Aunt Alexandra's character in To Kill a Mockingbird is very proud and close minded. She decides it would be best for her to stay with Atticus, Jem and Scout, as she believes a strong female presence in Scout's life would help in shaping her into a proper young lady in Maycomb's society. Aunt Alexandra's character is quite the popular woman as seen in chapter 13, when "Miss Maudie Atkinson baked a Lane cake so loaded with shiny it made me tight; Miss Stephanie Crawford had long visits with Aunt Alexandra", "Miss Rachel next door had Aunty over for coffee in the afternoons", and "Mr Nathan Radley went so far as to come up in the front yard and say he was glad to see her". Considering Aunt Alexandra is a socialite in Maycomb, it is understandable that she would want Scout to be like her in the future. Scout may think that Aunt Alexandra is this horrible woman, but her intentions are good as she only wants her to a respectable young woman.
Throughout these chapters, the trial of Tom Robinson takes place, and we learn and understand more of his character. Before the trial, many opinions are shared about Tom Robinson, but as it commences, you see the true side of Tom Robinson. During his testimony, you also see that Tom Robinson is also a warmhearted man when he says, "I was just tryin' to help her out, suh." Even though Tom said many things in his testimony, Mayella Ewell did as well, so in the end its his word against hers. Its very likely that even though Tom's side is the stronger argument, Mayella will win due to the prejudice in the community of black people.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 12-20 - Visual Representation
The image above represents Scout and her place in the novel with black and white people. It shows that she is an unbiased character in the novel as she takes in both perspectives in problems before judging. Being unbiased is very important especially in the chapters in which the trial of Tom Robinson.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 9-11 - Paragraph 1 and 2
"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." This quote from chapter 10, said by Miss Maudie, is used after Jem and Scout are given their guns. In the novel, the mockingbird is a symbol of innocence. Atticus and Miss Maudie find it very important not to shoot the mockingbirds because they have done nothing wrong, and don't deserve to be punished. The mockingbird symbol is also represents some of the characters in the novel. For example, Boo Radley can be seen as a mockingbird, as he has tried many times to prove he is a good person, but is still seen as a bad person for what he may have done in the past. The mockingbird symbol representing innocence will most likely to continue to be an important theme in the novel.
Even though Atticus may be perceived as just a man of great intelligence and with a kind heart, he is much more. In chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is not only seen as what was described earlier, but also as a courageous and brave man. When Calpurnia sees Tim Johnson, she runs into the house with the 2 children, picks up the telephone and calls Atticus immediately to come home. This suggests that the community seeks and depends on Atticus for protection and help in difficult situations. Once the situation is dealt with, Scout's opinion of Atticus changes drastically into a man with much more courage and bravery, even though Atticus believes that courage is gained in other ways, not by having weapons.
Even though Atticus may be perceived as just a man of great intelligence and with a kind heart, he is much more. In chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is not only seen as what was described earlier, but also as a courageous and brave man. When Calpurnia sees Tim Johnson, she runs into the house with the 2 children, picks up the telephone and calls Atticus immediately to come home. This suggests that the community seeks and depends on Atticus for protection and help in difficult situations. Once the situation is dealt with, Scout's opinion of Atticus changes drastically into a man with much more courage and bravery, even though Atticus believes that courage is gained in other ways, not by having weapons.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 9-11 - Visual Representation
The image I chose is of a white camellia, which I see to be a metaphoric representation. The camellia is the flower that Mrs. Dubose gave to Jem after she passed away. I find it to be metaphoric because it represents the "good" side of Mrs. Dubose that may not have been quite understood by some characters such as Jem.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 1-8 - Visual Representation
The image I chose is of a pyramid of people, which I found to be a symbolic representation of the first 8 chapters. To me, it symbolizes the social standings in Maycomb where the rich and well-off are at the top, and the poor at the bottom.
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 1-8 - Paragraph 1 and 2
Daughter of Atticus Finch, Jean Louise, also known as Scout, portrays a very amusing and interesting character in Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird". In the first 8 chapters, Scout appear to be a smart, innocent, tough, and curious little girl who is not like many in the small town of Maycomb. She was brought up to have much individuality and to be herself without following all of the unwritten rules the society of Maycomb has. Not like other girls, Scout is a tomboy that prefers to hang out with her brother and friend Dill over playing dress-up and dolls like most young girls. In being the youngest of the 3, she gets influenced into doing things she would normally not do such as going over to the Radley's house, which suggests that Scout is quite vulnerable in situations.
It is evident from early in the novel that social status is a very important value to many in the community. Clearly from the beginning, the Finch family is positioned at the top of the social pyramid, followed by majority of the population of Maycomb. Below the townspeople, are many lower class families such as the Cunninghams which make a living off of farming, followed by the Ewells. Although it is not explicitly revealed that the Cunninghams and Ewells are near the bottom of the pyramid, it can be inferred by they way characters such as Walter Cunningham presents himself physically as well as with his diction in chapter 2. For example, narrated by Scout, "Walter poured syrup on his vegetables and meat with a generous hand", later followed by Calpurnia saying, "There's some folks who don't eat like us". Social status is important in the society and will most likely continue to be an important theme throughout the rest of the novel.
It is evident from early in the novel that social status is a very important value to many in the community. Clearly from the beginning, the Finch family is positioned at the top of the social pyramid, followed by majority of the population of Maycomb. Below the townspeople, are many lower class families such as the Cunninghams which make a living off of farming, followed by the Ewells. Although it is not explicitly revealed that the Cunninghams and Ewells are near the bottom of the pyramid, it can be inferred by they way characters such as Walter Cunningham presents himself physically as well as with his diction in chapter 2. For example, narrated by Scout, "Walter poured syrup on his vegetables and meat with a generous hand", later followed by Calpurnia saying, "There's some folks who don't eat like us". Social status is important in the society and will most likely continue to be an important theme throughout the rest of the novel.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
The Loons Paragraph 1 and 2
In the short story, The Loons, diction is used to convey different characters. The main reasons for the diction is to create specific distinction between certain characters, which in this short story, are Piquette and Vanessa. From the beginning of the story, Vanessa has been judgemental about many things including who Piquette is, even before knowing her, for example, she refers to Piquette and her family as "halfbreeds". Vanessa's diction is almost as if she were talking down to Piquette. ON the other hand, Piquette's diction is very improper, as suggested, when she says things like, "I don't know what in hell you're talkin' about" or "You nuts of somethin'?". This suggests that she was brought up in a very different family with very different views. The diction in this story is very important in creating contrasting characters.
Throughout the short story The Loons, foreshadowing occurred. Specifically, the loons foreshadowed what would eventually happen not only to Piquette, but also to the Metis people. When Vanessa first introduced the loons, she says, "There's loons here, on this lake. ...my dad says we should listen and try to remember how they sound, because in a few years when more cottages are built at Diamond Lake and more people come in, the loons will go away." This is foreshadowing, because later in the story, Piquette ends up dying, which was foreshadowing when Vanessa said, "...the loons will go away". This quote from the story could also be referring the the Metis' culture being lost as it is represented in Piquette with her change in diction after she met the man she later wedded. The use of foreshadowing in The Loons is utilized well and is an effective way of warning the readers of future events.
Throughout the short story The Loons, foreshadowing occurred. Specifically, the loons foreshadowed what would eventually happen not only to Piquette, but also to the Metis people. When Vanessa first introduced the loons, she says, "There's loons here, on this lake. ...my dad says we should listen and try to remember how they sound, because in a few years when more cottages are built at Diamond Lake and more people come in, the loons will go away." This is foreshadowing, because later in the story, Piquette ends up dying, which was foreshadowing when Vanessa said, "...the loons will go away". This quote from the story could also be referring the the Metis' culture being lost as it is represented in Piquette with her change in diction after she met the man she later wedded. The use of foreshadowing in The Loons is utilized well and is an effective way of warning the readers of future events.
The Loons Visual Representation
http://www.pxlshots.com/photo/12006/Red-Feather-.html
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Blog Entry 1 - A Little About Myself
Hi! My name is Kristen, and in this first blog entry, I will discuss many of my interests/hobbies, goals for this year of English, and why I like and dislike English. To start, one of my favourite activities to do is dance. I am currently taking tap and ballet. In addition to these regular dance classes, I am also involved in the competitive dance program at my studio - this means that I get to compete in various competitions around Alberta against other competitive dancers. This year, I am also taking part in a trip with my dance studio to perform in Disneyland over Spring Break. Another interest of mine is hanging out with my friends. When we are together we always laugh and have tons of fun no matter what we do together (often shopping, seeing movies, baking, etc). My friends and I always tell each other EVERYTHING, and we know that our secrets are safe with each other no matter what.
I enjoy English because I love to read, (but not aloud!) I also enjoy examining poetry and doing creative projects. The only part of English I don't like is reading literature in Old English (mainly because I find it difficult to understand sometimes) and reading aloud.
My goals for English 10 this year are to pass the class with a mark over 90% and to increase my ability to comprehend literature. I will achieve my goal of receiving a mark over 90% by working hard on projects/assignments and really focusing on concepts we learn in class. I will also achieve my goal of being able to comprehend literature better by practicing in class and at home, using techniques learned in class and communicating with others and discussing elements of the literature that are unclear.
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