Reading Response #7

Changed the most 

Jem 

“Don’t let Jem get you down. He’s having a rough time these days.” (lee 283)

Jem is more parinowed and less trusting of people so he heard Ewell he has scout stop to confirm what he had heard and he and scout were more alert and less blindsided by his attack.

Most consistent 

Atticus 

“Somone’s been after my children.” lee 302) from the start of the book Atticus has only wanted to protect his kids from the world and during the trial, he did not want them there and tried to prevent them from learning about what had happened

Things did resolve in the way that I thought they would because in my prediction boo Radley was going to see something that would change the story for the better.

paranoid not parinowed

Scout:

“It had something to do with my going around in overalls. Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn’t supposed to be doing things that required pants. Aunt Alexandra’s vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born; furthermore, I should be a ray of sunshine in my father’s lonely life. I suggested that one could be a ray of sunshine in pants just as well, but Aunty said that one had to behave like a sunbeam, that I was born good but had grown progressively worse every year” (Lee 108).

Scout has a very steadfast, willful, and loyal personality. She is not described as “lady-like”, rather, she dances to her own beat of her drum. Although she is impulsive, her actions always have meaning behind them. She looks up to the people around her, especially her father, and defends him at any cost. Her thoughts are very mature for her age, she listens closely to what her father says, and much of her beliefs are influenced by her father’s. At the end of the story, Scout showed her bravery, her loyalty, and her sense of responsibility. She stayed calm through the altercation with Bob Ewell, concerned about the safety of her brother, even saying that she was alright and that everyone should be concerned about her brother’s safety. Even when she was introduced to Boo Radley, she instantly knew how to behave with him, she even walked him home after the altercation, realizing that her fears of Boo were unfounded. “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.” (Lee 374). This summarizes Scout’s personality, and how she changed throughout the novel. From an impulsive young girl, to a mature and understanding young women. 

Atticus:  

“He said Atticus never talked much about the Radleys: when Jem would question him Atticus’s only answer was for him to mind his own business and let the Radleys mind theirs, they had a right to…” (Lee 13). 

Atticus is very smart, he wants what is best for his children, and he lives his life despite the opinions of others. Atticus stayed consistent throughout the novel, he always remained his caring, thoughtful, and moral self. Even through the trials and tribulations with Tom Robinson and the Ewell family, he remained true to himself, willingly supporting Tom Robinson and protecting his life. Atticus is as wise and he is caring, he cared for his children is educating them on forming their own beliefs rather than being influenced. His personality feed into the events at the end of the novel because he stayed loyal to his children, he wanted to take the fall for the killing of Bob Ewell because he didn’t want Jem or Boo to be convicted. He stayed by his son’s bed as he was resting, whilst caring for his daughter. He puts his children above all else, he truly is a great father. 

The ending of the story was unexpected, but it all made sense. Bob did say that he’d get back at Atticus in some way, and what is worse than losing your children? I believe that introducing Boo Radley into the story and a heroic figure was a smart was of tying all the information about Boo Radley together. I also infered that Boo has some sort of autism and that is why he is kept inside, this is alluded when Atticus dims the lights for him, and Boo’s request for Scout to walk him home. I wish I had more details on why he was kept inside, I understand he has a light sensitivity, but was he willing to stay indoors or was he locked inside because his family was embarrassed that they had an autistic/ special needs child.

The person who I think changed the most throughout the book was Scout. She was exposed to many different things in a short period of time and because of that, she learned to adapt to those things and learn from them. "It is a scary place though, ain’t it?...Boo doesn’t mean anybody any harm, but I’m right glad you’re along" (Lee, 258). This quote shows Scout maturing and growing as a person because at the beginning of the book she only thought of Boo to be a scary man who never left his home. She changed because now at the end of the book she realizes just because he’s different doesn’t mean he’s scary. She now thought of him as a shy but compassionate neighbor. The person who I think went through the smallest amount of change was Atticus. I feel this way because at the beginning of the book he was a subtle and kind honest man and even at the very end of the book he was the exact same. “Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It's knowing you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do” (Lee 49). This quote is showing the courage that Atticus has and how he cares about his children and the lives they will live at both the beginning and end of the book he is an honest and courageous man who will always put his kids first. 

The end of the story isn’t at all what I was expecting. I was very surprised about the events that happened but at the same time, I feel as if it was expected to happen. I think the thing that surprised me the most was the kids getting jumped and then the sheriff stating that Bob Ewall killed himself and was adamant about it and wouldn’t let anyone think otherwise. I wish there was information added about who really killed Bob, or what Jim had to say about it if he remembered any of it. I also wish they added Boo telling Scout why he really does always stay inside. 

Scout grew and displayed the most change through the events of the novel.
“Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough” (Lee, 283). Scout shows growth change by maturing throughout the novel. She starts to see society differently. Instead of seeing the wicked, cruel, and mean side of people’s identities, she understands what it means to be in someone else’s shoes. In this case, Scout finds empathy for Boo Radley. She has flashbacks of her childhood that show the deeper meaning of the challenging life he had, and how it wasn’t scary after all.

Atticus stayed the most consistent throughout the novel.
“‘Atticus, he was real nice’ … ‘Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them” (Lee, 285). Atticus has been trying to teach this to his kids all along. From respecting Negros to reading for Mrs. Dubose. He was consistent in teaching his children to not be judgemental and subjective and to rather understand a person's situation before making conclusions. Atticus’ ideology became a big part of the character's success in others like his kids and the town.
The ending of TKAM didn’t end how I expected it to. I thought Tom Robinson would be claimed innocent of the case. I liked the lesson of the story and how innocent people or “Mockingbirds” are ones to be killed for no reason.

“I thought I wanted to be a lawyer but I ain’t so sure now!” (55) Jem impacts most events throughout the novel, and I believe that he is the one who grows and changed the most out of all the other characters. This quote here is him saying that he once wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, but by the end of the Tim Robinson trial, he is reconsidering being a lawyer because he didn’t understand the legal system as well as he thought he did. 

“First of all, if you learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. 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.” (33) Atticus was the character who stayed the same throughout the novel the most in my opinion. From the start to the very end, he was trying to teach his kids to not be judgemental to other people in town some may not consider normal back then and to stop and understand a person's situation, “walk a mile in their shoes” before jumping to conclusions. His teaching his kids was a huge role in both of their parts and growing as people.

It didn’t end how I thought it would, I thought Atticus would have won the case and Tom would’ve been innocent. I wish it would have talked more about why Boo Radley actually stays indoors all the time.

The person who changed the most is Scout 

“It had something to do with my going around in overalls…. when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn’t supposed to be doing things that required pants. (Lee108) 

Scout has changed the most because she is a girl being raised by her dad and she hangs around her older brother so she is used to doing the things that her brother does as well as Dill so she isn't used to doing girl things or dressing how girls usually dress because she grew up around boys. She is also kind of forced to grow up with the type of situations she goes through with people calling her dad Nigger lover because of him trying to help Tom and with tom dying and her being ladylike for her aunt as well as her and Jem getting attacked. 

Someone who stayed the same is Atticus 

““Heck? Atticus Finch. Someone’s been after my children.”(Lee 267) 

The reason why Atticus stayed the same throughout the whole book is that Atticus is smart and just wants what is best for his children he wants them to grow up in a safe environment where they can be what they want to be he doesn't want them to be judged but he knows that they will eventually as they have already experienced it but his reaction to things don't change and he doesn't really show his emotions until the end of the book where he calls the doctor because Jem and Scout got attacked coming back from the school. 

Things did not resolve the way I expected. The thing that surprised me the most was Ewell attacked Jem and Scout on the way back from school. I didn't expect him to go after the kids and I didn't expect him to die when they went to see who it was that attacked the kids. I wish they told us how Jem was when he woke up and if Jem ever got to see Boo. I also wish that they told us what happened to Ewell's body and what happened to his kids.

I feel like scout changed the most throughout the novel 

“Catching Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard gave me some pleasure, but when I was rubbing his nose in the dirt Jem came by and told me to stop”(lee 25 )

“You gonna take it back, Fra—ancis?” But I was too quick on the draw. Francis shot back into the kitchen, so I retired to the steps. I could wait patiently.”(lee 95) 

In the begging of the book scout would have gotten into a fight with anyone that did something she didn't like but now scout doesn't do that she has a little bit more patience with people and she has also stopped getting in to as many fights with others because she knows atticus doesn't like it 

Someone i think has stayed the same is atticus 

“Heck? Atticus Finch. Someone’s been after my children. Jem’s hurt. Between here and the schoolhouse. I can’t leave my boy. Run out there for me, please, and see if he’s still around. Doubt if you’ll find him now, but I’d like to see him if you do.” (lee 302)

Through the course of the novel the biggest priority for Atticus has always been his children that has never changed even with him doing the trial he tried to focus more on the kids then the trial the trial was on the back burner compared to the kids. 

It did not end the way I thought it would. I for sure thought Atticus was going to win the trial. I also never thought anything bad would happen to either one of atticus's kids. 

Jem stayed consistent because he is also mad or has an attitude. “Don't you know you're not supposed to even touch the trees over there? You'll get killed if you do!”(pg.38) this quote shows how he stayed consistent with his personality because he is always angry and has an attitude and has a loud voice all the time. This is a part of the event because he gets mad at his sister all the time and is mean to his sister. This impacted the event because he was always mean and disrespectful.

 Atticus has changed because she “give me those scissors Atticus said “they’re nothing to play with” does this by any chance have anything to do with the Radleys?” he said that to jem when he was playing with scissors because they were going to steal from boo radley's house. Atticus has changed because he is starting to care more about his friends and make sure they don't get in trouble after his trial. Atticus changed for the good because he's starting to become the bigger person of the group and a better person this helps with events because it gives them a better and smarter outlook on the events.

I think it went the way I expected because you didn't see progression in some people but you saw they could change and Atticus did. But with jem stayed constantly rude and disrespectful. I wish I knew more about why jem was so mean and rude to everyone.

The character that showed the most growth and change was Scout. 

“But I never figured out how Atticus knew I was listening, and it was not until many years later that I realized he wanted me to hear every word he said.”(Lee,91) 

Scout changed the most throughout the novel, in the beginning she was more childish and she didn’t see the societal problems that was going on in Maycomb. Scout always knew how to get herself involved into trouble but towards the end she wasn’t getting into things nearly as much. She listened to Atticus and sometimes Jem and grew up and learned from them. 

The character who stayed the same throughout the novel is Atticus. 

“Scout, simply by the nature of the work, every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one’s mine, I guess. You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat.”(Lee 78)

Throughout the novel Atticus has always only cared about one thing over anything, his children. He only wants the best for his children and wants them to succeed in life better than he did. All throughout the book Atticus gives the children advice and see the world in a different perspective and not just what gets put in their head by others. He would do anything to protect his children no matter what. 

Things did not resolve the way I thought they would. In the beginning I didn’t expect Boo Radley to be a good person and thought of him as a suspicious character who might have caused something bad to happen but in reality Boo saved the kids when they got jumped. Once I got towards the end it made more sense to why Boo Radley always stayed inside, because Maycomb’s people were drama filled and staying inside and keeping himself away from that made him not get entangled in the big societal problems.

Atticus remains consistent throughout the novel showing his caring and thoughtful nature through the struggle of the trial and dealing with the aftermath. “Atticus eyes filled with tears. He did not speak for a moment. Tell them I’m very grateful,” he said. “Tell them--tell them they must never do this again. Times are too hard.” (Lee 244). Atticus is still the same nice fellow who is very grateful but it's also his nature to not accept this because he knows how it affects others. Atticus is described as good-natured because of his way of accepting the loss of the trial. It did not affect him greatly in the end, it was just a road bump in his path.

Jem was not very nice and didn't care for the small things. Scout but had been taught to him by Atticus. Jem has changed throughout the book to develop feelings and empathy for the smallest of creatures even a bug. “Why couldn’t I mash him?” I asked. “Because they don't bother you.” (Lee 272). Jem has taken away the good from this trial and has applied this to his ever-changing personality, he sees the unfairness in the decision of Tom Robinson's case, and he wants to protect the weak and fragile. 

Things did resolve the way I thought. I knew from the beginning that the town is not a fan of black people. Which effected the court's decision in the case. What surprised me the most is that Jem learned goodness from the trial when there was very little of that. I wish there was more information about the jurors and how their decision was really made instead of just skipping to them saying “guilty”

Scout: Changed the most, “‘You can just take that back, boy!’...was the beginning of a rather thin time for Jem and me. My fists were clenched and ready to let fly.” (Lee 85). This shows how Scout is a very wild, unrestrained child for the most part, she does what she wants when she wants usually, and she doesn’t get much backlash for it, and as we got through the story we see that this wildness did eventually get her in some trouble because when she got in that fight with Francis, but on other occasions, it was helpful, like when she ran into the middle of that group of men and Atticus in front of the Jail, where her wild behavior caused the group of men to go home instead of potentially hurting Atticus or worse. This and Tom Robinson was still able to remain alive to at least have a trial to try to prove his innocence, albeit it was all in vain.

Atticus: Changed the least, “‘but before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” (Lee 120). This is why Atticus is fighting so hard for Tom Robinson to win because he knows that if he doesn’t then it’s on his conscience when Tom either loses the trial or gets killed that’s still on Atticus if he doesn’t try. Atticus knows that they are going to lose the case just because of the color of Tom’s skin, but because of his conscience, he has to at least try. This is why he was so exhausted after the trial, and it is also why it is such a big deal when Tom Robinson tried to escape prison and ended up getting killed. This is also why at the end of the book when Atticus thought that Jem killed Bob Ewell when he attacked Jem and Scout when Boo was the one who actually killed him. Atticus was worried about how it would go down in court with Jem and he wouldn’t let Heck Tate just say that Bob Ewell fell on his knife, because if Jem killed Bob and Heck was saying that to protect Jem then it would have eaten away at his conscience and Atticus probably wouldn’t have been able to live with that kind of secret.

For the most part, the outcome of the book was how I imagined it. I knew something bad was probably going to happen to Scout and Jem, I knew that they probably weren’t going to win the trial, and I knew that Boo Radley wasn’t a bad person and I figured he was going to probably come out at the end of the book and do something really good for the kids, I just didn’t know what. I think the thing that surprised me most was how upset Bob Ewell was after the case, even though he won, he still had the nerve to go attack and try to kill Atticus’ children just because Atticus insulted him a bit during the trial by pointing out facts. I wish there was more on the events after the attack. For example what happened to Jem when he woke up, what was it like from his perspective? Did Aunt Alexandra end up moving out? If so when? Among other things of that sort.

Most Changed

I would definitely say Jem is the most changed. He went from acting like a young kid by sneaking onto people's yards, to being a conscious person who understands the situation and taking accountability for Scout as her older brother. “Jem shook his head. As Atticus’ fists went to his hips, so did Jem's, and as they faced each other I could see a little resemblance between them”.(Lee 173)

Most Consistent

Atticus was certainly the most consistent, he kind of had to be considering his role in court. If he did anything outrageous it would have taken a toll on his reputation. As a lawyer it was his job to remain calm, cool, and collected. Atticus is always sitting back and reading a newspaper with his legs crossed, I see it as a symbol of being controlling of the situation and taking everything seriously. “Atticus put out his hand and Jem was silent” (Lee 125)

I think the ending to the book was pretty unexpected, but everything still connected. I would have really hoped for some justice for Tom, but considering the circumstances, I think the next best thing happened. The abuser of a father had a very unmemorable death with no dignity whatsoever, the quiet guy of the town became a hero, and nobody was charged with anything.

In the book to kill a mockingbird scout had changed the most from the beginning of the book. In the beginning she is a young child that is very naive and innocent. Towards the end of the book she had developed into a maturer version of herself. Atticus hasn't changed throughout the book because he is a lawyer and he stays fair and consistent in his nature.

“It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived.”(lee 104) This quote is the moment when Scout realizes her father was her role model in her life and she starts to be more involved with his case supporting atticus. When she starts to get involved with his case is when she matures and gets exposed to the world.

“You never really understand a man unless you consider things from his own point of view ... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”(lee 36) 

This quote shows atticus’ stand point and character because he is understanding and remains fair due to him being a lawyer and he continues to be this way all the way through till when he loses the case against bob. 

I thought that Atticus would have successfully defended Tom Robinson and it was shocking to see that he lost the case. And i didnt think that Bob would have tried to kill the kids and boo saving them.

She brought me something to put on, and had I thought about it then, I would have never let her forget it: in her distraction, Aunty brought me my overalls. “Put these on, darling,” she said handing me the garments she most despised.(Lee 354)

This shows that the aunt has changed as she gave Scout the cloths that she trying to stop Scout from wearing because they were not civilized, showing she now care more about her safety then how civilized scout is

 “Atticus’s eyes filled with tears. He did not speak for a moment. “Tell them I’m very grateful.” he said. “Tell them—-- tell them they must never do this again. Times are to hard”(Lee 286) 

Atticus never really changes throughout the story as the book just shows he is a really caring person

Changed the most - Jem

I believe that Jem changed the most throughout the book because he learned more about racism and how the community is very negative towards black people. He learned from his father how unfair it is that black people are treated differently in the community, “‘Doesn’t make it right,’ said Jem stolidly. He beat his fist softly on his knee. ‘You just can’t convict a man on evidence like that- you can’t.’” (Lee 252). That quote shows Jem on how he believes you shouldn’t make a man guilty just because he’s black. Giving evidence on how he treats the black community and his opinions on them. It impacted him in the end with this belief, and the family standing up for blacks, because he ended up getting jumped by Bob Ewell because of his furious anger. 

Stayed the most Consistent - Bob Ewell 

I believe that Bob Ewell stayed the most consistent throughout the book because he never changed his thoughts, personality, or opinions. “...I felt Jem’s hand leave me, felt him jerk backwards to the ground. …Jem screamed.” (Lee 301). That quote shows that Ewell is just as crazy and mad of a man as he was when he was still crazy about abusing his daughter and being reckless to the community. He’s still racist, still abusive, still mad. 

Things resolved in a way I expected because I figured Boo was going to have an important role at the end of the story, and I expected Scout to mature. I least expected, and took me by surprise was that Tom lost the court case after all that evidence against Ewell. Finally, I wish I had more detail on how truly Ewell died, and what happened between the whole discussion of Ewell and the cover up of it.

The character that I think stayed the most consistent was Calapernia. She had a very similar mindset as Atticus, that everyone should be treated equally no matter what they look like or where they come from. “ ‘He ain’t no company, Cal, he’s just a Cunningham’ ‘Hush your mouth! Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo comp’ny, and don’t you let me catch you remarkin on their ways like you were so high and mighty! Yo’ folks might be better’n the Cunninghams but it doesn't count for nothin’ the way you’re distracting them.’ “ (Lee 27) 

The Character that changes the most is Scout. Because she grew up from a helpless child to a young lady. Things she would do and say at the beginning of the she would no longer say at the end. Like her getting in a fight with Walter over him basically being poor whereas later in the book Cecli Jacobs calls her and her family racial slur and is mature enough to walk away. “I was far too old and too big for such childish things, and the sooner I learned to hold in, the better off everybody would be.” (Lee 77)

The book did go how I expected it to as far as it being super hectic, but most of the things that happened were not ready for and I didn’t expect. I was super surprised at the end when boo Radley save the kids lives. One thing I wish went differently or had more explanation to is boo radley i want to know all of his story in his eyes, why he is the why he is.

Scout changed the most

"You're getting so big now, I'll just have to hold a part of you"(Lee 283).

By the end of the book Scout has gotten a few years older than she in the beginning. This quote has showed that she has grown alot physically. She also has matured, Scout's wording in the book changed and as seem to not be as childish as it was. Also Atticus taught her alot on how to act and take things more for granted.

Atticus stayed the same

"People were content to reelect him to the state legislation that year, as usual, without opposition"(Lee 279).

Atticus is a great man and always stayed the same throughout the book. Having no opposition when running for office shows that Atticus is well liked throughout his town/ district. That translates to his home life. He never gets super mad at his children, and he always fixes the problems without getting furious.

 
Grew the most - Scout
‘“No, everybody's gotta learn, nobody's born knowin'.’’’ (Lee 259)

Scout is intelligent, trustworthy, brave, etc. throughout the novel Scout goes through many adversities like being harassed because her father is defending a black man. Towards the end of the novel Scout has grown and learned that things aren't always as they seem. She is more courageous and brave now knowing what she knows. Scout impacts the ending of the novel because we see her view of the trial and everything she endures throughout it. She doesn't understand every aspect of the trial but she knows to stay true to herself and not let others change her opinions on it.

Most consistent - Atticus
“‘As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.’”(Lee 252)

Atticus is kind, honest, caring, etc. Atticus stays very consistent throughout the novel. While being harassed, judged, and ridiculed throughout the whole trial he stayed true to his thoughts and didn't let what others thought change his own opinions. Atticus is important to the end of the novel because he helps teach his kids and others lessons that will help them grow and change with the evolving world.

I did not expect the story to end the way it did. I didn't think that Tom or Bob would've been killed nor did I think Bob would attack two little kids. While we don't know much about Boo Radley we infer that he stays in his home to avoid situations like the ones scout has gone through throughout the story. Boo is seen as a scary man that never comes out of his house. Because of this, he is harshly judged. At the end of the novel we learn that he is actually a nice guy and he ends up saving both Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell. I wish we could have more of a background on Boo Radley and know why he never leaves his house.