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So far, from what I´ve read from the book it´s very interesting. I like to think that Atticus and the kids have a special relationship. They dont mind getting a spanking from Atticus, but the thing that hurts them the most is having him be dissapointed in them. Pretty weird for children so young because now a days children that age dont mind their parents anymore? A lot of difference from then and now, right?
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Connor (Oklahoma)
2/9/2013 02:59:07 am
Scout and Jem have a great amount of respect for Atticus, but I think it depends on how the children are raised by the parents to see how deep that respect goes. If you think about it, Dill might not have mutual respect for this father because, from what I read, his father abandoned him. Families are very important in this book and it's interesting to see how they grow together.
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Courtney K. (Indiana)
2/21/2013 09:11:54 am
I do agree with what you said about how kids have more respect for people if they were brought up with respect by their parents!
Victoria Smead (Indiana)
3/11/2013 07:57:23 am
I totally agree that is weird that they calls him Atticus instead of father. At first I thought that maybe he was a step father and they just called him their father becuase it was easier. Later on in the book I just started to realize how close Scott and Jem really were to their father, and because they were so close, they were almost just like friends, calling each other by their first names.
Victoria Smead
3/11/2013 07:58:23 am
Sorry, that was supposed to go under Jessica's.
Hadley Gaff
3/11/2013 12:16:46 pm
I definately think that it was how the children were raised. Dill and Scout are perfect examples of the possibilities, because they've been raised in such different environments. Though i found it a little strange that they didn't refer to him as father or dad, but instead Atticus.
Jessica Barnes (Oklahoma)
2/10/2013 07:27:00 am
What i find interesting about Atticus' and his children's relationship is that the kids call him by his first name and not dad or father. It's evident that the children have full respect and admiration for their father, but why do they call him by his first name? I was under the impression that during the Great Depression, it was unusual to call your parents by their first names. This was just something I found interesting in their relationship.
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Anna (Indiana)
2/11/2013 07:30:22 am
On page 5 Scout introduces Atticus by saying "my father, Atticus Finch...". I wonder if their relationship is so close that their Dad doesn't mind being called by his first name. You are certainly right about this being unusual for the time period. Whenever I read something based on the Great Depression, the children always approach their parents by saying "Mom or Dad".
Addressing a person by their first name shows more respect than titles or sweet nothings, in my opinion. First names are personal and unique, unlike last names or titles, ect. Besides, Atticus is a sensible man-what use are titles really? To boost ego? To feed pride? Atticus is not so insecure as to be offended by his own children not addressing him as "father".
Also, this respect is mutual. Adding on to my Atticus-is-a-sensible-man bit: How could Atticus expect respect from Jem and Scott if he did not respect them in turn? Atticus shows his respect for his children by not sheltering them from the ugly truths of the world, by never speaking "down" to them, and by holding them to respectable standards/treating them like adults.
Melissa (Indiana)
2/24/2013 04:40:56 am
I think that they had such a good relationship and Atticus wants his children to be comfortable telling him anything. I think that Atticus just want his kids to be fully aware of everything and show that they can trust in him.
Elizabeth Rudolph (Indiana)
2/24/2013 05:37:04 am
I agree it is interesting that they call Atticus by his name instead of father or dad. Maybe this was something that was common in the area they lived in. I like that they call him Atticus however. I think it shows
Elizabeth Rudolph (Indiana)
2/24/2013 05:38:28 am
...that they have a very casual relationship and are able to communicate on a first name basis.
Derek Edmundson (Oklahoma)
3/2/2013 07:21:57 am
I believe that Atticus wants the kids to think themselves to be equals with him. There isn't a need for a chain of command when the kids respect him so much that they will try their hardest to follow his dirctions. This is shown when Scout will much rather be punished and take the blame for something else then dissapoint Atticus.
Storm (OK)
3/3/2013 11:44:10 am
This is like this because of Atticus' treatment of Jem and Scout as equals not as children like most adults would do.
Linda Ngo (Indiana)
3/11/2013 09:44:12 am
I also agree with the other comments that Atticus thinks of Scout and and Jem as equals. It seems like he does not feel more superior than them in some aspects, like how he allowed the children to watch the rest of the court trial.
Emily Barack (Indiana)
3/11/2013 10:37:06 am
That's a good point. Jem and Scout have a lot of respect for their father, Atticus, but they call him by his first name? Maybe that was just a normal thing back then and it just seems strange to us now because many kids don't called their parents by their first name nowadays.
Megan (Indiana)
2/22/2013 10:59:34 pm
I think that Atticus has treated his children like adults and respected their opinions since they could walk and talk. He let them do whatever they wanted, but somehow they didn't act spoiled like children often do today. Nowadays, parents baby their young children far too long by always carrying them around even once they're 4 or the tv constantly being their source of entertainment. Scout and Jem learned from the outdoors, reading, and by talking to their father about his job.
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Demi IN
3/3/2013 03:35:11 am
Yes, Atticus's way of parenting really impacts the kids and teaches them how to act like young adults, rather than whiny spoiled kids. They are ahead in their education by already knowing how to read, and they learn to bond and rely on one another.
Cameron B. (Oklahoma)
3/3/2013 08:38:01 am
I agree Atticus treats his kids with respect and seems like he has trust, something that most parents do not have now. Instead of negligence like we have now he shows them how to actually live and have morals and actually talks to them at the dinner table and makes them more advance in schooling before they even go to school
Jon(IN)
3/11/2013 10:30:37 am
It is pretty interesting how Atticus's children treat their father. They don't act spoiled but yet he lets them do what they want. Weird.
Emily (Indiana)
3/11/2013 10:34:30 am
I agree completely. Atticus is a good father and he really trusts Scout and Jem. They didn't act spoiled like most kids do nowadays. They actually spend time outside playing and having fun like normal kids should instead of sitting inside all day on the computer.
Savannah Furniss IN.
3/3/2013 01:26:36 am
I agree that kids aren't as mindful of their parents, but I think ( not trying to be sexist) girls are more concerned about parents being disappointed than boys are. It seems boys require parents to take more action to get their message across and with girls parents can just show they are disappointed with them. I don't know why that is. Is it because as a society girls are raised to be more "people pleasers" and boys are raised to think more for themselves? In the book, both Jem and Scout seem to be equally influenced by their father's disappointment- so in that case maybe things have changed some.
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Emily Barack (Indiana)
3/11/2013 10:41:58 am
This is true. In the book, it seemed like whenever Jem did something bad, he just kind of blew it off. As for Scout, she was always concerned if Atticus was going to be angry and if they were going to get in trouble. In society today, that still seems to be true. It seems like boys need to be reminded again and again before an adult or parent gets their point across. As for girls, it seems like we never want to get in trouble because we don't like being yelled at and have the feeling that our parents are disappointed in us.
Amy Hausfeld indiana
3/10/2013 01:29:14 pm
This is true, I think it all has to do with the morales and way a person was brought up. Tis can still be true today, it just all depends how a child's parents and if they treated their children like Atticus did to his, I'm sure they would act the same way to their parents that the finch kids kid to Atticus.
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Jonah (Indiana)
3/11/2013 08:07:36 am
I know for me the disappointment is much worse than the anger. It lasts longer than the anger and stings much more. The world has changed. American kids don't really respect their parents any more. (I'm speaking in general.) I think that most of the problems that our nation has could be traced back to the family.
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Annie(Indiana)
3/11/2013 10:30:48 am
There is such a difference between Jem and Scout, and children today! Children disrespect their parents and other authority and disregard the consequences. I agree that the kids in the book really do have a special relationship with Atticus. It's too bad not everyone has that connection with their parents.
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Jake P. (Oklahoma)
2/10/2013 04:06:10 am
How do you think Jem feels about Dill and Scout's little relationship? Do you think it bothers him or does he ignore it and not worry about it?
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Preston (Oklahoma)
2/10/2013 05:44:51 am
At the point in the book that I am at, he seems to mostly ignore the relationship, although it is entirely possible that he doesn't even know about it because i cannot recall a point in the book in which Dill shows his affection for Scout when Jem is around.
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Sophie [Indiana]
2/20/2013 11:24:44 am
I think that Jem isn't as worried now because Scout is so young. It probably doesn't bother him because Scout is young so Jem probably thinks it's not serious.
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Michaelle Indiana
2/24/2013 01:39:41 am
Scout describes sneaking kisses with Dill somewhere in the book, so I think it's that Jem doesn't know much about their relationship. I don't think he’d care if he did though because I feel like he thinks of Scout as grown up enough to care and think for herself, especially after Jem hits puberty. He probably wouldn't care at all because he's to absorbed in other things at that point.
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Melissa (Indiana)
2/24/2013 04:43:37 am
Jem for mostly the whole book ignores there relationship because Scout is so young and there really isn't anything to worry about with Scout and Dill yet.
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Mia (Indiana)
3/2/2013 10:28:43 pm
I don't think that Jem really notices at this point in the book. If he did know I don't think he would care that much, but you never know. But as Michaelle said Scout talks about "sneaking kisses from Dill" so that kind of makes you think that Jem isn't supposed to know, or doesn't know at this point.
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Emily Barack (Indiana)
3/11/2013 10:43:50 am
I don't think Jem really notices or cares about Dill and Scout's relationship, but you never know.
Nate K. (Oklahoma)
3/2/2013 11:29:32 pm
I don't think Jem cares too much about Dill and Scout's relationship. He already acts much older than them that i think he sees it as childish and he ignores it. Look at it if you were in his shoes and it was your little sister and her friend. At the age they are at I would just ignore it and think it childish.
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Ashley (Indiana)
3/3/2013 06:58:42 am
I think Jem could be a little jealous of Dills and Scouts relationship. I think this because Dill and Scout have a relationship that Jem isn't involved in at all. Although Jem is older and sometimes acts like he doesn't care, i think he does. Since Scout is his little sibling I think this is why Jem cares. I dont think it bothers him that much but it might a little bit because they have something that Jem and Dill dont have.
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Luke (Indiana
3/9/2013 10:09:24 am
Yes, I agree with the others when Jem just really isn't around when it is happening. Also, Jem could just flat out not care and he knows that Scout is too young and nothing will happen.
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August (Indiana)
3/9/2013 10:09:25 pm
I think it's just another little thing to show that Scout and Jem are still kids, despite everything going on. There were points in the book I had trouble keeping in mind that the story was being told by a second grader. It was childish things like that helping to keep childhood in mind, a very important aspect f the book.
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Linda Ngo (Indiana)
3/11/2013 09:46:32 am
I believe that Jem feels pretty bothered by the closeness of Dill's and Scout's relationship because Jem has always considered the closest person to Scout. So having another person butt in may seem like a big change and it may be hard to take. Also, Jem feels a bit left out because Dill concentrates most of his energy on Scout and not him.
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Megan (Indiana)
2/10/2013 06:33:36 am
I just read about the trial and about the town as well as Scout and Jem's reactions. In any small town I'm sure a case like this would be monumental and would change the order of things if only for a little bit. My question is if you think how large of an impact this trial had/has in Scout and Jem and even Dill's life. If its a memory they will always carry with them. And how, down the road, it could affect their lives and decisions.
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Samantha S (Oklahoma)
2/19/2013 05:59:29 am
Well, like you mentioned, Maycomb is a small town. News probably spreads really quickly, especially with a case like this one. I think this will have a huge impact in the lives of Jem, Scout, and Dill. It's amazing how Atticus has raised his children. They do not judge a man by the color of his skin. Jem and Scout see the facts. They understand that the evidence points away from Tom Robinson. It is unfortunate that not everyone thinks the way they do. I think that with the way this case turned out, Jem and Scout might find a better understanding of the way people think of African Americans in their time period. Hopefully, down the road, they will fight for equal rights and continue to stand up for anyone in need, may he be white or black. They might just be able to change the mind of some people.
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Austin (Indiana)
3/10/2013 10:14:44 am
I see your point in saying that. In a small town like that, everyone is going to hear how a white man stood up for a black man because of the times they are living in. Right now, they don't understand why people are making rude gestures towards blacks; they think they are equal. This is good because it will help them later in life by not being judgmental based on race. They will have a better understanding of things and will handle the matter better.
Joshua (Oklahoma)
2/10/2013 08:31:15 am
In the book they don't really talk about Atticus and Calpurnia's relationship. Is there a reason for that or did I just miss that part of the book? Because they are both parental figures in the kids lives.
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Miranda (Oklahoma)
2/19/2013 06:52:21 am
I think it's just implied that Atticus respects Calpurnia and thinks of her as a mother figure for the kids. It's never blatantly said, but this is evident in the way Atticus and Calpurnia interact. He never questions Calpurnia's disciplining of the children and Atticus realizes how important Calpurnia is to the children's lives.
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Courtney K. (Indiana)
2/21/2013 09:07:33 am
I never really thought about that! I am not all the way done with the book but so far it seems as if Calpurnia is just there to help around the house. Scout really does look uo to her and respect her though. I think his dad may have taught him that one! (to respect all adults)
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Michaelle Indiana
2/24/2013 01:42:50 am
Atticus tells Aunt Alexandra many times that he won't get rid of Calpurnia because she is family and because she takes care of the kids. I think he thinks of her as a caretaker and a friend that he wouldn't be able to live without.
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Nate K (Oklahoma)
3/2/2013 11:33:41 pm
I think the relationship is one of mutual respect. Atticus knows that he would have a much harder time without Calpurnia and sees all the work that she does and respects her for it. Calpurnia knows how hard Attucis tries and sees how difficult his job is and she respects Atticus for that. The thing is, the book never states this; rather, it's implied through the way they interact and what they say.
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Savannah Furniss IN.
3/3/2013 01:39:20 am
I think that the book explains the relationship just how it was as an employer-employee relationship. Nowadays employees are much more comfortable speaking their minds or stating their feelings to employers, but in the 1920's and 30's when this book takes place it was much different. Employees were much more mindful of their "place" in comparison to their employers, especially black employees with white employers. It would not have been acceptable for Atticus to talk about his day or his children with Cal. And it would not have been ok for Cal to tell Atticus how he should raise his children or share about her personal life. Even when Cal keeps the children over night and has to take them to church in the morning, her first thought was to take them to their own church but of course she wasn't allowed in their church and the children needed supervision so she reluctantly took them to her church. And even there some people treated her as if she was overstepping her "place" in that household.
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Demi IN
3/3/2013 03:32:08 am
I wouldn't of guessed that Atticus and Calpurnia really had a "relationship", but more of a respectable friendship. Although she is their maid or whatever you want to call it, she is an influence on the kids and disciplines them and teaches them like a mother would.
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Storm (OK)
3/3/2013 11:45:59 am
Her relationship with the family is special because she takes a slight motherly role toward both of the children and assits them with their life just as much as Atticus does
Emily Barack (Indiana)
3/11/2013 10:45:52 am
If you think about it, Calpurnia is kind of like a mother to Jem and Scout. She cares for them,disciplines them, and teaches them just like Atticus.
Amy hausfeld indiana
3/10/2013 01:20:08 pm
I think that he just respects her so much and understands how important that she is in their lives, so I just think that they don't really interact in any other way then a pseudo mother figure for the kids. I don't think they interact much because their relationship isn't really that important because they both have very different impacts on the lives of the children but not on each other
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Jasmine (Oklahoma)
2/12/2013 09:09:56 am
I think it's very cute how Dill and Scout have a little relationship, but i question whether Jem is okay with his little sister having a "boyfriend" maybe he'll be okay with it, maybe not ?
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Kendall
2/21/2013 11:49:35 am
I'm not quite sure that Jem even knows about their relationship. From what I've read it doesn't appear as if Dill has openly proposed his "love" for Scout in front of Jem or anyone for that matter.
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Derek Edmundson (Oklahoma)
3/2/2013 07:26:05 am
I believe that Jem understands that they are bot serious and he doesn't about anything inappropriate with them. I also thinks that he is okay with them being in a "relationship" because he likes and cares for Dill himself. With the mutual respect the Finch family has he respects Scout to make her own descions.
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Collin L (OK)
3/4/2013 06:39:58 am
I think Jem knows about Dill and Scout's relationship, but he does not worry about it because they are both so young. In chapter 6, as Jem, Dill, and Scout reach Miss Rachel's house after Jem loses his pants in the Radley fence, Scout narrates how Dill "ran back out and kissed [Scout] in front of Jem," so the relationship is no secret to Jem. While he may know about it, Jem also knows about the childlike nature of the relationship. In chapter 12, when Scout finds out that Dill will not be coming for the summer, she describes how she "stayed miserable for two days," implying that the relationship is not serious, because two days is a short amount of time to be upset about not being able to see your "fiancé" for another full year. So while Scout may think the relationship is serious, Jem knows better.
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Linda Ngo (Indiana)
3/11/2013 09:52:30 am
I don't think that Jem really likes the idea of Dill getting close to his sister. Dill had originally been friends with Jem in the beginning so I think Jem feels a bit of envy that Dill chose Scout over him.
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Sophie [Indiana]
2/20/2013 11:27:39 am
I was thinking of how the case and the jury's decision was a huge injustice and sign of racial discrimination back when the book was written but I was thinking, are there any times today or events today that show there is still large injustice in society? [As in injustice towards anything.] and are some jurors still biased when presented court cases?
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Jake P. (Oklahoma)
2/24/2013 09:28:45 am
Yes I do still think there is injustice in our society. But, I believe that the type of injustice is different. In our world today, I believe that now it's not only color that is discriminated against, but money has become a new factor. Just think, how much do you think you judge a person based off money? Back in Jem and Scout's day blacks' were the ones who were discriminated against, today people are judged by what possessions they own and how much money they have.
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Derek Edmundson
3/2/2013 07:30:24 am
I believe that the terrible truth is that discrimination will always exist in society because everyone has their own ideals, and some want everyone to think like themselves because they are "right". For an example of discrimination in modern life many discriminate against gays even though they are still human beings and should be allowed to believe whatever they wish.
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Jacob Domrique (Oklahoma)
3/2/2013 11:26:58 pm
I agree with you. Discrimination is affecting more than just blacks now. People will always think that they are better than someone else which leads to discrimination. People are attacked in some way or another because of many things. These things could be hobbies, race, gender, and many more. Everyone is different and everyone has their opinion. Discrimination will always be an issue in the human way of life.
August (Indiana)
3/9/2013 10:15:15 pm
Yes there is injustice still, all we have to do is turn on the news to see that. Ever single day, people tear down other people for some material gain, some negaive, warped enotional gain, or for ho reason at all. As tobiased juries, I'd say that still happens too. We son't hear about it much, because we usually don't follow court proceedings too closely, being high schoolers. Without doing that, it's hard to tell, but I don't doubt some jurors judge based on the person, not the evidence.
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Emily G (Oklahoma)
2/20/2013 10:40:48 pm
Although prejudice and racial discrimination has been minimized over time, it is still sometimes an issue in society today. Many innocent people are unfairly convicted every year, and many guilty people are set free. You can see racism through people that make snide comments degrading other races and cultures and rudely making fun of them.
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Michaelle Indiana
2/24/2013 01:46:44 am
Prejudice is always an issue in society today. It doesn't just have to be in murder cases, it's all around us. All prejudice means is the judgment of people before you know them, which everyone does. Everyone automatically thinks positively or negatively about someone they meet because of their appearance or their demeanor.
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Mykenzie Kostka (Indiana)
2/24/2013 08:35:52 am
I would like to know who are your favorite characters and why? My favorite character is Boo Radley. There isn't much said about him, but I am as fascinated with him as Scout.
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Emily B (Oklahoma)
2/25/2013 09:54:07 am
My favorite character is also Boo. There were so many far-fetched stories about him, but I wondered if any of them were true. I have now finished the book (I won't say anything that will ruin the ending) and I love how Boo is portrayed in the end.
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Samantha S (Oklahoma)
2/26/2013 05:58:47 am
In the beginning of the book, I did not really understand why Harper Lee put the character of Boo in the book. Boo is actually mentioned quite a lot in the beginning. Jem, Scout, and Dill even make up a game about him and his family. But after that, during the trial, he isn't really mentioned why. At first I didn't really understand why it seems like Boo Radley plays an important part in the book, yet he is rarely in it. But I can say, after reading the end (I also won't spoil anything), I can make some connections to how Boo Radley fits into the whole story. I don't know if he is my favorite, but he is definitely an important character.
My favorite character is Atticus. He is a role model for everyone. He is polite, intelligent, honest, hardworking, and so much more. When Scout is upset or has a question, Atticus is there for her for comfort. Although he is around fifty, he still works hard to support his family. He treats everyone with respect, no matter what race. To me, Atticus can be considered a father figure.
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Mia (Indiana)
3/2/2013 10:31:57 pm
I agree with you Mykenzie. Boo Radley is also my favorite character. At the beginning of the book he's so mysterious and spooky, it was interesting to me. I always like the characters who kind of hide back in the shadows and show who they really are towards the end of story.
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Ashley (Indiana)
3/3/2013 07:35:18 am
My favorite character is probably Calpurnia. This is because she raises Jem and Scout well and teaches them life lessons. She is a little strict with them but it only makes their relationship stronger. I find it interesting how she speaks two different languages and Jem and Scout don't find out until later in the book. Also, although she is a cook her and Atticus have a good relationship that I think is important even though its not really mentioned in the book.
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Emily Barack (Indiana)
3/11/2013 10:47:58 am
Calpurnia is also my favorite character. She cares for Jem and Scout just like a mother would. She disciplines them, teaches them, and cares for them just like a mother would. She plays a really important part in the story.
Collin L (OK)
3/4/2013 07:01:26 am
My favorite character would definitely be Atticus. He is such a fantastic father to Jem and Scout. He teaches them so many lessons, never gets angry, and does not expose them to racial discrimination, which was so uncommon in the South in that time period. His most admirable quality, in my opinion, was described by Miss Maudie. She said, "'Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets.'" He treats everyone with respect, and does not follow the crowd. He took Tom Robinson's case despite all of the criticism he recieved. Atticus is an example of true integrity and morality, not only to his children, but also the readers of the novel.
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Kayla IN
3/9/2013 01:34:50 am
I agreed with you, my favorite character is Boo Radley. I love how understanding he is of the kids imagination. He understands why they want to learn more about him and doesn't act bitter toward the kids. He seems to always do the right thing. He fixes Jem's pants and saves the kids lives. I think he is an outstanding character because of how good and humble he is.
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Ben Schwartz
3/11/2013 11:40:09 am
I agree with you in the way that boo is my favorite character. He is always under radar, getting talked about badly by the community, but always coming to save the day and showing that he is a nice guy
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Nick R. (Oklahoma)
2/24/2013 10:32:33 am
So in regard to Harper Lee's reclusive status; i was wondering like in everything else in her life she seems to relate it somehow or way to the book. Personally i believe that she put Boo Radley in the book partially to explain why she is so reclusive in an attempt to exclude herself from racist adults; this might also explain as to why she will only talk to children, because in the book it seems that only children are innocent to the disease of racism.
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Victoria Smead (Indiana)
3/11/2013 08:05:14 am
I totally agree that Harper Lee wrote the book out of personal experience with herself with the fact of how Boo Radley is always in her house. I find it interesting that Harper Lee, after writing her award winning book, is now in hiding and never really comes out to be seen. What is so ironic with her, is that she wrote the book before she started to get all of the fame and hiding. It was almost like she knew that she wasn't going to like all of the fame, and that she was going to stay clear of the paparazzi because she wouldn't like all of the fame. I think the whole situation with Boo Radley and Harper Lee being so alike is very ironic.
My question is what did all of you think of the ending? My reaction was amazement to how Harper Lee made The Gray Ghost symbolize Boo Radley. I was also happy that Scout learned the lesson of stepping into other people's shoes.
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Jasmine (Oklahoma)
2/28/2013 08:50:16 am
I love how she did that because it makes people think twice about judging before knowing. Boo Radely was a nice man who cared for Scout and Jem , that¨s all it was all a long, but everyone feared him, which was wrong on their part.
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Nate K (Oklahoma)
3/2/2013 11:38:27 pm
I think the ending wrapped the book up very well. Scout learns the lesson about stepping into other people's shoes and she finally satisfies her curiosity about Boo Radly. I really liked how Heck Tate decided to explain how Bob Ewell died, it saved Boo from having to come into the lime light, something he would have hated.
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Collin L (OK)
3/4/2013 07:11:28 am
I loved how the ending made the book come full circle. The book opened with Scout describing when Jem broke his arm, and it ended with the events leading up to him breaking his arm. Towards the beginning, Jem and Scout were obsessed with Boo Radley, and he finally made his appearance at the end to save both of their lives. The Gray Ghost symbolizing Boo Radley was a fantastic way to end the book, because it emphasized Atticus's lesson of seeing from other people's perspective before you judge them. I thought the way Scout learned this lesson was very effective. She was as close to Boo's perspective of the last three years as she could possibly be, and in doing so, she finally understood Atticus's lesson.
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Jake P. (Oklahoma)
2/28/2013 08:29:13 am
I just finished the book, and I am amazed at the ending. Harper Lee created an ending that had minimal meaning on the surface, but an extremely wonderful and inspiring meaning deep down. Scout standing on the Radley porch reviewing the activities from the past three years completely made the book. She was carrying out Atticus's famous saying, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” She stands on the porch reviewing the past three years, and she sees what it looked like from Boo's point of view. Scout sees how different things can look from other people's point of views. She understands that Boo was like he was for a reason, and she accepts it. I absolutely loved the book, and the ending make me love it so much more.
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Christina Hubbard (OK)
3/1/2013 07:55:13 am
Excatly! Harper Lee ends this book perfectly. The way she describes Mr. Arthur watching from that window and she says that " Boo's children needed him" is so sweet! It lets the reader finally truely understand what Atticus meant when he said to get in someones shoes and walk around in them. The reader finally understands Boo Radley's feelings for the children. The ending for this book is so good that you wish you could keep reading about Scout's life.
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Breonna B. (Oklahoma)
3/2/2013 06:26:05 am
Would there be any symbolism or meaning behind the names of Mayella Ewell and Eula May?
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Derek Edmundson (Oklahoma)
3/2/2013 07:35:26 am
Did anyone else pick up on what the mockingbirds symbolize? I think that they symbolize innocence because the title of the book is To Kill a Mockingbird and the whole story is about Scout and Jem losing their innnocence. Another piece of evidence is when Miss Maudie says that all mockingbirds to is sing their hearts out for people and make them feel better like Jem and Scout do.
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Marilyn C. (OK)
3/3/2013 07:40:02 am
I've never thought of it like that! That's an eye-opener for sure. I definatly agree with you on your discovery. Jem and Scout almost always try to "do unto others" and help them out. They even help each other out often. Mockingbirds are wonderous creatures.
I wonder if that means a mockingbird was killed, because didn't they loose part of their innocence in the end?
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Cameron B. (Oklahoma)
3/3/2013 08:29:58 am
Wow Derek you are right I never really looked like it that away. Jem and Scout are innocent children playing in their front yard at the beginning of the story then at the end of the story they come to the realization of how the world works. So yeah the mockingbird was killed.
Ashley (indiana)
3/3/2013 07:19:57 am
Right now in the book I am up to the part where Cal took Jem and Scout to Church and Cal talks a lot differently. When she talks to her friends at church she starts losing her correct grammar. When she talks at other places she uses correct grammar. I liked how in the book when Cal tells Jem and Scout why she talks differently she says, " Its not ladylike in the second place, folks don't like to have somebody around knowin more than they do. it aggravates them. You're not gonna change any of them by talkin right, they've got to want to learn themselves, and when they don't want to learn there's nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language." I found what she said very interesting, and true.
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Connor (Oklahoma)
3/3/2013 08:35:03 am
To me, Boo Radley is a very confusing character. Harper Lee does not give many details about Boo besides his early childhood life. If these characters are based on Lee's life then I hope Boo is exaggerated. At the end, it almost seems like Boo is insane or crazy. Hiding out for years then decides to go and kill someone. Why isn't Atticus concerned for his own children? I wouldn't trust Boo from what I read.
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Storm (OK)
3/3/2013 11:48:36 am
Well Connor it would be like this: imagine you are forced to stay inside your house for thirty years and all you can do is watch all the other people and kids live their life through a window. All you get to do is observe. What Boo Radley did was exactly that and in the end he protected the kids from Bob Ewell so he is completely safe just socially awkward to a large extent
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Connor (Oklahoma)
3/3/2013 11:56:26 am
The attraction Boo has on the children is confusing. He toys with them for a while and watches them from a far. I do not know if there is a deeper meaning into Boo's story. It was a good story to go along with Tom Robinson and tie into at the end. It provided needed mystery and suspense. Lee brings Boo into the story at the beginning then totally transitions into a different plot. It was almost like two different stories in one novel. Well played, Lee.
Bryce (Indiana)
3/6/2013 12:15:15 am
The only question that I have from this novel is a fairly general question. It is that I don't really get why Scout's aunty came and lived with them. I understand the main point of this but I don't understand what it contributed to the story?
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Kayla IN
3/9/2013 01:28:39 am
I think it showed how much of a contrast there was between Atticus. With out another parent to compare Atticus to, the reader might think that his parenting is relatively normal for the time period. With Scout's aunt joining them, it showed how much different Atticus was raising the kids.
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Linda Ngo (Indiana)
3/11/2013 09:56:29 am
I believe that the aunt was supposed to be more strict with the children, especially Scout. Since she did not have a mother figure in her life, I believe that aunt wanted to fulfill this position and straighten out her personality to become more lady like.
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Katie (Indiana)
3/11/2013 11:16:49 am
I agree with you Bryce. The aunt doesn't really do much that adds to the plot, other than make rules and basically get the kids in trouble. Maybe she is there to just play a role in the family and to add more detail and conflict.
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Rocktim (Indiana)
3/6/2013 09:42:43 am
Does anyone have any questions regarding Mrs. Dubose or the shooting of the rabid dog by Atticus? What do you think was the purpose of Mrs. Dubose and her unfriendly ways? What was the significance of Tim Johnson being shot by Atticus?
Why did Atticus Finch 'look' so deathly. Like after the trial, the book described him as looking deathly ill. WHY?????
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Alexsis(Indiana)
3/10/2013 09:42:10 am
Through out reading this book it makes me wonder why is everyone in this community so racist? Why cant they just except the African Americans in their communtiy? It is really quite sad, because of this a man has gotten accused of a crime that he has not done and was found quilty because he was black.
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Austin W.
3/10/2013 09:55:35 am
While I was reading the novel, this question I stumbled over "Why didn't Boo Radley ever try to contact them before all this happened?" i mean it said he was in his 20's so i don't understand why he chooses now to come out of hiding. Was it because it was the best time and people would accept him for being a hero or just because he felt bad for what the Finch's were going through dealing with the trial?
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Linda Ngo (Indiana)
3/11/2013 09:49:38 am
I must say that Boo Radley has been trying to contact Scout and Jem many times throughout the story. For example, he left items in the trunk of the tree and neatly patched Jem's jeans for him. I believe that it must have been difficult for Boo to reveal himself after hearing many negative comments about him. He had no one that truly trusted him. I think that he came out to help Scout because he felt like that was the time to come out of the shadows and help a child in need.
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Megan B(Indiana)
3/10/2013 11:48:01 am
When I was reading the book I wondered why Boo Radley hadn't ever tried to contact them before this happened? Just as Austin W had. I didn't really understand it. Was it because he just felt it was the right time, did he feel bad for what the Finches were going through?
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Teagan Bowie (indiana)
3/11/2013 07:12:07 am
why do you think that the author made the aunt so disagreeable? I really dislike he, but i think that if I wrote it I would make her an enjoyable mother figure. I think she might have been revealing more about Scout by having the two characters react to each other. They seem like foil characters but I want others opinions,
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Kiana (Indiana)
3/11/2013 08:33:13 am
I love watching characters develop and grow closely knit throughout stories and I loved the way the families became closer.
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Katie (Indiana)
3/11/2013 11:14:30 am
I am still really curious about Boo Radley. He is basically the focus of the book, especially at the beginning. What I don't understand is why he comes out and then just disappears again.
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Ben Schwartz
3/11/2013 11:51:15 am
I read the whole book last semester and even brushed up a bit on it this semester but I never understood one thing. What ever made Boo Radly a shy person? All there ever were was rumors why he didn't come out.
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Hadley Gaff
3/11/2013 12:13:44 pm
I never really understood that either. I think that maybe it was how his father treated him that caused him to want to stay inside, possibly. It wasn't very clear in the book.
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Hadley Gaff
3/11/2013 12:11:55 pm
Because of his sensible personality and well off means, Atticus Finch is beloved by everyone, but he is unable to accept the racism that is so evident in the town that he feels obligated to defend Tom Robinson. How do you think the author utilized his characteristics to enhance the story? I believe he was used as a foil to Bob Ewell. Atticus and Bob brought each other’s characteristics into sharp distinction. What do you think?
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