Journal Entry #6

To Kill A Mockingbird Banned For Being Too Enchanting?

What is usually the first thing you think about when someone mentions the novel To Kill A Mockingbird? Well, many people would think of the word “banned”, but I, for instance, think of the word “breathtaking”. To Kill A Mockingbird is a captivating novel that exposes the imperfections of society within the most innocent perspective; the perspective of a young girl who is born into a society characterized by sharp divisions around race, class, age, and gender. This young girl has to deal with very strong dilemmas as she comes of age, and by doing so, with the help of other main characters, helps us reflect upon our daily choices and how we face similar situations throughout our lifetime.

Maycomb County, Alabama is the main setting of this magnificent story and is located in the southern part of the United States. This small town is filled with people with strong thoughts upon white supremacy, the importance of class, and of course, gender norms. Scout, the protagonist of the novel has to deal with various situations related to each topic and is majorly underestimated due to her age and gender which cause people to believe that she won’t be able to handle many of the occurring situations, such as the Tom Robinson trial.

During the Tom Robinson trial (a trial that was being done due to Mayella Ewell’s accusation of rape by a black man) Scout’s father, Atticus, gives a very beautiful speech that captures the essence of the book. Atticus’s speech talks about his belief in racial equality and how discrimination against an innocent black man due to his skin color at a court, which is a place everybody should be seen as equals, was wrong. Atticus’s word choice and his will to help Tom Robinson was astonishing, and made me as a reader reflect upon how I treat others and have the desire to adopt this non-stereotypical way of thinking in order to treat others as equals and become a better person; one who earns other people’s respect.

Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson during the trial in 1962 To Kill A Mockingbird film.

Furthermore, Scout’s way of challenging not only her gender expectations but also the expectations that came with being part of a high ranking class in her county was amazing. Scout’s independence and boldness were really inspiring since they demonstrated that even though she was a southern girl and was supposed to wear pink dresses, and be “fragile” and dependent upon others, she was able to do everything a boy could do, but as well have the courage it took to be a proper lady if she pleased. In addition, as she grew up she became a girl who was becoming less stereotypical and accepting others by treating them nicely and as equals no matter their class and race. An example of how she does this is how she treats Calpurnia, even though Calpurnia is a black woman she treats her fondly and with respect. Another example is how she expresses about her classmate Walter Cunningham; Scout talks about Walter with respect and the belief that he is a good person even though he might come from a lower social ranking that she is in. These ways of challenging society’s expectations are ones that I would like to adopt in my own life due to my belief that these attributes comprise what I consider a good person; a person who is caring towards others and can take care of oneself.

Jem and Scout Finch sitting beside the tree on the corner of the Radley lot. Scout is wearing an overall which is a piece of clothing consisting of trousers (jeans) and a front flap over the chest which is held up by straps. This type clothing was considered improper for a southern girl during that time. 

Breathtaking, yes, that is how I would describe Harper Lee’s masterpiece. A novel filled with learning experiences; a novel that exposes society’s biggest flaws in the most innocent way. This novel is one that enriches its readers with lessons about respect, love, and equality, making it quite foolish for it to be banned so many times.

Journal Entry #5

Nazi Germany and the 1930s-1940s United States Very Alike?

Discrimination, a strong word with an awful meaning. Many people used to disagree that the United States and Nazi Germany were very similar during the 1930s-1940s. I, for instance, disagree and believe that they were quite similar in the sense of segregation. Hitler discriminated Jews and wanted Germany to only be filled with what he considered the master race; tall, blonde, and blue-eyed Germans. The U.S was no different, but instead of segregating Jews, white Americans discriminated blacks due to their skin color, and their belief in white supremacy. This similarity is majorly exposed by Scout, also known as Jean Louise, in To Kill A Mockingbird.

A sign that prohibited the entrance of black people to an only whites park during the during Jim Crow era.

Propaganda poster that showed what Hitler considered the German master race.

In marvelous chapter number 26, Scout defined the word “democracy” during Miss Gates class. She defined democracy as: “Equal rights for all, special privileges for none.” Consequently, Miss Gates said that the U.S being a democracy was what differentiated it from Germany. “Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced…” she said. Then she was asked why Hitler didn’t like Jews, and quickly responded, “I don’t know, Henry. They contribute to every society they live in…” Allowing the reader to make a deep connection between blacks and Jews during that time.

The existence of Jim Crow laws in the U.S during World War II even left UN delegates aghast due to the similarity between the United States racial discrimination and Hitler’s “master race”. This made U.S friendly countries doubt the U.S devotion to democratic faith, leading the U.S president Harry Truman in 1948 to promote racial equality. He persuaded the Congress to put an end to the poll tax, and impose fair voting and hiring practices. He also persuaded the Congress to put an end to Jim Crow transportation. Truman also mandated the reintegration of the United States armed forces.

In conclusion, the U.S (during the 1930s-1940s) and Nazi Germany were actually very similar. They took away various basic rights to their undesired races, even though they contributed to society. Scout, the protagonist of To Kill A Mockingbird, even though very young noticed the similarities between this two countries, and somehow disagreed with them. Making us, as readers, reflect on our present-day society and how we treat the people around us.

 

Journal Entry #4 – Writing From a Different Perspective

Atticus, Scout, Dill, and Jem during the jailhouse scene in the film To Kill A Mockingbird.

The ambient was tense, I saw and heard Atticus speaking to what seemed to be a mob hidden under the shadows. Atticus seemed to try to remain calm, but the conversation seemed to turn even more hostile with the passing of every word.

“Do you really think so?”

I heard Atticus say in what appeared to be a challenging tone. I had begun to expect this confrontation to become violent if Atticus kept showing defiance. I continued to observe the situation from our hiding spot when Scout broke away from me and Dill. I shrieked, she was already far ahead of us; I knew I shouldn’t have brought her, she was too naive and immature to understand that this was a dangerous situation. With one false move, she could get Atticus or even herself killed. I ran after her, trying to catch her, but she had already reached Atticus.

“H-ey, Atticus!”

Dill and I couldn’t do much but catch up. Atticus looked at all of us, plain fear printed on his face. This situation was even more dangerous than I had previously thought. I could smell whiskey, and tried to recognize the men hidden within the darkness, but it was all too much, I couldn’t recognize anyone except for Walter Cunningham who had already been exposed by Atticus.

Atticus stood up from his chair and moved slowly, carefully putting his newspaper down. I saw his trembling fingers, he seemed very nervous, especially now that we were there with him.

“Go home, Jem. Take Scout and Dill home.”

I shook my head, refusing to obey him and leave him alone. Atticus placed his hands on his hips, trying to demonstrate authority over me; I did the same.

“Son, I said go home.”

I shook my head again. I would not leave him alone with this mob, I knew he would get all beat up if I did.

“I’ll send him home.”

The next thing I noticed was that a man had grabbed me by the collar and pulled me up, almost nearly off my feet.

“Don’t you touch him!”

Scout kicked the man quickly, who surprisingly fell back in real pain, dropping me to the ground. I saw her try to kick that burly man again, but that time aiming for his shin; sadly she failed.

“That’ll do, Scout.” Atticus placed his hand on her shoulder, “Don’t kick folks. No—.”

“Ain’t nobody gonna do Jem that way.”

I felt thankful for what Scout had done, she had saved me from a very bad beat up, but it was clear to me that she didn’t truly understand what was going on, she probably thought it was just like one of the fights she gets in at school, not a fight to prevent Tom Robinson from being lynched.

“All right, Mr.Finch get ’em outa here. You got fifteen seconds to get ’em outa here.”

Atticus stood there, looking at me, trying to make me change my mind and take Scout and Dill home.

“I ain’t going,” I answered boldly.

“Please Jem, take them home.”

Atticus seemed desperate to make us leave, to convince me to take Scout and Dill home, but I would not do it, I had my reasons for doing as I did.

Silence inside the jailhouse was suddenly broken by Scout.

“Hey, Mr.Cunningham.”

She had finally noticed Mr.Cunningham’s presence within the mob.

“Hey, Mr.Cunningham. How’s your entailment gettin’ along?”

Mr.Cunningham wore no hat, exposing the half of his white forehead in contrast with his sun-burnt face.

“Don’t you remember me, Mr.Cunningham? I’m Jean Louise Finch. You brought us some hickory nuts one time, remember? I go to school with Walter, he’s your boy, ain’t he? Ain’t he, sir?”

Mr. Cunningham nodded.

“He’s in my grade, and he does right well. He’s a good boy, a real nice boy. We brought him home for dinner one time. Maybe he told you about me, I beat him up one time but he was real nice about it. Tell him hey for me, won’t you?”

I didn’t understand what Scout was trying to do, but it seemed to work alright. Everyone seemed to be surprised at how confident Scout appeared while exposing Mr.Cunninghma in front of everyone. Most faces were filled with a sense of pity for Mr.Cunningham, who seemed very ashamed of himself.

“Well, Atticus, I was just sayin’ to Mr.Cunningham that entailments are bad an’ all that but you said not to worry, it takes a long time sometimes… that you all’d ride it out together…”

I noticed Scout was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

“What’s the matter?”

She received no answer. Then, something really unexpected happened, Mr.Cunnighmam squatted down and took Scout by both shoulders.

“I’ll tell him you said hey, little lady.”

Mr.Cunnigham straightened up, “Let’s clear out. Let’s get going, boys.”

I felt relieved and turned to look at Atticus who was leaning with his face against the jail’s wall. The ambient became more peaceful as those guys went further and further. That mob was simply comprised of individuals with mob mentality, who followed every decision taken by other members of their small group because they knew that they were better and more secure altogether than by themselves where they would get all of the blame for their actions. Mr.Cunningham was just one more of those individuals, but instead, he had taken a more merciful and human decision.

 

 

 

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