Arthur's Journal Part 2

Watching from the highest window in my humble abode, I see the same two children who I see very often in these parts, tussling on the ground with some man. Who this man was, I have no idea but he seemed to be unsteady and unsure of what he was doing with his body.  But like I said I have no idea who he is, so how could I be put into this situation.  I keep watching these children struggle, and then I decide its time to venture out of my comfortable house to save someone who is familiar to me. Many things race through my mind as I dart down the stairs. What if these kids think I will hurt them too? Will they let me help them? Will they hate me? I disregarded these pessimistic thoughts for there are kids in need.  Scooping the children in my arms I feel a sense of relief spread through my body, and my apprehension subsides.

Once I saw the boy, who I would soon call Jem, safe inside his home, I felt I had accomplished something.  I had taken a stand against the prejudices that people have against me, which made me feel empowered. Leaving my house was easier than it seemed.  For such a long time, I had longed to have a reason to leave and feel part of something.  I set Jem down in his bed and stand in the corner, not wanting to take up any needed space in the room. Watching Jem’s motionless body made me feel similar to how society views me.  My presence in Maycomb was like Jem’s motionless body, something that causes commotion but doesn’t move nor hurt anything.

The minutes go by like an eternity, but in a good way, I have enjoyed this time. During my excursion I met the little girl that I often see with Jem.  Her name is Scout, when I first saw her up-close she pointed at me and said “hey Boo”.  I knew that Boo was a name that I had acquired in the neighborhood, and that the community started rumours about me with out ever speaking a word to me.  I realized that once I had found the courage to venture out into humanity that gossip would flourish, but now I knew that it didn’t matter.  It had given me the chance to meet and help these kids.  Scout calling me Boo didn’t hurt and during our conversation she adjusted to calling me Arthur.  As her level of maturity rose by calling me by my proper name, I asked her to escort me home. We linked arms and she walked me home.  I didn’t know that that would be the last time I saw these fascinating children up close. Walking back into my house I felt more welcome in the neighborhood and less judged by the outside world.  I had a great feeling that I may have persuaded, at least a few people, that although a recluse, deep I am an innocent human being who just likes the comfort of their home, which society should accept. 

Chapters 26 & 27 TKAM

Chapters 26 and 27 of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, describe what the town is like after the whole Tom Robinson case. Since Tom Robinson’s death it seems that there had been no change in the people of the town, which is confusing, because the entire town watched the court proceedings so closely. Why does the town not seem to care or have any philosophical changed as a result of Tom’s death?  The only person who does seem to care is Mr. Link.  In chapter 27, Mr. Link employs Mrs. Robinson as a cook, even though she wasn’t required, so she would have a job and be able to feed her family. Not only did Mr. Link employ her, he protected her too.  When he said “First thing you can do, Ewell, is get your stinkin’ carcass off my property. You’re leanin’ on it an’ I can’t afford fresh paint for it.  Second thing you can do is stay away from my cook or ill have you up for assault.” (249). This shows that since the town will no longer care for the Robinsons, Mr. Link will. Also this shows that Mr. Link can be connected to a Mockingbird, that he only does good.

This book is starting to come together for me and starting to making more sense.  Jem has started to feel much more empathy, while Scout has not. For example, at the end of chapter 26, Lee writes, “Jem understood school things better.”(247). This, and other events and quotes prove that Jem has begun to grow up and is starting to resemble Atticus.

Chapters 22 - 25 TKAM

In chapters 22 through 25 of  “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, many crucial events happen that illustrate the book main theme and social importance. In these chapters the mood is set as the characters are emotionally distraught by the fact that Tom Robinson was found guilty.  Atticus had represented him to the best of his ability, which was indeed superior as indicated throughout the trial.  Regardless of Atticus’ hard work Tom was still found guilty because he was black.  The outcome did not surprise me because it was the norm to discriminate against black people during this time period. But what shocked me was when Tom Robinson was shot.

When Atticus called everyone into the family room for an announcement, which was, “He was running. It was during their exercise period. They said he just broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and started to climb over, right in front of them”(235). This statement tells us that Tom Robinson is dead and that he was going mentally insane from his confinement.  His attempt to run confuses me because if someone were trying to escape wouldn’t they try to run away and not towards the people who would prevent them from escaping? It also confuses me that he didn’t devise a plan to escape rather than randomly attempting to escape with many witnesses.  I understand that Lee may have been portraying Tom as mad with rage at how he was treated by society and his death represented what would happen if anyone speaks out against racism.   I was also curious why the guards didn’t prevent him from running and warn him not to rather than just shooting at him and killing him. The guards represent society and shows how non-empathetic and callous the world can be.  The death of Tom is very sad and Harper Lee shows us how revolting racism really is.  The use of the trial was a great way for the novel to show both sides of the race issue, but the end result, Tom’s death, illustrates how unethical social morals can ruin a society.  The town is torn between Tom’s innocence or guilt and people are arguing including Ms. Maudi and Ms Merriweather and the town paper backs Atticus’s defense and slams racism. Racism causes a lot of problems and death and unhappiness.

  

Heinz Moral Dilemna

I am here to represent Mr. Heinz as his defense attorney and provide you with the facts. As you can see this man has many feelings for his wife, he loves her immeasurably, as any husband may love their wife, but Mr. Heinz has shown his love in a very different way.  Mr. Heinz, stole medicine to help save his wife’s life, which, under the circumstances I believe was ethical and just and think that you will all agree.  Mr. Heinz tried everything he could think of prior to stealing the medicine.  His wife was on his deathbed, she needed the medication and he could not afford it.  It is an appalling healthcare system that has the medicine to save someone but refuses to let patients have it due to their inability to pay.  The druggist should have allowed Mr. Heinz to pay for the medication over time, as any ethical and empathetic person would have. Have you ever not had enough money for something you absolutely needed? Have you been denied assistance and left without an option?

Do you agree that the job of a druggist is to manufacture medicine to help people and save lives? What is the point at the end of the day, just to make a profit? If you were the druggist would you have given Mr. Heinz the drug or not? If you chose not to would feel guilt for letting someone die?  What if you were losing a lot of blood and you went to the hospital and they told you that they didn’t have any room for somebody who couldn’t pay and you died?  What lengths would you go for someone you loved?  Mr. Heinz was left without an option to obtain the expensive drug which he knew cost much less to manufacture that the $2000 price tag.  The druggist demanding such a profit on the drug at the expense of his wife’s life was unacceptable to Mr. Heinz , as it would be to any ethical and sympathetic person like yourselves.

Mr. Heinz’s  wife was on her deathbed, suffering from a rare kind of cancer.  They had tried everything and this medication was their last hope for a miracle that could save her life.  Mr. Heinz had offered the druggist $1000, half of the total cost of the drug, but the druggist refused to sell it. People of the jury, can’t you see that this innocent man’s intention was to save the life of someone he loves. When faced with such a circumstance, any of you would have made the same choice.  Have you ever made a decision in your life that although for a good reason, could have resulted in your incarceration?  Have you ever made a mistake that you learned from and that made you a better person? Don’t you agree that this should be a lesson that Mr. Heinz could learn from and find a way to raise the money to pay the druggist? You do you want to be the responsible for the death of his wife and Mr. Heinz going to prison too? Thank you very much members of the jury, please consider your decision and respond in favor of compassion.

Rhetorical Triangle: Oxy Clean

In the Billy Mays advertisement for OxiClean detergent ball, also known as “The Ball”, Billy uses the Rhetorical Triangle. The purpose of the rhetorical triangle in this commercial is to persuade the consumers that this product really works, and that they should own it. This commercial uses both pathos and logos, in various parts of the video. Pathos is a part of the rhetorical triangle that is used to persuade people into doing and buying stuff emotionally. For example, in the beginning of the video it has many different people saying, “I’m on the ball” and then having May say “Are you on the ball?” Having this in the video is suppose to show consumers that the people that have this product are doing well and that they need to own it in order to do well too. Also in the beginning of the video it says, “laundry just got easier” which also is trying to show that if you buy this product, laundry will be easy enough for your children to do and you won’t have to worry about it at all anymore. This video also uses logos, which is rhetorical truth and fact. For example, this video uses logos when Bill Mays is asked how should they use it and how to set it up, and he says “all you do is pop in a ball then close the latch then throw it in the washer!” This is fact and logic because that is really all the consumer would have to do in order for the product to work. 

Oxyclean!

Chapters 20+21 TKAM

Chapters 20 and 21 of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee divulges the final stages of the trial. Atticus makes his closing statement in chapter 20 where he makes a reference to Thomas Jefferson’s equality quote, and states that it is over used, but says “… there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller and the stupid man the equal of an Einstein … that institution gentlemen, is a court.  In our courts all men are created equal.” (205). Atticus stressed the issue that the only reason why this trial is even taking place is because Tom Robinson is black.  He states that it is normal for any man to look at a woman with desire, but if a black person does it, they are taken to court.  It is actually really interesting to visualize and compare the difference between the prejudice town’s people and Atticus’ compassion and empathy.  Atticus’ mind set is so contrasting to everyone else’s during this time period.

Another thing that really interested me during the closing statement was when Atticus did something completely usual.  When Atticus is about to give his closing statement to the jury, “Atticus paused, then he did something that he didn’t ordinarily do. He unhitched his watch and his chain and put it on the table.”(202). He continued on and loosened his tie and shirt, something that he had never done anywhere before.  This confused me and I wondered why he would do this, and what it represented, but I think it may be that he wanted to show the jury that yes, it was ok to do something out of the ordinary without to much repercussion.  The jury should acquit the black man of this unjust proceeding and do the right thing and let him go home

Chapters 18+19 TKAM

Chapters 18 and 19 of  “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee illustrates the majority of the trial proceedings. These dramatic chapters are crucial to the plot and advancement of the story because it is the main premise of the novel and demonstrates the empathy that the readers and the courtroom viewers are starting to feel for Tom Robinson. At the same time there are many interesting points that are introduced that kept me hooked into the reading, the more I read, the more I was intrigued by what was happening. I started to question the purpose of instigating the whole rape situation. Why would she start this all? What are the charges for lying under an oath? Is Scout starting to feel empathy for Tom Robinson?

I began feeling the stirrings of empathy for Tom Robinson.  I started to feel sympathy for his situation similar to when Scout started to feel empathy for him at the end of chapter 19.  For example, when Mr. Gilmer was questioning Tom Robinson during his cross-examination, and asks,  “So your saying you did all of this chopping and work from sheer goodness?” (197). This shows that Mr. Glimmer is certainty not feeling a smidgeon of empathy for Tom Robinson, as a prosecuting attorney might, and proves that there is another person who does not believe the truth coming from Tom’s defense. Another quote that demonstrates lack empathy for Tom is when Dill was taken out of the courtroom and Scout said, “After all he’s just a Negro.” (199). This statement by Scout lessens the respect that Dill and herself will show to Tom Robinson and it also shows the injustice and racism that is still exists in the world. The injustice that is depicted shows that being a Negro decreases your status and the empathy that a person of color receives. 

Chapters 16+17 TKAM

In chapters 16 and 17 of “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, we are introduced to the case that Atticus is trying to prove; which is that Tom Robinson did not rape Mayella Ewell.  There are a few confusing things that happen in these chapters. Why did Atticus question every witness about where and what kind of injuries Mayella suffered? Why didn’t they call a doctor? Will this help further prove his side of the case? Will he win?

Chapter 17 was the commencement of the trial with the introduction of Mr. Tate and Mr. Ewell who were both witnesses to the rape of Mayella Ewell. For example when Mr. Tate was being questioned, one of the questions Atticus asked was “Did you call a doctor, Sheriff? Did anybody call a doctor?” (Lee 167). This is the first witness Atticus posed this question to, but not the last. The next witness, after Mr. Tate, was Mr. Ewell who was interrogated in the same vien. For example when Mr. Ewell’s examination was coming to a close Atticus stepped in and asked Mr. Ewell, “Did you not think the nature of her injuries warranted immediate medical attention?” (Lee 175). Having the same question for both witnesses implies that this will be a reoccurring issue in the trial and that it will indeed help further prove Atticus’s point in the case.  Overall I believe having Atticus defend Tom Robinson in this case reveals that he will be a peacemaker. His authoritative stature in the town demands respect and his empathy for Tom Robinson will show the community what is right and just.

Chapters 13+14 TKAM

Several things confused me in chapters 13 and 14 of “To Kill a Mockingbird”. The most confusing to me was why Atticus allowed Aunt Alexandra into their home to stay for such a long time. What made him say yes?  Will she ever leave?  What will happen next?  Will Scout become more girlish with the help of Aunt Alexandra?  Why is Atticus so fidgety when he tells Jem and Scout about what happened? Why did she move in so abruptly?

Most of my questions arise in chapter 13, when Aunt Alexandra unexpectedly arrives at the Finch home. For instance, when she shows up she says, “Well your father and I decided it was time I came to stay with you for a while “(127). This makes me question if it really was Atticus’ decision and why he would ask her, and in whose best interest it was, for Scout? Atticus has raised his kids to believe that they can be whatever they choose to be, so if Scout wants to be and act like a boy then let her, and having Aunt Alexandra here is hurting Scout. Scout and Jem see Aunt Alexandra as an obstacle and since she objects to Atticus’ parenting style they will have to thwart her influence, and find a way to make her leave.

Another thing that confused me about the Aunt Alexandra situation was when Atticus sat the children down in their rooms and had a discussion about what was going to happen.  During this talk, Scout was rubbing the comb on the dresser she thought, “ This is not my father. My father never thought these thoughts. My father never spoke so. Aunt Alexandra had put him up to this”(134). This quote describes my view of this situation, I believe that having Alexandra at the Finches house will disrupt Atticus’s parenting style and will turn the kids into people like her. Overall, the situation with Aunt Alexandra still confuses me, because Aunt Alexandra is certainly not feeling empathy towards Atticus and Scout when she comes in and tries to “fix” the Finch family”.  Hopefully, the reason for allowing her in will become more evident later in then novel.

Chapters 11+12 TKAM

Chapters 11 and 12 of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, discusses Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose, a very sickly old lady. The beginning of chapter 11 provides an example of how rude Mrs. Dubose can be, and Jem’s reaction to her character.  Scout describes his feelings about Mrs. Dubose when he says, “ Jem and I hated her. If she was on the porch when we passed, we would be raked by her wrathful graze, subjected to ruthless interrogation regarding our behaviour” (99). This makes her feelings towards this woman quite apparent. Scout and Jem go into town frequently and really can’t get there without passing her house, unless they walk a mile out of the way, so if they need to be on better terms with Mrs. Dubose, and they should do this through being more empathetic and as Atticus would say; walk around in their skin.

Although Mrs. Dubose is a sassy old woman, she is going through tremendous pain for she is very ill. If Jem and Scout felt more empathic towards her as a person and understood the pain she’s going through, that would change their view of Mrs. Dubose dramatically.  For instance, when Atticus finds out about what Jem did to Mrs Dubose’s house, he says, “ Jem, she’s old and ill, you can’t hold her responsible for what she says or does.”(105). This shows that Jem doesn’t understand where she’s coming from but Atticus knows exactly what she’s going through and knows how to help when Jem is only making it worse, by giving her more stress. This further proves that in order to establish a good relationship with someone you need to understand their background and experiences before making a judgement or worse, getting angry and revengeful.

Scout’s experience with Mrs. Dubose connects to something that has happened to me with a neighbor of ours. One day, when I was 8, I was walking my dog Lucky and I passed a house that I didn’t know and they were watching me and Lucky intently. When my dog leaned over to pee on their tree, which was relatively close to the street, they bolted out and started to yell at my dog and me, and I was only 8. This is similar because all I was doing was walking my dog and all Scout was doing was walking to the town. Both of us, as innocent individuals, suffered the wrath of an unfamiliar person berating us. In retrospect, if I had understood more about the person who yelled at me, it may have been more clear why they would be so upset about my dog, just like if Scout knew more about Mrs. Dubose’s circumstances she would have been more understanding.

Chapters 9+10 TKAM

At the beginning of the novel I was unclear what the title, “To Kill a Mockingbird” meant.  These chapters gave me a little more information about mockingbirds, which may eventually lead to deciphering exactly what the title has to do with the novel.  In chapter ten, Atticus, explains to Scout and Jem that mockingbirds are not to be targeted by their rifles.  When Scout asks Miss Maudie why she answers, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s garden’s, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us” (90).  Here, Maudie tells us that mockingbirds should be highly regarded and protected, as their life’s accomplishment is to make others happy.  This made me think deeper and led me to reflect that Arthur Radley resembles a mockingbird which is depicted through his kind gestures, such as the stitching of the pants, and the blanket that he put on Scout. I think this identity will become more evident throughout the rest of the novel, and that Arthur Radley may be the Mockingbird that the title is referring to.  

Chapters 7+8 TKAM

The encounter with Author Radley is reminiscent of a similar event in my life. In the novel, when Jem was finally telling Scout why he had been quiet, “When I went back, they were folded across the fence… Like they were expecting me” (58).  This quote connects to my life by bringing back a memory of a level 3 sex offender living on my street when I was younger.   My mother and father had put the fear of God in us to stay away from him and indeed question the motives of any stranger.  We were very afraid to walk or ride bikes past his house and because of this we couldn’t get to my cousin’s house.  One day, I saw him walking past our house and ominously he stopped and starred at our windows for what seemed like an eternity.  My situation and Jem’s closely resembled one another and the terror possibly identical. Encounters like these can change peoples lives by the realization that people can cause you harm and you start to question your security.   I feel empathy for Jem, as I have been in a similar situation and it still haunts me. 

Chapters 5+6 TKAM

“We can understand others better by considering their experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives.”

Chapters 5 and 6 of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, discusses and illustrates how this quote can affect ones life. For instance, when Miss Maudie was talking to Scout, she said, “ Things that happen to people we never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets…“(46). This quote connects to the statement because people never know what really has happened to Boo throughout his life. In other words they don’t understand the hardships that Boo has had to endure, nor do they know about his backgrounds. This reflects on the world when people make assumptions about others without getting to know them.  Considering people’s experiences enables you to understand them as a person and how you should relate to them. Another connection to this statement is when Atticus was telling Scout “You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view”(30). This exemplifies Atticus’ view regarding Boo Radley myths.  Atticus believes that even when everyone believes they have Boo Radley figured out, they really don’t because they don’t have the same perspective on life that Boo does. This connects to the world through people making premature judgements of people. People should really stop and think how the others person’s view of the topic is shaped by their background and experiences.