Reading Response #4

When Atticus yells at scout “ I don't want you to remember it. forget it.” he is telling her that he does not what her to know what is happening that is making him so Aggressive and Confrontational he is adding to the conflict and making it harder for scout to make Informed decisions (Lee 152). One thing Atticus does to lessen the Conflict is What a bunch of men come to the house And tell him something then he tells his kids that they have moved his client to the county jail clueing the kids into how serious this case really is. This tells me that Atticus is trying to protect his kids from the seriousness of the real world and at the same time try to prepare them for it.

“‘Don’t you worry about anything,’ he said. ‘It’s not time to worry.’” (Lee 152)

“Until my father explained it to me later, I did not understand the subtlety of Tom’s predicament: he would not have dared strike a white woman under any circumstances and expect to live long, so he took the first opportunity to run—a sure sign of guilt” (Lee 221)

The difference between Atticus’ behavior in these quotes is if he wanted his kids to know everything that was really happening with Tom Robinson or not. When he says not to worry, he doesn’t want them to know, but in the second quote, he finally tells them what happened. The purpose of this was to make sure Scout and Jem didn’t get themselves involved with it, Atticus wanted to protect them as much as he good. This helps me better understand how this town functions because it normalizes not letting children know what is going on, and tells us how if black people are accused of anything they automatically have a disadvantage. 

“‘You know the court appointed him to defend this nigger’. ‘Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like about it.’” (Lee, 186)

“‘You have a daughter to think of. You have a daughter who’s growing up.’ ‘Thats what I’m thinking of.’ …. ‘Shes a faithful member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are.’” (Lee, 155).

In the first quote, some townsfolks are talking about the case. In the second, Alexandra and Atticus are arguing about Calpurnia after Jem and Scout go to her church. But Atticus defends Calpurnia’s stay after Aunt Alexandra urges her to leave. The townsfolks and Atticus both have opposing views toward colored people. Atticus’ motivation comes from his case. He sees the normal side of colored folks that Maycomb thinks is weird. Whereas the townsfolks in the court are pursued by their peers and the ideas of society. Atticus knows his children very well. He knows they will both do anything to support their father. Because of this knowledge, he says ahead of time for Scout to start using her head instead of fists, because he knows conflicts will break out. The townsfolks don’t know Jem and Scout and not of their relationship with Atticus. Because of this, there was no conflict between the children. The more people know that Atticus is their father, the more conflicts the kids will be brought into. This helps me better understand how Maycomb is a very Southern ideal town. Like the Cunninghams being farmers, they rely on slaves, a very good way to harvest crops at the time. But the town has no respect for them because of the color of their skin.

“Just what did he do, Cal?’ Calpurnia sighed. ‘Old Mr. Bob Elwell accused him of rapin’ his girl an’ had him arrested an’ put in jail–” (Lee 164)

“It’s not necessary to tell all you know. It’s not lady-like– in the second place, folks don’t like to have somebody around knowin’ more than they do. It aggravates’ em.” (Lee 167)

Calpurnia in these quotes are talking to Scout about the Tom Robinson case. Atticus is fighting with Tom Robinson and trying to get him free to show his support for equality. In the first quote Calpurnia is explaining to Scout about what is happening in the case and it is helping her build a better understanding. Exceeds: This contradicts with the other quote and she completely limits her understanding. She just discriminates and says it’s not “lady-like” to make comments and try to make things right. This is just breaking her understanding and not helping her know what is happening in the case.

“In ones and twos, men got out of the cars. Shadows became substance as lights revealed solid shapes moving toward the jail door. Atticus remained where he was. The men hid him from view. ‘He in there, Mr. Finch?’ a man said. ‘He is,’ we heard Atticus answer, ‘and he’s asleep. Don’t wake him up.’ In obedience to my father, there followed what I later realized was a sickeningly comic aspect of an unfunny situation: the men talked in near-whispers. ‘You know what we want,’...This was the second time I heard Atticus ask that question in two days, and it meant somebody’s man would get jumped. This was too good to miss. I broke away from Jem and ran as fast as I could to Atticus” (Lee 202).

This moment is an example of how an adult/adults added to the conflict in the town. Although Scout knew what was occurring, I don’t believe she recognized that Atticus was not the one that the men were intending to harm, but rather, Tom Robinson. The difference between Atticus and the group of men is that Atticus is defending Tom Robinson rather than feeding into the racist actions and remarks of members of the community.

“Atticus said nothing. I looked around and up at Mr. Cunningham, whose face was equally impassive. Then he did a peculiar thing. He squatted down and took me by both shoulders. ‘I’ll tell him you said hey, little lady,’ he said. Then he straightened up and waved a big paw. ‘Let’s clear out,’ he called. ‘Let’s get going, boys.’ As they had come, in ones and twos the men shuffled back to their ramshackle cars. Doors slammed, engines coughed, and they were gone” (Lee 206). 

 I believe that Atticus is hiding some aspects of the trial from his children, although the children are adamant about discovering the purpose behind the trial. The other men, such as Mr. Cunningham, seem sympathetic toward the children because they appear to be defending their father and don't have a sense of the severity of the conflict. I believe that the town functions around influence and many values of children seem to be passed down through the generations, and free will and opposite opinions seem to be frowned upon.

Scout is confused after a conversation with Calpurnia and asks what rape is. Cal doesn’t tell her and instead tells her to ask Atticus. Scout is, later on, able to ask Atticus what it means. “‘What’s rape?’ I asked him that night. Atticus looked around from behind his paper..He sighed, and said rape was carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent” (Lee 154). Because Atticus told Scout what rape was she was finally able to understand more of everything that was going on in their town. “...’ Don’t go to him,’ he said, ‘he might not like it. He’s all right, let’s go home. I just wanted to see where he was’” (Lee 171). In this scene, Atticus is hiding where he was going to be from the kids making them want to follow him and see where he was going. This prevents the kids from being able to understand what is happening because they know it’s something to do with the case but he wouldn’t tell them what it was. Atticus doesn’t have a problem answering Scout's questions but there are some things that he is hiding from both her and Jem that he won’t tell them about the case. This helps me better understand that some people in the town are willing to inform people and don’t seem to think twice about some things, and then there are other people who are conscious about the things that may be happening in the town along with showing that not everyone on the town is who Scout and Jem may think they are.

“‘...what’s rape, Cal?’ ‘It’s somethin’ you’ll have to ask Mr. Finch about,’ she said.” (Lee 141)

“He sighed, and said rape was carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent.” (Lee 154)

Cal shows that the adults are avoiding telling the childern what rape is about because it’s such a hard and touchy topic, and it’s also not something to tell children. This also shows how hard this court case is with the title of a rapist and Tom is black. Cal gives the children little to nothing about the court’s case, the whole reason why Tom is there in the first place. 

Atticus is getting rid of Scout’s confusion on what rape means by explaining to her. This helps her understand more of Tom’s court case because now she knows why Tom is in there and the whole reason why they’re having this court case. Atticus doesn’t necessarily want her involved but I think he knows it’s important to discuss it, and share some knowledge with his children because there’s no escaping it. The 2 characters handled it differently because while Cal avoided the subject and didn’t give a direct answer, Atticus gave Scout a direct answer in a polite manner with good definition.

In chapter 13 Atticus is trying to change things around with the way Jem and Scout act he says “ You are the product of several generations-gentle breeding… you should try to live up to your name.” (Lee 151) Aunt Alexandra tells Atticus that they need to change and he saw that too so he is kind of changing the way he thinks for other people because he did not think that before he only cared about his kids being happy now they have big expectations. Alexandria was the big aggravator in this scene; it was her suggestion that they change. Jem and Scout don't take it very well and Scout starts crying because she doesn’t know what she is doing wrong and why she is trying to be changed by her own father. 

“Alexandria, Calpurnia’s not leaving this house until she wants to”(Lee 155). In this situation Alexandria is upset that Jem and Scout went to church with Cal and she doesn’t want them around her, she thinks she is a bad influence and will steer the kids wrong (Racially motivated). So she suggests to Atticus that Cal should no longer be around anymore. Atticus this time stands up and tells her no because she is a good influence on the kids, a huge help around the house, and most of all part of the family. Scout and Jem were confused about what the big issue was going to church with Cal and upset that Alexandria got so mad. Atticus this time does better to show his opinion knowing right from wrong setting a good example for the kids.

“Its something youll have to ask Mr.Finch about” (lee 141) cal directly not telling them about rape.

 "carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent" Atticus defining rape for scout 

The difference between the adults is that Cal purposely didn't tell Scout anything because she thought Scout wasn't aware of what had happened and that motivated her not to tell scout. Where as Atticus decided to define rape withought exactly telling her the context, he knew she wasnt aware of sexual related things so he defined it in a way that still made sense but didnt involve that topic. What motivated atticus to define rape was it was his daughter and he felt it was required to feed the curiosity but not scar scout. Overall shows that the town doesn't like explaining those topics to small children because they feel as if they are too young to know and understand.

“ What's rape, Cal?’ ‘It’s something you'll have to ask Mr. Finch about,” (Lee 141)

“He sighed, and said rape is the carnal knowledge of a female by force without consent.” (Lee 154)

The difference between Atticus and Cal is that cal doesn't want to tell Scout much about the trial because she doesn't know how much she knows and she also doesn't know what Atticus has and hasn't told Scout, but Atticus is her father so he doesn't mind telling her these things because that's his child and he knows how much she knows about the trial because she pretty much tells him everything. I think what makes Cal not tell scout what rape is, is because she doesn't know how much Atticus wants Scout to know, while Atticus knows how smart Scout is and that she’ll find out eventually so he just tells her. This helps me better understand how the town works because some parents don't want to get their kids involved while other parents don't care what their kids do and tell them everything. Atticus does both but he knows his kids well enough to know what they will do in certain situations. 

“What's rape, Cal?’ ‘It’s something you’ll have to ask Mr. Finch about,”(Lee 141). 

“He sighed and said rape is the carnal knowledge of a female by force without consent” (Lee 154). 

The difference between the two characters is that Cal denies Scout the answer she craves because Cal doesn't believe she should be the one to explain it to Scout. Scout, later on, asks Atticus about it and explains it to Scout.  Atticus knows that Scout is an intelligent girl and gives her the knowledge she seeks. This helps me understand the town better because it shows that different people have different opinions on what kind of knowledge children should know.

“what’s rape, Cal?’ ‘It’s somethin’ you’ll have to ask Mr. Finch about,’ she said.” (Lee 141)

Even though scout is realy curious and wants to know things cal decides not to tell here what it is  

“He sighed, and said rape is the carnal knowledge of a female by force without consent.” (Lee 154) Atticus actually decides to tell scout what it is but he uses terms that wont scar her and she would understand. This helps show the difference between atticus and the rest of the town. The people of the town dont wont to tell the kids about it no matter how curious they are but atticus will tell his kids about anything they have questions on even if they might not be of age to her the answers. 

“‘What’s rape?’I asked him that night…He sighed, he said rape was carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent.”(Lee,154)

“‘Well if that’s all it is why did Calpurnia dry me up when I asked her what it was?’ Atticus looked pensive. ‘What’s that again?’ ‘Well I asked Calpurnia comin’ from church that day what it was and she said ask you but I forgot to and now i’m askin’ you.’”(Lee,154)

When Scout had asked Cal about what rape was instead of telling her she had told her to ask Atticus about it, which prolonged the confusion for Scout of what the whole case even was about. Atticus told her what it was so she understood better and the confusion wasn’t there anymore. Cal should have just told Scout what rape was but decided not to.

Heck Tate and some others from town come to tell Atticus Tom Robinson is being moved to the jail and he should expect trouble. Jem watches from the window thinking that they were a mob coming to hurt Atticus. He explains to him that there are no mobs in Maycomb. “‘No we don't have mobs and that nonsense in Maycomb. I've never heard of a gang in Maycomb’” (Lee, 167). Atticus probably said this to Jem to ease his mind about the building conflict. While it did ease Jem's mind, Atticus knew that something might happen to him. He prepared to protect Tom Robinson at the jail despite telling Jem there would be no mob. His intention was good and likely meant to keep the children away from further confrontation. That didn't stop them from following him into town later, probably less scared than they should have been. 

The day after the confrontation Jem is rightfully paranoid again and is frustrated with Atticus for writing off Mr. Cunningham's behavior as a “blind spot”. Atticus again tried to ease Jem's worries, “‘He might have hurt me a little,’ Atticus conceded, ‘But soon you'll understand folks a little better when you're older. A mob’s always made up of people, no matter what. Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man. Every mob in every little southern town is made up of people you know…”’(Lee, 179). Instead of telling Jem his concerns were baseless he told him what may have happened and worked through it with him. 

The first time Jem expressed his fears Atticus didn't tell Jem the whole truth which gave them a false sense of security. The second time, after the mob, Atticus gives Jem a Broader understanding of what happened and a less black-and-white view of the people involved. This helped to grow both Jem and Scout's understanding of the people involved in the Tom Robinson case and will likely help Jem in understanding the events of the Trial itself.

“‘Well, your father and I have decided it was time I came to stay with you for a while.”’(Lee 144)

“‘I’ll send him home,” a burly man said, and grabbed Jem roughly by the collar. He yanked Jem nearly off his feet.”(Lee 173)

In the first quote Atticus leaves the house, Aunt Alexandra takes over and tries her best to make the kids respectable and established. In doing this, she is diverting the attention away from the real conflict which is the court case. Alexandria is doing her best to protect the quality of their family name and doesn’t want Jem and Scout to end up like the rest of the town. In the second quote Atticus is in front of the jail where Tom Robinson is being held talking to non-townsfolk. The kids were all snooping and popped into his conversation, the men got fed up with the kids and one of the men aggressively grabbed Jem. I think this is a moment that will make the kids think on what this situation is about, none of them know who Tom Robinson is, or what rape is. It adds a level of seriousness to the understanding the kids have.

“‘… what’s rape, Cal?’ ‘It’s somethin‘ you’ll have to ask Mr. Finch about,’ she said.” (Lee141)

“What’s rape?” I asked him that night… He sighed, and said rape was carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent.” (Lee 154)

These quotes display when an adult makes it more difficult for the children to fully understand what is happening and when an adult makes it easier for them to understand what is happening. Scout asks Cal what rape is because she mentions what Tom has been accused of. Cal won't tell Scout and makes her go ask her father about it, while Cal won’t tell her what it is, her father will. Atticus explains that rape is a forceful nonconsensual sexual act towards a person. I think this will help Scout understand what's going on in the town because now she has a better understanding of why people are mad. People would rather keep the children in the dark when it comes to heavier subjects, but it is important for them to know when the whole town is involved and they are getting harassed about the whole conflict.

“They c’n go loose and rape up the countryside for all ‘em who run this county care.” (Lee 153)

“What’s rape?”--- He sighed, and said rape was carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent” (Lee 154)

The difference in the first quote is that it's coming from the kids overhearing an adult conversation so it leads to them being confused because of the lack of explanation. The kids could take it out of context and not understand what the adult had said which is different from the second quote. In the second quote scout asks an adult a question about the conversation they overheard which causes the adult to explain what rape is to inform the kid so they understand what both of the adults are saying. The adult in the second quote has a perspective of not wanting the kid to know because they are too young to understand things they overhear and they don't want them to hear the bad act. These two quotes help me understand the trial better because it gives us two perspectives, the adult in the first one is saying the county doesn't care what they do around here and the other quote explains their perspective and shows that not all think that way.

“Just what did he do, Cal?” Calpurnia sighed. “Old mr. Bob Ewell accused him of rapin’ his girl an’ had him arrested an’ put in jail”(Lee 164)

181 “apologize to your aunt,” he said I didn't ask her I asked you”(Lee 181)

Cal helps the kids learn of the person the father will be protecting in court  but sense their father is scared of their aunt who is living with them he forces his daughter to apologize instead of answering her question.

“In the midst of the strange assembly, Atticus tries to make jem mind him “I ain't going” was his steady answer to Atticus's threats and requests, and finally “please jem  take them home”. I was getting a bit tired of that, but felt jem had his own reasons for doing as he did.”(pg 173)

“Ill send him home,” said a burly man, and grabbed jem roughly by the collar. He nearly yanked him off his feet.”

The burly man helped by taking jem away and how he took jem home and making him go home. Jem was making it difficult and created more conflict by being difficult and having people make him go home and being mean to his sister.