Personal Response
Scout’s experiences reminded me of the times when my sister and I would play “Pretend” and come out with some wild ideas to surprise our parents.
Analyzing Literature – Recall and Interpret
Scout’s, Jem’s and Dill’s feelings for Boo Radley was full of fear and curiosity. They were excited to meet him but also afraid that he would harm them like the stories they had heard about him. Dill and Jem often dared each other to enter the Radley’s premises, only Jem had once taken up the dare and touched Boo Radley’s house.
Scout and Jem found many items in the knot-hole of the Radley tree. They found a ball, soap figures of themselves, chewing gums a spelling medal and a pocket watch on a chain with an aluminum knife. All these gifts were from Boo Radley and it shows that he was a kind person who wanted to make the children happy.
Scout got into a fight with Cecil Jacobs and her cousin Francis because they commented that her father, Atticus, was defending a Negro and she thought they were badmouthing her father. From the comments of Jacobs and Francis, it shows that the community of Maycomb was prejudice against Negros and looked down on them. Scout’s response also shows that she did not believe in racial differences and she was extremely sensitive when someone badmouths her father. It also shows that she one who will fight for justice, probably because of the influence from her lawyer father.
Analyzing Literature – Evaluate and Connect
In both situations of shooting Tim Johnson and defending Tom Robinson, Atticus needed to acquire the courage that none other had to deal with the situations.
Atticus was a very open-minded parent, despite his age. His relationship with his children was not like a father and child relationships, instead it was more like a relationship between friends and companions. He treated his children with respect and did not see a difference in their status. He wanted his children to be fair towards any people and respect everyone. He allowed his children to venture out themselves and he remained by their side to guide them along.