Walking in Another Man's Shoes: Scout Gains New Perspective

Finding our way through the attack on Jem and Scout reveals what I would call "tight writing." It all works. The clues fit together neatly and believably. Even though the clues all make sense on close study, the story is still surprising. Isn't it a shame that Mockingbird is Harper Lee's only book?




There's something so beautiful about the last few pages of Harper Lee's book, that every time I read them, I am humbled by her storytelling genius. All those seemingly simple childhood events of the novel come together and take on new meaning. Standing on the Radley porch, Scout sees the neighborhood from Boo's perspective, and as she describes the events of the past months, the reader knows that she has achieved a new depth of character as a consequence of this insight. I think all of us understand those moments that affect us in ways that change and shape who we are.



There are several themes which seem to come together as the story closes. Think about how some of these tie in:

• Courage means fighting for what is right, no matter what the cost.


• Most people are likable once you get to know them.


• It is a sin to kill a mockingbird.


• Hypocrisy and prejudice are hard to detect in your own behavior.


• The best way to understand a person is to "stand in his or her shoes."


• Courage means fighting for something even though you are "licked before you even start."


• We often don't fully appreciate those we are closest to.


• Sometimes people are more comfortable with a stereotype than than the truth.


• People can respect each other even if they have differing viewpoints.

Today when you are blogging, be sure to discuss your thoughts on at least one or more of these themes that stand out to you.

I will also ask that you select one of your independent reading books to comment on in terms of themes or lessons. Has any of your reading related to any of the themes, or settings, or character types presented in Mockingbird?

Rest well over spring break. We'll return to conduct a "crime scene investigation" of the attack on Jem and Scout. We'll share notes and prepare for a final "wrap up" of Mockingbird on Tuesday. Happy spring break!

Poetry and Politics: A Powerful Message

Poetry and music have long been a way for writers to make a statement which can be conveyed to a large audience. If you think about many of the tumultuous time periods in our history, they are accompanied by songs and poems carrying powerful messages about everything from war, injustice, death, suffering, peace, hope, and so on. The Civil Rights movement is no exception.


Poet Marilyn Nelson has woven together a powerful crown of sonnets, which is a sequence of fifteen interlinked sonnets, in which the last sonnet is made up of the first lines of the preceding fourteen. In her collection she makes graphic references to Emmett Till's murder, and of this experience she says, "I wrote this poem with my heart in my mouth and tears in my eyes, breathless with anticipation and surprise."


Her poem makes allusions to poetry and historical events before and after the murder. In the seventh poem, Nelson wonders what life would be like if Emmett had lived: <>


Let's write the obituary of a life lived well and wisely, mourned
by a loving wife or partner, friends, and a vast multitude.
Remember the high purpose he pursued.
Remember how he earned a nation's grief.
Remember accomplishments beyond belief,
honors enough to make us ooh, slack-jawed,
as if we looked up at a meteor shower or were
children watching a fireworks display.
Let America remember what he taught.
Or at least let him die in a World Trade tower rescuing others,
that unforgettable day, that memory of monsters,
that bleak thought.


Some suggested books for further reading: Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case by Chris Crowe, and The Lynching of Emmett Till: A Documentary Narrative, by Christopher Metress.

Waiting for Judgment Day

As I'm reading these chapters, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to be sentenced to die for a crime. How would it feel to be on death row? What about the defendant's attorney, the jury, and the family? Did Atticus really think that they'd have a chance in their appeal?





I remember reading about a group of law students studying death row cases, and they were actually able to prove innocence in a number of cases.
I want you to visit the web site for Northwestern University Law School and read about their work with death penalty cases. This site details actual cases which were overturned after law students conducted further research.




It made me appreciate how realistic and believable the fiction we've been reading is. It also makes me wonder how many other such cases there might be. In Mockingbird, didn't Atticus say that the one place where all men are equal is a court of law? Do you agree?

The Culture of Oppression: What is True Courage?

As we read through the court scene and hear (read) the verdict, I am reminded of similar events in history. It's sad to think that this really wasn't that long ago (1931) that the Scottsboro Boys found themselves fighting for their lives - and freedom- in a similar historical case in Alabama.

As you are finishing up your reading, you might also be thinking about characters, events, historical references and the theme of courage. There are so many connections you can make between Mockingbird and historical events, political figures, and so forth. I can't help but wonder where are we now in terms of the impact of racism in our culture. A site we'll visit and discuss is called Face to Face and is sponsored by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

This raises questions about discrimination in more recent history and current day. In browsing some of the information out there on related reading, I found a very interesting link to the Emmett Till case. Did you know that although the killers admitted what they'd done, they went unpunished? Their confession was published in Look magazine, and it appears in this site. Read over the trial summary, and you will see that it is surprisingly like Tom Robinson's. It only took the jury 67 minutes, though, to come back with a "not guilty" verdict. The two killers just laughed and lit up cigars after their acquittal.

We'll be visiting a few websites today in class. A high school student like you started a campaign to end modern day slavery. Maybe you've heard of it. It's called Loose Change to Loosen the Chains. His campaign has raised thousands of dollars which go to the International Justice Mission, an organization which attempts to advocate for the oppressed. Maybe you've also seen a movie called Amazing Grace, which illustrates the history behind the slave trade. We'll visit that along with these many other sites today. I hope you will find time to blog about it!

Tomorrow you'll be bringing in your drafts of your process writing paper. I'll be anxious to read them!

Happy reading, writing, and blogging!

Trial Testimony: Who Is The Better Attorney?

What do you think about the different styles of the two lawyers? Mr. Gilmer confronts the witnesses, but Atticus has an altogether different style. Who is more effective? Why does Mayella think Atticus is "mockin" her? What does Atticus end up proving about Bob Ewell?

We learn a lot indirectly about the witnesses as they are cross-examined, but we also learn a lot about the children as they watch the trial. Why is Dill asking so many questions? Why does he get sick? What was it that seemed to prejudice the jury and spectators against Tom?

From this point on, the book moves very quickly. Tonight's reading is chapters 20 through 22. Today we'll be reviewing our second drafts of our paper. Third draft and letter will be due on Wednesday, along with the other two drafts and team comments. I'll review the packet in class.

Happy reading and writing!