Reading Response #5

"'Scout look! Reverend, He's Crippled!'"(Lee 211).

Raping someone with only one arm is probably still possible but less likely. Having one of his arms cut off is relevant because it comes out that it is his left arm that got cut off and the bruises on the right side of her face but how did they get there if he has no left hand. The real story is starting to come out and it is showing that Tom may be innocent. 

Walter: "Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy 'bout messing 'round with sick people---then go be a nurse like other women---or just get married and be quiet..." (Hansberry 38)

This makes me understand Walter sees no reason to go to college and go into alot of debt. He sees being a doctor only as helping sick people but doesn't see anything else. He never sees being a doctor can help in the long run and can give you the financial stability they have never had in their family. 

Walter and Atticus are similar because they both are the men of their families and they run the house. But they both are completely different and Atticus is all calm and has a good job and never goes crazy on his children and always settles his disagreements with the people in the town. Walter on the other hand may listen to you calmly, ultimately he will burst and and will go crazy and he will fix his disagreements by drinking and never really fixes anything. 

“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). This quote shows that Scout did not understand why Tom did not fight back. She didn't understand what would have happened to him if he had fought back because she doesn't fully understand that colored and white people are still treated very differently. 

Walter: "Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy 'bout messing 'round with sick people---then go be a nurse like other women---or just get married and be quiet..." (Hansberry 38) Similar to Scout, Walter also doesn't understand something. He doesn't understand what it's like for Beneatha to be a woman that is trying to become a doctor. He has his own struggles but is failing to see her struggles because it would be “easier” if she just got married. This shows that Walter is unwilling to look at a new perspective to help himself better understand his sisters predicament. 

These two are similar because they both are failing to understand something about someone else. Scout just needed to be told why Tom couldn't couldn't fight back and she understood it more. Maybe if Walter had been willing to receive a new perspective then he could have also understood Beneatha more. 

As the trial commences the children sneak into the courthouse to watch the trial. Jem and Scout have been around and learned from Atticus all their lives. Jem has the advantage of age to better his understanding over Scouts. Dill who's not as exposed to legal stuff goes to Jem when he doesn't understand what's happening, “Dill leaned across me and asked Jem what Atticus was doing. Jem said Atticus was showing the jury that Tom had nothing to hide.” (Lee, 217). Jem’s age being slightly older than Scout, who isn't capable just yet of deeper thought, is perfect for the reader to be able to understand what's happening. He's young enough to explain things simply but old enough to understand the deeper meaning.

Walter has huge ambition and his societal class prevents him from fully achieving his goals. His sister Beneatha also experiences adversity in her society, being black and also a woman who wants to be a doctor. Beneatha is getting some of the insurance money for her tuition which helps her fulfill her goals whereas Walter won't be getting a penny of the money to help with his goals. Walter’s lack of fulfillment in his life spills over into his relationship with Beneatha putting her down for her ambition, "Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy 'bout messing 'round with sick people---then go be a nurse like other women---or just get married and be quiet..." (Hansberry 38). This helps to understand Walter’s character by providing insight into how he responds to others. It also shows his frustration not only with the cards he's been dealt in the world but also with his family. This reaction solidifies Walter's feelings of his ideas being unappreciated.

Walter and Jem have very different forms of success in both novels. Walter wants riches and appreciation and Jem's success consists of maturing and forming his own opinions about how his society deals with controversy. Walter is very poor, he has a small job and a big ambition that's not realized not only by the society he lives in but also by his family. Jem on the other hand has a supportive father that helps him to better understand how to process things. Not to mention Jem is white in a society that looks down on black people giving him a distinct advantage over Walter. In their own respective goals, Jem probably has a better chance of achieving success.

“Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.''(Lee 244) This makes more sense because Scout shows that because she is white and Tom is black she can say anything and Tom would be a dead man because they believe her and not Tom. This shows the racist part of the book and just becasue she's white she can get away with it.

Walter: "Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy 'bout messing 'round with sick people---then go be a nurse like other women---or just get married and be quiet..." (Hansberry 38) this shows how selfish walter can be and he should only get his way of like he's talking to bennie and wonder why she wants to be a nurse because they have to spend money that they don't have Walter only looks out for himself and not others  

I think that Walter has a bigger come up than Scout because Walter has made life changing decisions that have not gone in his favor. Scout is smart for her age therefore he will have more character success.

“Well, Dill, after all he’s just a Negro”(Lee 266). 

Dill eventually can’t handle the conflict and starts crying in the courtroom. Scout takes him outside to not disturb the trial and Dill starts asking questions. He is wondering why Mr. Gilmer was being so rude to Mr. Robinson when Mr. Finch wasn’t being rude to his witnesses at all. Scout tries to explain to Dill that it’s because of his race Mr. Gilmer is being belligerent towards him. This helps us understand that maybe Dill is Immature and doesn’t understand that there is racism in the world. 

1. Beneatha: "(Dropping to her knees) Well---I do---all right?---thank everybody! And forgive me for wanting to be anything at all! (Pursuing him on her knees across the floor) FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME!" (Hansberry 37)  

This quote helps us understand that Beneatha doesn’t want to end up like the rest of her family. She wants to move on and do something big with her life outside of poverty. She also wants to be self empowering. She doesn’t want to feel like a man is the only way she can get anywhere in life.

Beneatha and Dill both compare in the sense that they are both very emotional about what they believe in. Both of them are having to deal with racial discrimination. Except instead of living in an impoverished family like Beneatha, Dill has to watch a black man get treated differently because of his skin color.

“Until my father explained it to me later, I did not understand the subtlty 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 260-261)

Tom Robinson is explaining to the jury he never had any ill intent towards Mayella. Giving information about Tom helps also give insight to Scout and how as a kid she can’t truly understand what is happening, and the severity of the situation. 

Ruth: "No. Mama, something is happening between me and Walter. I don't know what it is---but he needs something--- something I can't give him anymore. He needs this chance, Lena." (Hansberry 42)

This quote gives insight to Ruth and how while she doesn’t fully understand the situation she knows something is wrong, and wants to help.

Ruth and Scout feel similar knowing something is wrong but not knowing the whole picture, but Ruth would most likely be more successful solving the problem being an adult.

1. “When the debate became more acrimonious than professional, but this was from watching lawyers other than our father. I never heard Atticus raise his voice in my life.” (Lee 229).

During this time, Scout is explaining how this case seems different to her father Atticus. Usually according to Scout, Atticus will keep his temper and professionalism, but Scout and Jem were both noticing a difference in how this case affects Atticus. 

2. B. “Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy 'bout messing 'round with sick people---then go be a nurse like other women---or just get married and be quiet..." (Hansberry 38).

In this moment Walter and Benetha are arguing about who should have Mamas money. Walter wants the money to start a liquor store and Benetha wants the money to go to school and be a doctor. Walter gets upset because he believes this liquor store will be the best thing for the family and wants the money so badly. 

3. Atticus and Walter are similar because when they both care deeply about something they will try their best and dedicate themselves to try and get their way. 

“she’s got enough sense to get the judge sorry for her, but she might be just--oh, I don’t know.” (Lee 205) This is from the court scene where Articuss sees that the woman who is on the stand that she is scared of Scout's father Articuss because he is giving no expression almost like a hollow shell

Walter: "Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy 'bout messing 'round with sick people---then go be a nurse like other women---or just get married and be quiet..." (Hansberry 38) This shows how much Walter does not care about what his sister wants to do. It shows his character as a man who just wants to help himself and not people like his sister.

The Contrast between the two men is Walter wants to help himself while Articuss wants to help the man he is defending. They are only compared by their passion for what they do in a way. Articuss is a good lawyer and cares about this case and Walter cares about having the money to start a business to get more money.

Beneatha: "(Dropping to her knees) Well---I do---all right?---thank everybody! And forgive me for wanting to be anything at all! (Pursuing him on her knees across the floor) FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME!" (Hansberry 37)
Jem: “‘Scout, look! Reverend, he’s crippled!’” (Lee 211)
Beneatha and Jem have very similar personalities when it comes to not being responsible for themselves. However, Jem is more irresponsible when it comes to actions and is somewhat rude to people while Beneatha relies on others. Jem seems to be the one that is more likely to succeed because of how he starts to gradually change his personality towards the case.

During the court hearing Atticus Finch is asking Mayella questions in order to get to the bottom of who raped her, Atticus has Tom stand and asks if thats the man who raped her then Mayella says “I will, that’s him right yonder.” at this point Jem notices that Tom essentially has one hand “Scout,” breathed Jem. “Scout, look! Reverend, he’s crippled!” it’s Tom’s left hand that is gone and the bruises are on the left side of Mayella’s face.

“Scout,” breathed Jem. “Scout, look! Reverend, he’s crippled!” (Lee 248)

Mama: "No---There's something that's come down between me and them that don't let us understand each other and I don't know what it is. One done lost his mind thinking 'bout money all the time and the other done commence to talk about things I can't seem to understand in no form or fashion." (Hansberry 52)

In both quotes, the character makes a connection that something is going on and they feel like they need to get to the bottom of it. I think Mama is set up to experience character success because she realized that her kid’s mind has been over run with money and he's seemingly too far gone.

“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 198). 

Walter: "Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy 'bout messing 'round with sick people---then go be a nurse like other women---or just get married and be quiet..." (Hansberry 38)

Looking that these two quotes and looking at the way Walter acts with change and how Attius does, I feel as if Atticus has better control over himself and how he handles negative situations. Walter seems to be better with the higher intensity responses, such as yelling, screaming, sarcastic attitude, etc. That being said Atticus is set up higher for success for him ability to stay sane in a tough situation. 

• “When the debate became more acrimonious than professional, but this was from watching lawyers other than our father. I never heard Atticus raise his voice in my life.” (Lee 229).

During this time, Scout is explaining how this case seems different to her father Atticus. Usually, according to Scout, Atticus will keep his temper and professionalism, but Scout and Jem were both noticing a difference in how this case affects Atticus. 

• B. “Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy 'bout messing 'round with sick people---then go be a nurse like other women---or just get married and be quiet..." (Hansberry 38).

At this moment Walter and Beneatha are arguing about who should have Mama's money. Walter wants the money to start a liquor store and Benetha wants the money to go to school and be a doctor. Walter gets upset because he believes this liquor store will be the best thing for the family and wants the money so badly. 

1. Atticus and Walter are similar because when they both care deeply about something they will try their best and dedicate themselves to try and get their way. 

1. Scout, Jem and Dill are all watching and listening in on the court case and Mayella is being asked to look at Tom and identify if it was really him. Mayella confirms after looking at him for a minute and the kids start seeing how beat down Tom looks. “Scout, breathed Jem. Scout, look! Reverend, hs crippled! Reverend Sykes leaned across me and whispered to Jem. He got it caught in a cotton gin, caught it in Mr Dolphus Raymond’s cotton gin when he was a boy. (Lee 211) 
2. Mama: "No---There's something that's come down between me and them that don't let us understand each other and I don't know what it is. One done lost his mind thinking 'bout money all the time and the other done commence to talk about things I can't seem to understand in no form or fashion." (Hansberry 52)

This quote helps me understand Mama and a character because Mama shows her concern about Walter because of how obsessed he has been lately with money. She said Walter done lost his mind because of how money crazy he's been. 

1. Compare and contrast two of the characters (one from each text) and discuss which one seems more set up to experience character success. 

I think Mama is more set up to experience character success because after Water goes all money crazy in the end Water decides to make the right decision for his family by not taking Mr Linder up on the money to not move into the new house. This shows Walter's character's success. This is character success for both Walter and Mama because they both feel happy and relieved about deciding the best thing for their family and to letting a white man tell them what they can or can't do. Scout, Jem and Dill aren't really set up for character success and much and Wlater and Mama. 

“His left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side -Scout, look! Reverend, he’s crippled!” (Lee 211) As Atticus is fruitfully disproving the case against Tom Jem notices and yells out about Tom's hand. This disability wouldn't be very significant, but the bruises were on the right side of Mayella’s face, only a lefty could do and as Atticus had Bob Ewell show earlier by writing his name, he is a lefty. This quote helps show Tom's innocence as the reader comes to know during the trial. Jem believes there is hope in this case and she helps me better understand that Jem and Scout can not understand it as their father does. It shows the inequality of the case because as Atticus knows, there is no saving Tom in front of an all white jury, Jems comments show the false hope that they are given throughout this case when Atticus knows there is none.

1. Ruth: "No. Mama, something is happening between me and Walter. I don't know what it is---but he needs something--- something I can't give him anymore. He needs this chance, Lena." (Hansberry 42) Walter as we come to learn in this play is a man who can only be satisfied by his greed not others, he destroys personal relationships chasing so hard after something so hard to get, his mind does not have the time or patience to focus on others, Ruth knows and is accepting this. No matter how hard she tries, nothing seems to care to Walter other than that one thing, money. 

The difference between both characters I see is Jem does not understand nor want to accept her circumstances, compared to Ruth who acknowledges that no matter how hard she tries it's not going to work, I believe this sets Ruth up for success because she already knows where as Jem has to learn the false hope she is giving herself. 

"I whispered to Jem, 'Has she got good sense?' Jem was squinting down at the witness stand. 'Can't tell yet,' he said. 'She's got enough sense to get the judge sorry for her, but she might be just--oh, I don't know'" (Lee 204-205). When Jem said this, it helped me understand Mayella and Atticus more. What I took away from this quote is that Jem believes she is trying to manipulate the Judge and Atticus (having good sense) by showing sadness and fear. She also believes that Atticus is making fun of her, which she hopes will get the Judge on her side and look at Atticus in a bad way. This also helped me understand Atticus more because he realizes the tactics she's using and doesn't let it change his opinions. 

Beneatha: "(Dropping to her knees) Well---I do---all right?---thank everybody! And forgive me for wanting to be anything at all! (Pursuing him on her knees across the floor) FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME!" (Hansberry 37) Walter thinks that Beneatha's desire to pursue being a doctor is far-fetched because that's a man's job and she should just be a nurse or get married. By yelling "forgive me" she is being sarcastic because she believes Walter should be proud and grateful that she wants to be a doctor which will provide her family with money and prove that she can be in a "man's" role. This helped me understand how truly passionate and perseverant Beneatha is.

Atticus and Beneatha are similar here because neither of them let someone else words change their opinion(s) and they are both perseverant. They are different here simply because of their character. Atticus is more mellow and staid, while Beneatha is loud and eccentric.