What is it that caused a mob to form? To disperse? Why do people do things while part of a mob they would not do on their own? Greenup
What is it that caused a mob to form? To disperse? Why do people do things while part of a
mob they would not do on their own? Greenup
mob they would not do on their own? Greenup
In the first of the two chapters of the reading, a mob forms in front of the Finch’s house.
This is obviously an unusual occurrence, as Scout tells us that “In Maycomb, grown men stood
outside in the front yard for only two reasons, death and politics” (165). This sets the mood of
the chapter in a dark, almost foreboding light, and foreshadows the many important events to
come. Scout immediately assumes that the first of the two options has occurred, blind to the
social unrest erupting between the Finch family and the Maycomb citizens. Unlike Scout, Jem
understand the situation and is in fear of what could happen. This is another example of Jem’s
maturity over Scout. The mob forms to discuss the impending decision on the placement of
Tom Robinson. The people seem friendly enough, yet band together against Atticus. As a
whole, the group seems worried about the trouble ‘the Old Sarum bunch’ might cause. This
group of people are probably the men we meet later in the chapter, at the jailhouse, proving
that the worries these people are expressing are in no way ludacris. They also make it obvious
that this trial is a new experience in Maycomb, and they do not know how to handle the
situation appropriately. They proceed to attack Atticus personally, questioning him for ever
taking the case. The group dynamic of the mob is clear, as an individual any one of the men
would be to scared to speak his mind, but feel safe to do so when they are sure others are on
their side. By using this tactic, no singular man loses his reputation and dignity and the
message they provide is stronger. A group of people has a larger voice than any man alone,
and this could create fear in the recipient of such an attack. Opposingly, in this situation it is
obvious that Atticus has the upper hand. He does not shrink away from his morals, and uses
wisdom as a tool in the last moments of the conversation. After the gathering ends, it is
obvious that both Jem and Scout are shaken by the event. This marks a large turning point for
Scout as it signals growth in her character. As she has stated before, “the case never bothered
us except about once a week and then it didn't last” (156). Harper Lee uses this moment to
show Scout that she will need to be on the lookout from now on. She will need to be careful
what she says and does, as her family will be under close watch.
This is obviously an unusual occurrence, as Scout tells us that “In Maycomb, grown men stood
outside in the front yard for only two reasons, death and politics” (165). This sets the mood of
the chapter in a dark, almost foreboding light, and foreshadows the many important events to
come. Scout immediately assumes that the first of the two options has occurred, blind to the
social unrest erupting between the Finch family and the Maycomb citizens. Unlike Scout, Jem
understand the situation and is in fear of what could happen. This is another example of Jem’s
maturity over Scout. The mob forms to discuss the impending decision on the placement of
Tom Robinson. The people seem friendly enough, yet band together against Atticus. As a
whole, the group seems worried about the trouble ‘the Old Sarum bunch’ might cause. This
group of people are probably the men we meet later in the chapter, at the jailhouse, proving
that the worries these people are expressing are in no way ludacris. They also make it obvious
that this trial is a new experience in Maycomb, and they do not know how to handle the
situation appropriately. They proceed to attack Atticus personally, questioning him for ever
taking the case. The group dynamic of the mob is clear, as an individual any one of the men
would be to scared to speak his mind, but feel safe to do so when they are sure others are on
their side. By using this tactic, no singular man loses his reputation and dignity and the
message they provide is stronger. A group of people has a larger voice than any man alone,
and this could create fear in the recipient of such an attack. Opposingly, in this situation it is
obvious that Atticus has the upper hand. He does not shrink away from his morals, and uses
wisdom as a tool in the last moments of the conversation. After the gathering ends, it is
obvious that both Jem and Scout are shaken by the event. This marks a large turning point for
Scout as it signals growth in her character. As she has stated before, “the case never bothered
us except about once a week and then it didn't last” (156). Harper Lee uses this moment to
show Scout that she will need to be on the lookout from now on. She will need to be careful
what she says and does, as her family will be under close watch.
Do you think that Atticus is scared of the coming trial and the repercussions it will have on his
family?
family?
What is the significance of Atticus massaging Jem’s hair at the end of chapter 15?
How do Dill and Boo relate at the end of chapter 14? How do they differ?
Do you think that Scout fully understands what the trial will mean to her family and Maycomb?
I think this was the first event that Scout finally realized that the trial will have repercussions. At first, the repercussions were just words and even though they were hurtful, nobody was physically harmed. After the late-night mob, Scout has realized that Atticus and her family are in real danger. This shows Scout’s view of Maycomb and the people within. She knew Walter Cunningham and thought that he would never bring his family harm, yet he was part of that mob. Personally, I think that Aunt Alexandra came to live in Maycomb because Atticus knew that something like this would happen and he was in danger. If anything were to happen to him, a parental guardian would already be in Maycomb to take care of Scout and Jem.
ReplyDeleteI think Atticus is definitely scared of what is to come with the trial and the danger of him defending Tom Robinson. He knows that they are going to lose the case and that Tom may even get the chair but he wants the truth out. Him wanting this puts him in so much danger that a group of men warned him that a mob wanted Tom dead. He knew this from the very beginning but he still felt the need to help this man. When that mob met up with him at the Jail Scout saw a look in his eyes she had never seen before, this look was fear. He had never feared something but when this mob threatened him he knew his life and Tom’s life was in danger.
ReplyDeleteThe significance in Atticus brushing Scouts hair is that it’s a sign of affection that shows a stronger connection between the two. Throughout the book so far, Lee has made it a point to emphasize the type of relationship that Scout and Atticus have together. They have referred to each other as their friends, and have not shown much physical connections between each other. When you take this into consideration, and the fact that Atticus is Scout’s father, it really shows that they don’t have a very “loving” relationship. But the fact that Atticus was showing a form of physical connection really shows the change in their relationship. This may be because of tial, which is causing Atticus stress, and him having a physical relationship, instead of the more formal relationship, can help him relax more. Why else do you think he might have done this?
ReplyDeleteI believe that Atticus is most definitely fearing the trials and what's to become of them. He knows he's putting his family at risk but will not give up on his case. It is obvious that no matter who they are, Atticus will defend them as his client and do his best to help them. I think that the mob scene outside the jail has huge importance and will throughout the rest of the book. There is a group of people who will always be against something and that group is them. They want to kill Tom Robinson and get him out of the way because he is at "fault"/accused of raping a white woman. It was the first time we had heard from Tom Robinson and it might foreshadow what's to come bu the fact that the mob had come for him.
ReplyDeleteHow do Dill and Boo relate at the end of chapter 14? How do they differ?
ReplyDeleteDill and Boo have different perspectives throughout the book. The Finch's see Dill as a fun, outgoing person to play with when summer comes around. For Boo Radley, the first thought that comes up in their minds is a horrific monster. When Dill runs away from home because his parents don't pay enough attention to him, he has somewhere to run. That is, the Finch household, where he's been many times before and feels welcomed. For Boo, if he were to contemplate running away, he would have nowhere to run, like the book states. Boo has no friends, or at least no known ones. He's never been seen through 15 chapters so far. Dill, has somewhere to run and a welcoming place to visit, while Boo on the other hand is 'trapped' inside his house. The novel's not about how Boo is a monster, but rather how about how innocent he is and how he is symbolic like a Mockingbird.