In class we worked on "To kill a mockingbird" Slang.
We later discussed about chapter 20.
HOMEWORK:
- Complete chapter 19 & 20 questions
-Finish reading chapter 21 it is just 6 pages!
-Read chapters 22-23 by next class.
-Slang sheet due Thursday
WHAT WAS MAYELLA THINKING...(Maybe something like this)
Before her testimony:
I can’t decide. What should I tell them? What if I lie and then they don’t believe me? But if I tell the truth I might still get hurt. I didn’t mean to make this big of deal but I couldn’t stop it. I wish that this whole thing never happened. I know that Tom never hurt me but I have to say that he did. If I don’t… well…. Maybe I should just tell them, what’s the worst that could happen to me? I know the worst that can happen to me and I guess that I can’t tell them the truth or else the worst will happen to me. What will my dad say if I tell the truth, and worse what will he do? Oh what should I do? I’ll be put to shame if I tell the truth but if I lie I’ll put myself to shame and I’ll always have that guilty feeling the rest of my life and I don’t want that burden on my shoulders. Uh oh they’re calling me up to the stand… what should I say? Well here I go. I guess I have to lie. Maybe it won’t be so bad. I guess I’ll find out.
I can’t decide. What should I tell them? What if I lie and then they don’t believe me? But if I tell the truth I might still get hurt. I didn’t mean to make this big of deal but I couldn’t stop it. I wish that this whole thing never happened. I know that Tom never hurt me but I have to say that he did. If I don’t… well…. Maybe I should just tell them, what’s the worst that could happen to me? I know the worst that can happen to me and I guess that I can’t tell them the truth or else the worst will happen to me. What will my dad say if I tell the truth, and worse what will he do? Oh what should I do? I’ll be put to shame if I tell the truth but if I lie I’ll put myself to shame and I’ll always have that guilty feeling the rest of my life and I don’t want that burden on my shoulders. Uh oh they’re calling me up to the stand… what should I say? Well here I go. I guess I have to lie. Maybe it won’t be so bad. I guess I’ll find out.
Chapter 20
Summary:
Mr. Dolphus Raymond is known as the town drunk, because he always carries his drink in a brown paper bag, and tends to sway a bit in his walk. Mr. Raymond is also married to a black woman and has mixed children. When running from the courthouse, Dill and Scout run into Mr. Raymond and he offers Dill a sip of his drink. Scout is wary, but Mr. Raymond promises Dill it will make him feel better. Dill takes a sip and discovers Mr. Raymond is hiding a bottle of Coca-Cola in his infamous paper bag. Scout asks why he does such a thing, and Mr. Raymond explains he feels he has to give the population some reason for his odd behavior (being friendly toward black people). Mr. Raymond believes it's easier for people to handle strangeness when they have a reason to explain it. Thus, he pretends to be a drunkard. He says he thinks that children like Dill, who is so upset over the trial, haven't lost the instinct that tells them that it's wrong for white people to "give hell" to black people without consideration for their basic humanity.
Summary:
Mr. Dolphus Raymond is known as the town drunk, because he always carries his drink in a brown paper bag, and tends to sway a bit in his walk. Mr. Raymond is also married to a black woman and has mixed children. When running from the courthouse, Dill and Scout run into Mr. Raymond and he offers Dill a sip of his drink. Scout is wary, but Mr. Raymond promises Dill it will make him feel better. Dill takes a sip and discovers Mr. Raymond is hiding a bottle of Coca-Cola in his infamous paper bag. Scout asks why he does such a thing, and Mr. Raymond explains he feels he has to give the population some reason for his odd behavior (being friendly toward black people). Mr. Raymond believes it's easier for people to handle strangeness when they have a reason to explain it. Thus, he pretends to be a drunkard. He says he thinks that children like Dill, who is so upset over the trial, haven't lost the instinct that tells them that it's wrong for white people to "give hell" to black people without consideration for their basic humanity.
Scout and Dill return to the courtroom, where Atticus is beginning his speech to the jury. Atticus explains that the case is very simple, because there is no medical evidence and very questionable testimony to prove Tom's guilt. Atticus explains that Mayella has, "broken a rigid and time-honored code of our society" by attempting to seduce a black man. He acknowledges her poverty and ignorance, but says, "I cannot pity her: she is white." He explains that Mayella followed her desires even though she was aware of the social taboos against her actions. Having broken one of society's strictest codes, she chose to, "put the evidence of her offense," namely Tom Robinson, away from her by testifying against him. Atticus accuses Mayella of trying to rid herself of the source of her own guilt.
Atticus suggests that Mr. Ewell beat his own daughter, as shown by Mayella's bruising on her right side. Mr. Ewell leads predominately with his left, while Tom can't punch with his left hand at all. Atticus points out that the case comes down to the word of a black man against the word of the white people, and that the Ewells' case depends upon the jury's assumption that "all black men lie." Uncharacteristically, Atticus loosens his tie and removes his jacket, which Scout and Jem are astounded to see, because he never walks about so casually. In his final remarks, Atticus speaks directly to the jury, earnestly reminding them that there are honest and dishonest black people just as there are honest and dishonest white people. He tells the jury that in a court of law, "all men are created equal." A court is, however, no better than the members of its jury, and he urges the jury to do their duty. As his speech comes to a close, Scout and Jem see Calpurnia moving toward the front of the court.
Analysis:
Atticus appeals to the jury's sense of dignity, and in putting together the facts of the case, he stresses the simplicity of the evidence and shows that the facts point toward Tom's innocence. As later becomes apparent, Atticus doesn't really believe that the jury will set Tom free, even though he hopes they will, as evidenced by his final statement, under his breath, "In the name of God, believe him." All Atticus can hope for is to leave an impression upon the town by exposing the truth for all to see.
Atticus's treatment of Mayella reveals that though a victim of many cruelties, she has chosen to bring cruelty upon Tom, and must not be excused for this. As he points out, Mayella wants to protect herself by placing her guilt on Tom, knowing that her actions will bring about his death because the jury will believe her, a white woman, and not him, a black man. Thus, she manipulates the unfairness of her society toward her own ends.
Mr. Raymond, as Scout notes elsewhere, is a person of high enough social standing that he can act in very unorthodox ways and have his behavior accepted not only because, as he says, he gives the people a "reason" with which to interpret his behavior, but also through the usual expression, "it's just his way." The ability to be pardoned for certain eccentricities isn't allowed to people of all levels of society. Mr. Raymond owns a great deal of land and is a successful businessman. However, if an Ewell displayed similar behavior, he or she would not be excused so easily.
