Completely unrelated, the lines where Miss Maudie is talking about how it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, as they are in no way a pest, seems to provide foreshadowing, and I believe that maybe someone non-deserving will get into trouble; maybe originating from the stigma against Atticus since he took on a case where he is representing an African American?
Chattahoochee River
Monday, January 25, 2016
To Kill a Mockingbird- Rachel Mrkaich
Over the course of the reading the complex personalities of the characters involved became more and more apparent. Not only did the reader learn more about Boo, but also Atticus, Jem, and Mrs. Dubose. The first chapters seemed to characterize Boo as bad, evil, and amoral, but through the second section I began to feel as if maybe this characterization was misleading and that there was something more to Boo. The "gifts" he left for the kids and his action in placing a blanket around Scout's shoulders during the night of the fire prompts me to believe that he has formed a sort of connection to the kids and does feel in some way protective towards them. Since the reader has had almost no direct "interaction" with Boo there is no way of knowing, but to some extent I feel that since Boo spent most of his childhood locked up in his house due to his father's command Boo wants Scout and Jem to be able to savor their childhood and make the most out of it (explains the gifts). Whether this is the case or not, it is clear that Jem is beginning his journey to adulthood as he begins to become less sporadic and increasingly level headed (besides with Mrs. Dubose,of course). It is almost as if in this section Scout and Jem serve as the antithesis for one another; in comparison to Scout who still sometimes lacks to understand why punching someone in the face is not a reasonable method to solve a problem Jem is resigned and understanding.
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You raise an interesting perspective. Although we simply catch glimpses of Boo, his character is developed in a subtle way. I believe that this gradual exposure to his motives may be a technique on the part of Harper Lee to slowly expose the climax. The idea that Boo is living vicariously through the children is fascinating, but did you account for the fact that he was actually a teenager when he was "locked up." Do you believe that Jem will serve as Scout's foil in the development of the plot?
ReplyDeleteOn the unrelated note, who do you think might "kill the mockingbird", if anyone?
Due to the fact that Boo was still engaging in activities typical of children/adolescents which was, in the end, why he ended up being quarantined to his house I don't believe he was able to mature along the normal path which human beings tend to take. Thus creating a reason for Boo to continue to live vicariously through the kids. As for Scout and Jem I don't know how I feel about him being her foil, because to me it seems like he is growing up which would only enable the maturation of Scout. However, when considering his actions toward Mrs. Dubose perhaps he can influence Scout to act in a more impulsive manner, I guess we'll find out.
DeleteWho will "kill" the mockingbird is an interesting question I hadn't really considered; however now that I do, because the book is so heavily focused on the Finch's perhaps it will be one of them? What do you think?
I agree, but I'd like to say that maybe Harper Lee created The character of Boo to develop Jem and Scouts' characters. Overtime the kids have become open to the compassions of the Radley's and they don't make a scene of their quirky customs. This demonstrates that Jem and Scout are growing up and respecting the differences of the people of Maycomb. They're growing up and opening their eyes to the world.
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