Characterization Essay

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem and Scout Finch learn many things throughout their told experiences. Bob Ewell, a man that causes many of the situations, teaches the kids one main lesson; how not to behave. With all the raucous Mr. Ewell causes, in the county of Maycomb, many people learned these lessons too. Because Atticus, Jem and Scout's father, was going against him in court with a black man, Tom Robinson, it caused Bob to go even crazier than the townspeople thought and wanted. He came to the point of murder.

           All through the story, there were some major events that occurred, starring Bob Ewell, but the minor ones are important too. Sitting on the stand, waiting to be questioned by both Mr. Gilmer and Atticus, wasn’t the first time the kids really see him; clean. By seeing this, the kids’ first lesson they are taught is a lesson that sinks into their mind unknowingly. The lesson of hygiene.

Also, by noticing the odd way he talked the realized how important their educations is. They learn that going to school, unlike the Ewell children, is the best thing to do for themselves. When Atticus interrogates Bob Ewell’s daughter, Mayella Ewell, the county finds out the family’s shocking secret; Bob Ewell beats his kids. Once Jem and Scout understand this, they’re shocked that someone would ever do that to their child. Which had obviously taught them another lesson on what not to do. Although there were many minor events, the major situations teach even greater lessons.

During the trial, discreet encounters that Bob has with some of the townspeople, and the attack on both Jem and Scout were major situations that had shown many things to the two children on how not to live. During the trial, Mr. Ewell had been asked questions and he answered them with somewhat of an attitude. The kids know better than to talk to an adult like Judge Taylor like that, but this just seals the deal for them not acting like that. After the trial had ended, and Bob’s secret had been let loose, he went on little raves. “It was Miss Stephanie’s pleasure to tell us: this morning Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life.” (pg. 217) This encounter scared Jem and Scout senseless. Also, Bob had snuck up to Judge Taylor’s house and scratched his screen door. Last of all, Bob Ewell trying to kill Jem and Scout had over done it. This obviously taught them not only that killing is bad, but they need to trust their instincts and each other.

Although Bob Ewell had been a very bad, untrustworthy man, Jem and Scout were able to take a few lessons from him before he died. No matter how bad someone can be, another can always benefit from it. Usually, it turns out to be a good thing.

Paige Swindle - Illuminator 12-16

     One of the important events would be when Aunt Alexandra comes to live with them for a while. This is important because it signifies that the kids are growing up and that they are in need of maturing. One of the settings that the author creates that i can see very well in my mind, would be the scene when Dill comes up out from under the bed. She told every little detail as if she had seen it herself. One of the conflicts that occurred was when Jem and Scout got into a fight with each other. it was child vs. child. Atticus is the one who breaks it off, and its like a sibling fight. One of the tones in these chapters, would be discriminating. Its full of violence and hate toward blacks from whites, or vice versa. Also, if Aunt Alexandra were to join us in our Literature Circle, she would take charge, and boss us around and be snooty.
     While talking in our Literature Circle and relating our lives with the book, it made all of us realize how much we take from our background and our parents. We learned how back then how much hatred there was put toward the opposite of the races. Going over the questions, oppinions were thrown, and things were cleared up between us, and we all understood what was going on better. For instance, we got a little confused as to why people weren't very fond of him, but everything became cleared up after a discussion between us.
     Throughout our discussion, I learned how how much friends and family influence us. If we were to change families with someone else, our beliefs and oppinions would be very different from what they are today. Many people don't realize how much of an influence friends are, so they end up hanging with the "cool" group. Then they end up getting into trouble and such because of their friends' influence on them. Also, we realized how much people can get corrupted from everyone having the same oppinion. If you are into something so much, and just one person can go against it, you come to your senses and realize you are doing something wrong. Be sure to keep your head, and don't let someone influence you. You are you, and there is nothing greater than that.

Paige Swindle - Director 6-11

     Throughout chapters 6-11 I found myself thinking about how it was when I grew up and had all the problems with my curiosity and my "words of wisdom." While growing up at this age, Scout is learning many new things about life. However, these "new things" tend to be not so good; as in it being cuss words and bad behaviour. Also, it had seemed that her and Jem were being watched quite alot from Boo Radley. Or so they now presume.
     Two quotes that I had chose: "Just think Scout, if you would have turned around, you would have seen him." -Jem; "Scout's dad defends niggers!" I picked these two quotes because when you think about it, they shows how involved Jem really is with this Boo Radley character. Also, it shows how racist things used to be back then when they would use the "n" word so commonly. Some important ideas would be that Boo is just a kind guy. He really hasn't done anything to harm the kids. Atticus representing a black is also an important event. All of his family goes against it while Jem and Scout don't understand it quite yet. If the author was here, I would ask her if she experienced weird things like this. Like Boo Radley is just a made up fictional character or if she knew someone like him.

     In our literature circle, we went over our questions and such. After that, we all went over how the book is now starting to match up with the title To Kill a Mocking Bird. We also went on about how admire Atticus. While most people in all of the country are against blacks, Atticus stands up for what he believes in and he defends one in court. We all learned that even though people may think against it, don't be afraid to express your opinion.

     To be able to today be able to be colored means something much different from back then. For instance, back then being colored back then meant that you were worthless. Today, many people are best friends with the colored and enjoy their company. Being human means having a heart. It doesn't matter if your Indian, Native American, African American, Chinese or any other type of race. If you feel for others, you are human.

Paige Swindle - Summarizer 1-5

     These chapters start the story off in a setting somewhere around the 1930s. Scout, Jem, or Dill are located in many places but to be specific, scenes mostly take place down Scouts street, in speaking distance from Calpurnia. Around the Radley Place is a common scene they're at as well. School, of course, pops up in there too.
     Some main events that have happened, are basically the ones that take place in all of these settings. These events would include Scout and Jem meeting Dill, and Dill turning on Scout to only hang out with Jem. Another is Scout first starts school in this selection and the teacher gets mad at her for knowing too much already.Burris Ewell walking out at school. Walter Cunningham has also been invited to dinner, and Scout ends up being kicked out of the dining area for being a tad too curious. Also, almost all of the scenes that involved the Radley Place, or just the Radleys in general was an important event. To be more specific, the dare that Jem took on to touch the house, and them sprinting as fast as they could. Them finding the  rare coins in the tree, with the untouched gum. As well as Jem, Dill, and Scout recreating the Radley's rumors in their own little play that only them three know about, along with some suspicions of Atticus. Jem rolling the tire with Scout inside to the Radley Place. Dill and Jem plotting to send Boo Radley a note and pulling Scout along. All of these events were main events to pay attention to.
     These events all symbolize the begginning to many new mysteries. They show who the main characters are, and who many important characters will be. The secondary characters are hinted slowly, but are still incorporated in these chapters.
     Most of these events influence the characters to feel fear toward Boo Radley and the Radley Place. They make the kids watch what they say and do. Which is somewhat opposite of the mood in the story. While reading, you sense a laid back life not to quick, but not too slow either. A nice, calm, and steady pace.
  
     In the Literature Circle, we all basically just read the questions and answers. Many different oppinions were shared, though not in a rude mannor at all. Some different things that I learned from everyone else, is that while we are all reading, we are all unknowingly connecting this story with our childhood. We are all comparing it to our own lifestyle. So in other words, we may be reading the same book, but are all reading it differently.

     While in the Circle, I have learned that to continue and to hold a strong conversation, many ideas and thoughts need to presented. You cannot be bashful about your own oppinions. So throw your oppinions, ideas, and thoughts out there to have and imaginative yet productful Literature Circle!!