To Kill a Mockingbird

March 25, 2011

Author's note: We were assigned to do a summative piece  for To Kill a Mockingbird.  My piece is based off of discrimination and equality since that was a part of Maycomb's environment and a large theme.  As I wrote this, I decided to include an essay response and a poem.  I would like to include some syntactic devices in my response.  I am also trying to keep this balanced and use better vocabulary. 

It was in Maycomb, Alabama, the mid-nineteen hundreds, when people of other race were still discriminated against.  African Americans especially were the ones who got most of the beating.  Atticus was defending Tom Robinson, an African American man.  With an all white jury Atticus could not have won, no one could have if defending someone of different race.  No one would bother to listen or care about Tom's side of the story.  

Inequality is not right.  It is not fair to be treated negatively just because they look different, talk different, or act different.  Anyone helping or even talking to an African American could have been shunned.  Since Atticus was defending Tom, he was called a "nigger-lover".  I felt most sympathy for those when Tom Robinson was shot so many times to death.  Even though he was attempting to escape from prison, they should not have shot him to his death. 

Inequality and segregation would not help our world.  No matter who the person is they should be treated fairly.  I am relieved that most of that is behind today. 


Equality

Definition: the state or quality of being equal

Not to have discrimination
Not to have special treatment
Not to have more power

Respect for another
No matter who they are
Listening, accepting that person
No matter what they say

Like circles
No one has more
No one has less
All equal

Where ever they are from
What ever they look like
How ever they speak
Treat them how you want to be treated
Give them a chance 

Equality will
Reshape what people think
Give others a chance
Make this world great

March 16, 2011

Author's Note: I decided to try something new, take a risk, with my response so I am doing a stream of consciousness-like turned poem on a character.  I chose Scout because I can relate to her more than any other character and I think she is a very great and unique character.  In my poem I am trying to use some syntactic devices.  I also am trying to be descriptive as possible when describing her and her hard life. 

Scout
Young, unique, strong
Has tomboyish ways
Ups and downs
Through school, through family, through life

People beg her to change 
Become lady-like
Become proper
Become someone she is not
Perfect the way she is 

Fighter, beginning to end 
She won't give up
Her best solution
Winner

Intelligent, doesn't recall learning
Yet school is tough
Teachers cruel
Classmates criticize
Still has some good friends

Thankfully, those who listen, care and love
Father humble
Brother understanding
Friend always there
Spending time with them
Giving all her love

Special, smart, admiring
Perfect, her own way
Nothing should change
She is Scout

March 10, 2011

Author's Note: We are now doing regular responses to our books and posting them on our blogs.  We got to choose what our response is on and I decided to do mine on enjoying the time you have with someone because someday they might not be there.  I also would like to incorporate more advanced vocabulary.  I first summarized the scene a little bit and then I put my thoughts into it. 

The ones you love might not always be there so enjoy the time with them while you can.  That is was I had thought about when reading about Mrs. Dubose, the grouchy lady down the street.  Jem and Scout have never imagined of getting close to Mrs. Dubose.  She had constantly ragged on Jem and Scout about their whereabouts and personalities.  They have heard crazy stories like she carries a pistol under her shawl.  Then Atticus had Jem and Scout go to Mrs. Dubose's house daily and read to her for two hours because they dirtied Mrs. Dubose's garden .  The two of them did that for a couple months.

As the new year began Jem and Scout hadn't read to Mrs. Dubose as frequently.  They also didn't see her sitting on her porch either.  They even questioned if anything was wrong, but she hadn't answered.  Atticus finally tells them that Mrs. Dubose has been sick.  Sadly Mrs. Dubose passed away not long after.   Why hadn't Atticus told them sooner?  Now that she is gone Jem and Scout cannot read or spend time with her.

Everyday someone ignores, argues, or fights with somebody else not knowing that the person could be going through hard times or they're ill.  Before they know it they start spending a lot of time with them, like Jem and Scout did, and become comfortable with each other.  Despairingly, it's too late.  They're gone and you know that you won't see them again.  We all have to remember that no one will be there forever.  Sometimes we just don't notice things behind hatred or fright.
Spend quality time with someone while you can because someday they might not be there.  

March 2, 2011

Author's Note: This is my response to chapters 7,8,9. The response topic is at the top of the page. In the first paragraph, I introduced the characters a little bit. And then I did more on Scout and Jem's family. Last, was relating the book to my life. I wanted to make this post something that is easy to understand and possibly something to think about.

Scout and Jem look forward to a visit from Uncle Jack other than Aunt Alexandra and Aunt Francis more. Uncle Jack can is a friendly person who looks forward to seeing Scout and Jem. To him it doesn't matter who Jem and Scout are, he lets them be themselves. Whereas Aunt Alexandra and Francis want them to change especially Scout because they want her to be more girly, wear dress, and on. They are nothing like their brothers and are strict when they want to change Scout.

Scout and Jem could look forward to seeing their Uncle Jack because their uncle wants to see them too. Uncle Jack is kind and respects the kids for who they are. If I took Scout place and had to be pushed around by her aunts I wouldn't want to look forward to seeing them. A person should be who they want to be and not who someone else wants them to be. We are individuals and unique in our own ways.

Their experience with their relatives does remind me of my extended family sometimes. I get annoyed occasionally when my aunts comment on what I do... even eating. They also compare me to other people in my family and can be unfair at times too. My family can also be very encouraging, supportive, and helpful when I do well, get injured, or just need someone there. Even though I can have ups and downs with family I still love them and they care for me too.

Every family will have some conflicts, but we all have to remember that no matter what they care for you and maybe that's why they want to change some things.

February 22, 2011

Author's Note: We started a new book called To Kill a Mockingbird  by Harper Lee.  This is our first response to it.  We had a choice of different prompts to choose from, this is mine: Pick a character that evokes a reaction from you so far, and discuss your opinion of that character.  I am working on balance with text evidence and my own.  I also want to increase my vocabulary a little bit more. 

Everybody has a fear.  Everybody has courage and willpower even if they don't notice it.   Jem Finch, Scout's older brother, evokes a larger reaction so far in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.  He contrasts from the others because of his courage and willpower. 

Boo Radley may frighten him, and everyone else, but Jem will overcome his fear to go to the Radley house.  In Maycomb, to go up to the Radley house you must be ambitious and daring.  When no one would touch the Radley house, Jem did.  In addition, Jem is a curious guy.  Boo is the one person that Jem really wants to see.  Dill, a boy who spends the summer with Miss Rachel, becomes friends with Scout and Jem.  He uses his creativity to plot out schemes and plans to get Boo to show himself.  Yet Jem is the one to take action for them because he desires to see Boo very much. 

Jem Finch evokes a great reaction due to his fortitude, willpower, and eagerness to see Boo Radley.

13 comments:

  1. I liked hearing your view on Mrs. Dubose, I think you could have gone further into her character though. I absolutely loved your line "constantly ragged on Jem and Scout about their whereabouts and personalities" your word choice in this piece was great!

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  2. I agree with your thoughts on the book. I think Scout and Jem suspected that Ms.Dubose was sick but they didn't know how close she was to dieing. You did have pretty good vocabulary in the piece, so good job.

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  3. I thought it was a very nice piece. It had great vocabulary and I think what you said is something everyone should remember. Great Job!!

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  4. March 11/12:

    I really liked your response, the way that you captured the idea of not knowing what you have until it is gone. The question that you asked in the second paragraph really brought out some thoughts. Why didn't Atticus tell them sooner? I feel like sometimes Atticus is too quiet and to himself. Hopefully we will figure out some more about Atticus's quiet behavior later...
    Good job!

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  5. I think you're right. My grandpa died in October. We had always got along, but I can imagine not getting along and then he'd be gone.

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  6. This is a comment to your poem. I think you did a good job of describing Scout and her life, I am not so into poetry so I don't have much else to say about it, good job.

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  7. Great job! You took a risk, and did a really good job. I loved your poem, it flowed and was very interesting to read. You had some key points in the poem, which I liked. Next time for an idea, maybe post your stream of consciousness also, because then we can catch what you are feeling, and be better prepared to read it. Great job!

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  8. I thought it was a great poem. Really descriptive about her life and friends and family. I don't know to much poems, so is all I have to say.

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  9. I liked the way you incorporated syntactic devices into your poem, the layout was really nice. I also liked how you talked about her family too! At first it confused me but then I realized that it was how she saw her family. Really nice job!

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  10. Nice poem. I am not very good at poems. You thought of all the characteristics about Scout.

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  11. I love the poem and the piece where you actually summarize a bit, and then add your own thoughts. I would look to strengthen your author's notes by adding specifics, and to be sure you become familiar with those elements you are trying to incorporate by name. Awesome job of taking risk! I'm proud of you.

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  12. Response to your end piece to Mockingbird:
    I love how you decided to split the writing into two different forms, each with its own purpose. The essay bit was good, but I would have liked more of a real introduction, and the chance to hear some more detail about the point you wanted to make, like using text evidence to support where you saw this in the story. The poem is also very cool. I especially loved the use of the circle image, and would say that you could have gone further with that, expanding on the circle as an extended metaphor through the length of the poem.

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  13. Looking over these collective pieces as a whole, you are showing your versatility as a writer, and that is absolutely awesome. I love what you have done here, and how you continue to push yourself forward, never settling for "good enough". Admirable!

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