Atticus knew all along. When he was talking to the jury he was speaking to the individual juror. And this book says something about jury selection. It also says something about women serving on a jury. Talking about individuals taking opportunities, Miss Maudie was the only one in the ladies' group to speak up as well. And Mrs. Merriweather is leading the pack of hypocrites. It takes courage to fight evil on an individual level. I'm ashamed to admit I don't do it every time I get the chance (or perhaps ever). That is one of the powerful things about this book, it causes self reflection, something usually painful. Atticus is trying to teach Jem (but Jem already knows this lesson) on page 251 "If you had been on that jury, son, and eleven other boys like you, Tom would be a free man." When reading, an eye closing moment: p. 231 "This case is as simple as black and white." Then Atticus furtively pitches equality to a jury made up of "Ewells." Mr. Gilmer's questions to Tom:
"But you weren't in a fix--you testified that you were resisting Miss Ewell. Were you so scared that she'd hurt you, you ran, a big buck like you?"
"No such, I's scared I'd be in court, just like I am now."
"Scared of arrest, scared you'd have to face up to what you did?"
"No suh, scared I'd hafta face up to what I didn't do."
Tom isn't the only victim of bigotry. His wife, his family, Atticus, Atticus' family, Heck Tate, Mayella, everyone. And yet, the evil lingers. Even Scout says to Dill when Dill has a fit about the way Mr. Gilmer talks to Tom, "Well, Dill, after all he's just a Negro."
Jem's right, why can't we all just get along. But we can't! And that includes me. The days of "...fragrant ladies rocked slowly, fanned gently, and drank cool water." are over (p. 266)
Note the words used to describe the atmosphere of the courtroom "...same as a cold February morning, when the mockingbirds were still, and the carpenters had stopped hammering on Miss Maudie's new house, and every wood door in the neighborhood was shut as tight as the doors of the Radley Place. A deserted, waiting, empty street.." All references to previous events in the book. Nice writing tool.
Adolescence is killing Jem. At least he started to grow hair on his chest (well, theoretically) and hair under his arms. We all know you need armpit hair to play football. Isn't adolescence when you learn that grown ups aren't perfect, even the ones you love? This knowledge is breaking Jem's heart.
I knew this book would be painful to read.
I have a question. I don't understand Dill's purpose in this book. Wouldn't the story be just as good without Dill?
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2 comments:
Well, for one thing, Lee borrowed from her own childhood to write this book. And she had a Dill--Truman Capote, maybe you've heard of him.
Also, I think Dill serves the purpose of being able to blame him for the obsession with making Boo come out. We might dislike Jem or Scout if it were one of them. Also, Dill helps illustrate the growing apart of Scout and Jem (Jem and Dill doing their own things) and highlights some male vs. female issues as well as Scout's overall maturing experience (in wanting to marry Dill).
Don't get on your high horse Missy, just give me your input! Where did you get that acerbic tongue? You've been spending too much time with Nikki and Cylynn!
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