Atticus Finch from 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee is a kind-hearted man. A lawyer who cares for his two children, Jem and Scout. Atticus has lived in Maycomb County for a very long time, and those who live near and far from him in Maycomb respect and care for him. Atticus is a major character in the story since he defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping Mayella Ewell a younger white woman by her and her father Bob Ewell, an alcoholic, abusive farmer. Atticus knows that defending Tom will either make him or brake him into Maycomb, since Maycomb being in Alabama, A state in the South of America thus segregation between Black and Whites being very common.
Throughout the whole of the story Atticus tries to balance his work-personal life balanced. He works hard however he also tries to spend as much time he can with his two children, his eldest, his son Jem, aged 10 and Jem's younger sister Scout, aged six. Atticus consecutively tells Jem and Scout the importance of life and always tells them to treat others how they would like to be treated. There is a quote in the story which I think points out what Atticus is trying to say to Jem and Scout. One day after School Scout returns home angry and frustrated because of the actions of a classmate of hers, Atticus tells her to take a look through someone else's eyes by telling her "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." The purpose of Atticus telling Scout that was because he was trying to tell her that if she took it from her classmates point of view she would see the situation differently than from what she saw.
Atticus is not your everyday Southern American, he is an Idealist someone who thinks about change and how things could change for the better. Atticus is not a racist, very few in Maycomb County are not-racist however the remainder of those in Maycomb County treat the Black Population as second-classed citizens not given them a chance to speak. In the book, Tom Robinson, a poor Black man has been accused of raping Mayella Ewell a younger white woman by her father, Robert Ewell. As the story progresses it is obvious that Tom is innocent of his crimes, and during the trial Atticus tells the jury that they should see past Tom's skin and look at the point of justice in this case. There is one point of the Court scene where Atticus expresses his views of racism and his want of change in Maycomb, Atticus tells the jury "On the assumption... the evil assumption... that all Negroes lie, all Negroes are basically immoralbeings, all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women. An assumption that one associates with minds of their caliber, and which is, in itself, gentlemen, a lie, which I do not need to point out to you. And so, a quiet, humble, respectable Negro, who has had the unmitigated temerity... to feel sorry for a white woman, has had to put his word against two white people's. The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is."This shows what Atticus thinks of the struggle that the Black people have to live and how the white population automatically judge the blacks by the colour of their skin.
Wednesday 22 June 2011
Thursday 19 May 2011
Eight Ways to Reveal a Character - Miss Aitcheson (You are now entering the Human Heart)
Actions
Miss Aitcheson decides to take her class to the Museum to explore what is within. While inside she takes her class to the snake exhibit in the museum, the tour guide decides to take a snake out of its cage and give it to Miss Aitcheson, trying to keep her cool Miss Aitcheson just sucks it in and deals with the snake being around her neck. The snake continues to slide around her neck, but then Miss Aitcheson sees the snake approach her face, she throws the snake to the ground and runs off, she runs to the closest chair and collapses in it.
Dialogue
Miss Aitcheson's only dialogue is "No I'm not afraid. Of course not." however she said this sentence in a somewhat anxious tone, proving that while the snake was on her neck she was nervous.
Physical Description
Miss Aitcheson decides to take her class to the Museum to explore what is within. While inside she takes her class to the snake exhibit in the museum, the tour guide decides to take a snake out of its cage and give it to Miss Aitcheson, trying to keep her cool Miss Aitcheson just sucks it in and deals with the snake being around her neck. The snake continues to slide around her neck, but then Miss Aitcheson sees the snake approach her face, she throws the snake to the ground and runs off, she runs to the closest chair and collapses in it.
Dialogue
Miss Aitcheson's only dialogue is "No I'm not afraid. Of course not." however she said this sentence in a somewhat anxious tone, proving that while the snake was on her neck she was nervous.
Physical Description
Eight Ways to Reveal a Character - Miss Aitcheson (You are now entering the Human Heart)
Actions
Miss Aitcheson decides to take her class to the Museum to explore what is within. While inside she takes her class to the snake exhibit in the museum, the tour guide decides to take a snake out of its cage and give it to Miss Aitcheson, trying to keep her cool Miss Aitcheson just sucks it in and deals with the snake being around her neck. The snake continues to slide around her neck, but then Miss Aitcheson sees the snake approach her face, she throws the snake to the ground and runs off, she runs to the closest chair and collapses in it.
Dialogue
Miss Aitcheson's only dialogue is "No I'm not afraid. Of course not." however she said this sentence in a somewhat anxious tone, proving that while the snake was on her neck she was nervous.
Physical Description
Miss Aitcheson decides to take her class to the Museum to explore what is within. While inside she takes her class to the snake exhibit in the museum, the tour guide decides to take a snake out of its cage and give it to Miss Aitcheson, trying to keep her cool Miss Aitcheson just sucks it in and deals with the snake being around her neck. The snake continues to slide around her neck, but then Miss Aitcheson sees the snake approach her face, she throws the snake to the ground and runs off, she runs to the closest chair and collapses in it.
Dialogue
Miss Aitcheson's only dialogue is "No I'm not afraid. Of course not." however she said this sentence in a somewhat anxious tone, proving that while the snake was on her neck she was nervous.
Physical Description
Tuesday 17 May 2011
Independent Reading Guide - You Are Now Entering the Human Heart
Story Title - You Are Now Entering the Human Heart
Author - Janet Frame
Elements of the Short Story
1. Who is the Protagonist - the main character - in the story?
The Narrator, the person who we follow through the story.
2. What Challenge or conflict does the Protagonist encounter?
The Challenge that the Protagonist faces is that when the Narrator arrives at the train station she realises she has a hour to waste till her train arrives.
3. How is the Conflict Resolved?
The Narrator decides to waste her time by going to the local Museum and she takes particular interest in the Human Heart Exhibit.
4. What other Important Characters are involved in the conflict?
The other characters in the conflict is a teacher who is taking her class around the Museum, Miss Aitcheson. The other character is the tour guide who takes the class around the Museum.
5. What kind of of person is the Protagonist?
The Narrator is quite a quiet person, she doesn't like to make loud noises or create a problem for others.
6. What Evidence in the story leads me to this opinion of the protagonist?
When the Snake is placed around the Narrator she doesn't scream immediately and run off, she takes it and just waits for it to be removed, however when the snake tries to attack her she does run off and tries to defend herself from the snake.
7. Where does the story take place?
The city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania in USA.
8. How would I describe the mood? How does the author establish this mood?
The mood is quite gloomy, there is really no resolution to the whole story, no resolution no major conflict, the story is just a bit dull.
9. Summarize the theme or central idea of this short story?
The theme of the story is that do not always believe things that people tell you, even professional's.
10. Is there a sentence or short passage that states or strongly implies the idea of this theme?
"This is a Common Grass snake. No harm, no harm at all." This comment is said by Miss Aitcheson, the tour guide. She said to our Narrator that everything will be okay.
11. The Characters and dialogue are believable and the plot engages my interest?
Fair
12. This story is written in a style that is clear and interesting?
Fair.
13. This story helps me understand people and events
Weak
14. The details in this story could be easily visualized as I read?
Fair
15. Overall I rate this story as
Fair
Author - Janet Frame
Elements of the Short Story
1. Who is the Protagonist - the main character - in the story?
The Narrator, the person who we follow through the story.
2. What Challenge or conflict does the Protagonist encounter?
The Challenge that the Protagonist faces is that when the Narrator arrives at the train station she realises she has a hour to waste till her train arrives.
3. How is the Conflict Resolved?
The Narrator decides to waste her time by going to the local Museum and she takes particular interest in the Human Heart Exhibit.
4. What other Important Characters are involved in the conflict?
The other characters in the conflict is a teacher who is taking her class around the Museum, Miss Aitcheson. The other character is the tour guide who takes the class around the Museum.
5. What kind of of person is the Protagonist?
The Narrator is quite a quiet person, she doesn't like to make loud noises or create a problem for others.
6. What Evidence in the story leads me to this opinion of the protagonist?
When the Snake is placed around the Narrator she doesn't scream immediately and run off, she takes it and just waits for it to be removed, however when the snake tries to attack her she does run off and tries to defend herself from the snake.
7. Where does the story take place?
The city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania in USA.
8. How would I describe the mood? How does the author establish this mood?
The mood is quite gloomy, there is really no resolution to the whole story, no resolution no major conflict, the story is just a bit dull.
9. Summarize the theme or central idea of this short story?
The theme of the story is that do not always believe things that people tell you, even professional's.
10. Is there a sentence or short passage that states or strongly implies the idea of this theme?
"This is a Common Grass snake. No harm, no harm at all." This comment is said by Miss Aitcheson, the tour guide. She said to our Narrator that everything will be okay.
11. The Characters and dialogue are believable and the plot engages my interest?
Fair
12. This story is written in a style that is clear and interesting?
Fair.
13. This story helps me understand people and events
Weak
14. The details in this story could be easily visualized as I read?
Fair
15. Overall I rate this story as
Fair
Friday 29 April 2011
To Kill A Mockingbird - Chapter 2
Chapter 2 :
As the summer comes to an end, Dill leaves to go back to his home in Meridian. It is now time for both Jem and Scout to go to school, however this is Scout's first time and she is quite excited to see what school life is like.
When Scout starts her new school she is given Ms Fisher as her new teacher, but thinks don't go off well for Scout quickly. Even before the morning was over, Scout was told to come up to the front of the classroom to be smacked over the hand with a ruler, then was made to stand in the corner until noon. Scout's idea of school was fading very fast.
As the day goes on, Ms Fisher is surprised that Scout is able to read, but tells Scout that Atticus should stop teaching her since it would interfere with her learning. Annoyed by this she rushes to tell Jem later in the day, he said that Ms Fisher is teaching a new way of learning called The Dewey Decimal System and Atticus' old way of reading would mess learning up for Scout. Frustrated Scout begins to write a letter in class to Dill whom she has been missing a lot, Ms Fisher notices and takes the letter away from her saying that writing is for years to come.
Scout is then released for lunch, she realizes one of her classmates Walter Cunningham has not brought money or lunch for today, Ms Fisher notices and offers him a quarter to buy his lunch, however he refuses the donation. Scout then decides to tell Ms Fisher that Walter lives in a poor household with many family members living with him and that the family has to pay off things with goods. This angers Ms Fisher and once more Scout is smacked with a ruler and sent to the back off the class.
As the summer comes to an end, Dill leaves to go back to his home in Meridian. It is now time for both Jem and Scout to go to school, however this is Scout's first time and she is quite excited to see what school life is like.
When Scout starts her new school she is given Ms Fisher as her new teacher, but thinks don't go off well for Scout quickly. Even before the morning was over, Scout was told to come up to the front of the classroom to be smacked over the hand with a ruler, then was made to stand in the corner until noon. Scout's idea of school was fading very fast.
As the day goes on, Ms Fisher is surprised that Scout is able to read, but tells Scout that Atticus should stop teaching her since it would interfere with her learning. Annoyed by this she rushes to tell Jem later in the day, he said that Ms Fisher is teaching a new way of learning called The Dewey Decimal System and Atticus' old way of reading would mess learning up for Scout. Frustrated Scout begins to write a letter in class to Dill whom she has been missing a lot, Ms Fisher notices and takes the letter away from her saying that writing is for years to come.
Scout is then released for lunch, she realizes one of her classmates Walter Cunningham has not brought money or lunch for today, Ms Fisher notices and offers him a quarter to buy his lunch, however he refuses the donation. Scout then decides to tell Ms Fisher that Walter lives in a poor household with many family members living with him and that the family has to pay off things with goods. This angers Ms Fisher and once more Scout is smacked with a ruler and sent to the back off the class.
To Kill A Mockingbird - Chapter 1
Chapter 1 :
Scout Finch grew up in a small, tired town of Maycomb found in the state of Alabama. Now an adult she begins reminiscing about a very interesting part of her childhood which involved her, her brother Jem and father Atticus. Atticus is a successful lawyer and a well-known and respected person around the town.
Scout introduces the story by recalling the time that Jem broke his arm, he was nearly thirteen at the time. When enough years after the incident had past, she and her brother could look back to the events that lead to Jem braking his arm. She starts telling the events that lead to Jem's arm being broken, and she decides to start right at the beginning of the tale.
As the story begins, summer has just started. At this time, Scout was six and Jem was ten. While looking into the neighbor's garden patch they notice a small boy laying amongst the vegetables, he introduces himself as Dill. The three children become best friends, after they discover that Dill had seen the horror film 'Dracula'.
As the summer progresses, Scout, Jem and Dill become urged to get their Neighbour, Boo Radley to come out of his home, since legend has said that Boo never leaves his house. Most of the town's crimes have been blamed on Boo because when Boo was younger he was charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, assault and using profanity in the company of a female. After Boo was arrested, neighbours on the street began calling Boo insane and requested that he was taken to a mental asylum, however Boo's father refused that they send his son to an asylum and instead locked him away in his home. When Boo's father died, his brother looked after him, till then Boo has never left his home.
Scout Finch grew up in a small, tired town of Maycomb found in the state of Alabama. Now an adult she begins reminiscing about a very interesting part of her childhood which involved her, her brother Jem and father Atticus. Atticus is a successful lawyer and a well-known and respected person around the town.
Scout introduces the story by recalling the time that Jem broke his arm, he was nearly thirteen at the time. When enough years after the incident had past, she and her brother could look back to the events that lead to Jem braking his arm. She starts telling the events that lead to Jem's arm being broken, and she decides to start right at the beginning of the tale.
As the story begins, summer has just started. At this time, Scout was six and Jem was ten. While looking into the neighbor's garden patch they notice a small boy laying amongst the vegetables, he introduces himself as Dill. The three children become best friends, after they discover that Dill had seen the horror film 'Dracula'.
As the summer progresses, Scout, Jem and Dill become urged to get their Neighbour, Boo Radley to come out of his home, since legend has said that Boo never leaves his house. Most of the town's crimes have been blamed on Boo because when Boo was younger he was charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, assault and using profanity in the company of a female. After Boo was arrested, neighbours on the street began calling Boo insane and requested that he was taken to a mental asylum, however Boo's father refused that they send his son to an asylum and instead locked him away in his home. When Boo's father died, his brother looked after him, till then Boo has never left his home.
Sunday 3 April 2011
Superman and Paula Brown's New Snowsuit - Independent Reading Guide
Story Title - Superman and Paula Brown's New Snowsuit.
Author - Sylvia Plath
This Story was - Assigned
This Story was found in the - Textbook
Elements of the Short Story
1) Who is the Protagonist? - The Narrator (Whose Actual Name is not mentioned)
2) What challenge or conflict does the Protagonist encounter? - The Narrator picks up a little argument with Paula Brown after Paula claimed that the Narrator ruined her new snowsuit by slipping on a slick of oil.
3) How is the conflict resolved? - The conflict is not resolved, however it is ended by the Narrator running away from Paula and her friends.
4) What other important characters are involved in the conflict? - Paula Brown. Paula is a popular girl who lives down the Narrator's street. The Narrator was invited to Paula's Birthday.
5) What kind of person is the Protagonist? - The Narrator is a little girl whose stuck in a big world. She seems like a nice, likable person who is friendly to all.
6) What Evidence in the story leads me to this opinion of the Protagonist? -
Author - Sylvia Plath
This Story was - Assigned
This Story was found in the - Textbook
Elements of the Short Story
1) Who is the Protagonist? - The Narrator (Whose Actual Name is not mentioned)
2) What challenge or conflict does the Protagonist encounter? - The Narrator picks up a little argument with Paula Brown after Paula claimed that the Narrator ruined her new snowsuit by slipping on a slick of oil.
3) How is the conflict resolved? - The conflict is not resolved, however it is ended by the Narrator running away from Paula and her friends.
4) What other important characters are involved in the conflict? - Paula Brown. Paula is a popular girl who lives down the Narrator's street. The Narrator was invited to Paula's Birthday.
5) What kind of person is the Protagonist? - The Narrator is a little girl whose stuck in a big world. She seems like a nice, likable person who is friendly to all.
6) What Evidence in the story leads me to this opinion of the Protagonist? -
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