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. 

A Day in Someone Else's Shoes

The euphoric sensation of that magic yellow pill inching its way down my throat is the only thing in my life that can assuage the pain in my soul. My name is Patricia Parkins, most people know me, as Dusty, and I am addicted to Oxy- Contin and methamphetamine. My drugs are expensive so to pay for them I sell my body to strangers for money. I am a prostitute.  

At the age of 20, life for me consists of painful withdrawals throughout the day, alleviated only by that ever so helpful dose of medication that brings me back to my version of reality. My day doesn’t begin until I intake a couple of Oxys, which are always on my bedside table. I then drag myself out of bed and take a shower, which is painful since I have neither heat nor hot water.  I get out and pound on my Dollar-Tree make up, and squeeze into my work clothes and slide on my   cheap high heels.  I look in the mirror as I was I’m about to walk out the door and all I see is a drained face covered in makeup and a soul dying to be released. I think to myself what ever happened to that A+ student? Why did I turn into? Who did I change for?  Could I ever change?

The first steps are always the worst. As I’m walking out of my apartment, all I think about is how I need to make money today and how it is crucial for today’s drugs. I get to the club and try to find someone who pays big money.  Most days, like today are failures, which leads me to be behind in paying the bills and a shortage of my med’s, which leads to more withdrawals and weeks full of agonizing pain. As the day ends, I walk home to my apartment, and swallow a few more Oxys so my body will continue to cooperate with me. My existence is one of the biggest regrets I have.  My life is a reoccurring mistake that I can control, but since I choose not to, is another factor to my corrupted life style. I have no secrets my life is an open book that everyone has read and looks down upon. Living life through my perspective would make anyone grateful for their own.  The thing us humans call life, isn’t what its cracked up to be, in my eyes its a bottomless pit of black with no hope, either way I go I fail.

Chapters 3+4 TKAM Reflection on Jem

In the Novel “To kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, a character named Jem, plays a major role as leader of the group.  Jem’s character interests me for he shows great measures of courage, and empathy.  Another reason I love this character is because he makes me think and wonder why there aren’t more people like him in the world.  At this point in the novel I have many questions about Jem’s character; what influences him?, why is he protective of scout? 

I believe there is a Jem in everyone and that everyone has an adventurous side to him or her, and can also have empathetic and calm moments. For instance, when Dill was daring Jem to touch the Radley’s house, he indeed “threw open the gates and sped to the side of the house slapped it with his palm and ran back past us” (15). This exemplifies that even though Jem was scared to death about going near the criminals, he wanted to keep the leader position, and therefore he completed the dare, without getting hurt. This also shows how he is hungry for adventure and will do whatever it takes, to fill this need.  Jem has a myriad of motivations, and motivators’, which will no doubt become more evident as the novel progresses.

I anticipate that Jem will go through many changes throughout the book, and will become a more loving and stronger person as a result. I see this character as the peacemaker, he will be leading this group of his and create harmony between his family and friends. The changes Jem will undergo throughout this novel, will eventually clarify why he broke his arm. I believe everything that one says or does impacts their future in some way.

Chapters 1+2 TKAM

In the novel “To kill a Mockingbird” By Harper Lee, the first chapter discusses a lot about a character named Author Radley, also known as Boo. I was wondering why the author would add this character into the novel? What does he symbolize? Is he supposed to resemble Harper Lee in any way? 

For instance, when Jem questioned Miss Stephanie about Boo, she told him “Boo drove the scissors into his parents leg, and pulled them out, wiped them on his pants and resumes his activities” (11). This passage really confused me because; the neighbour’s don’t know the whole story, this is true because he doesn't come out of his house, the only way to figure out the whole story is to ask the culprit. This also shows that the neighbour’s don’t show any empathy for Boo, which results in the solidarity of Boo. Another example, is when Radley was walked by the finches house, Calpurnia said “There goes the meanest man ever god blew breath into” (12).  This demonstrates what people see him as, most of the neighbours see him as a devil, or in other words, a person who is all bad. 

Dream take aways

This project has taught me lessons that I will use for the rest of my life. I have learned that dreams give people purpose.  They help people focus on what they want, they provide motivation, and clarify desires.  This project really stressed the fact that dreams, weather big or small can be achieved through hard work and perseverance.  Prior to this project I believed that dreams were simply hopes and desires that people had.  After I finished the project I realized how dreams can actually be achieved and how vital they are to ones success. Motivation is also a main contributor in achieving goals, because it gives people the drive to do well and strive for the best. Lastly, I have learned that setting goals gives you clarity for your future. If you have no goals, life is a matter of waiting for opportunities to come to you, when you could be going to them. This project has reinforced the fact that through hard work your dreams comes true.

The $100,000 lottery win

Winning the lottery would be exhilarating. I would feel as if I was on top of the world.  I would also feel more confident about my future.  I would feel as if I could do whatever I wanted whenever I want without worrying about the expense.  The resulting confidence would bring a feeling of ease and would reduce some of life’s complications. Winning the lottery would bring all these feelings and emotions of happiness into daily life.

If my family won the lottery we would save most of it for future expenses and expeditions, but would we would use some for fun and excitement now.  Some of the winnings would go towards a college funds for my brothers and I. As well as spending some on vacations, phones, clothes, boats, and an endless myriad of fun exciting activities. My life would be much more stimulating and my days would be filled with more appealing events and have much more variety if my family won the lottery.

Winning the lottery is not always the best thing that could happen to a family though.  It can ruin a life just as easily as it can save one. To begin with, we could all end up fighting about how to spend the money. My brothers would want to spend it on vacations, my parents would want to put it towards savings, and I would want to buy clothes. In addition to the fighting, family friends and neighbors may become jealous and relationships with friends may change.  With jealously comes greed, and greed would lead to being taken advantage of even by the ones that you thought you trusted. Living the life of a lottery winner isn’t the best dream for your life; it comes with many problems that could bring devastating change to the people in your life.