I think that the days before the trial taught them more than the actual trial because they got to see the their town through totally different eyes then they have ever been exposed to.

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