Wednesday, December 14, 2016

TKAM Found Poem: "The Second Letter"

Hidy do, Mr. Arthur.
You haven't been carried out yet, so
You must still be in that sad house.

Why haven't you run off?
Maybe you've got nowhere to
Run off to.

Hold your head high
And don't get it shot off
For the knot-hole.

It's filled up,
So your pocket watch
Is the biggest gift we got.

We walked on eggs for you
Appreciate everything from you
You wrapped around us...

Thanks.

-Jem Finch
-Jean Louise Finch (Scout)


Commented on:Sofia
Jackson
Sophie

Thursday, December 1, 2016

TKAM Pairs: Aunt Alexandra and Atticus

      Atticus and Aunt Alexandra are similar to each other in the fact that they both want what's best for Scout. In the book, it says, "Aunty had a way of declaring What Is Best For The Family, and I suppose her coming to live with us was in that category." Atticus, of course, is a part of that, as it was up to him as the final decider to let Aunt Alexandra live with them. Also, Atticus supports Alexandra's decision. In the book, it says, "We felt it was time you children needed—well, it’s like this, Scout,” Atticus said. “Your aunt’s doing me a favor as well as you all. I can’t stay here all day with you, and the summer’s going to be a hot one.” In this manner, one person fills the gaps in reason left by the other's logic.
      However, they're very different to each other, and nowhere is this more obvious than the matter of Calpurnia. In the book, it says “Alexandra, Calpurnia’s not leaving this house until she wants to. You may think otherwise, but I couldn’t have got along without her all these years. She’s a faithful member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are. Besides, sister, I don’t want you working your head off for us—you’ve no reason to do that. We still need Cal as much as we ever did.” The argument seems to have been a pretty tense one judging from his reaction, but we can't tell as it happened off-page.
         The two characters both have different relationships to Scout. Based on previous evidence, Alexandra appears to be the foil (based on prior evidence), while Atticus appears to be the alter ego, based on both his and Scout's use of witticisms. In the book, it says, "And for goodness’ sake put some of the county back where it belongs, the soil erosion’s bad enough as it is.” Scout uses humor like that at least once a chapter.  The two characters have very different influences on Scout. While Scout seems to find more of her own personality in Atticus, she frequently gets into conflict with Alexandra. In the book, it says, "Who was the “her” they were talking about? My heart sank: me. I felt the starched walls of a pink cotton penitentiary closing in on me, and for the second time in my life I thought of running away. Immediately."   Even if the conflict is indirect, it still happens.
(Also, I apologize for the terrible pun in the attached image.)