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“I said come here, [...], and busy up this chiffarobe for me, I gotta nickel for you. He coulda done it easy enough, he could. So he come in the yard an’ I went in the house to get him the nickel and I turned around an ‘force I knew it he was on me. Just run up behind me, he did. He got me round the neck. cussin’ me an’ sayin’ dirt—I fought’n’hollered, but he had me round the neck. He hit me agin an’ agin—“ (p.241)

This quote was said during Tom Robinson’s trial when Mayella Violet Ewell was on the witness stand. She told the court room that Tom Robinson had raped her November 21st the year before the trial. Ewell proceeded to share Robinson’s alleged actions.

This quote suggests the theme of prejudice as Ewell hesitates during her claim. Ewell’s hesitation suggests that this was a rehearsed lie made up before her trial, perhaps by her father as he ties in with the allegations she had shared in the court room. Ewell’s father is the only other person included in her story as he was supposedly there before the rape had occurred.

Ashley M.

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Words of the Wiser

"You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men.” Page 273.

The insight Atticus provided to the jury was that sometimes people cannot be trusted, no matter what race they are.

The life lesson is to learn that the world has many bad people who cannot be trusted and coloured people should not get blamed for bad actions since untrustworthy people can be any race.

Madison and Unique

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“A young girl walked to the witness stand. As she raised her hand and swore that the evidence she gave would be the truth,the whole truth,and nothing but truth so help her God,she seemed somehow fragile looking, but when she sat facing us in the witness chair she became what she was, a thick bodied girl accustomed to strenuous labour.

Chapter 18 page 239 (again and again)

What keeps coming up again and again? Mayella  Claims she is telling the true event “the evidence she gave is the truth,the whole truth,and nothing but the truth so help her God”. The author keeps on quoting this because Mayella is innocent.

The again and again signpost leads me to believe that mister Ewell will get in trouble for the crimes he committed and the justice will be servers over this incident.

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Aha Moment

“You’re left-handed, Mr. Ewell.”

The courtroom came to the realization that Mr. Ewell could have beat up Mayella since her attacker used their left hand.

This realization may be important to the story because it means Mr. Ewell may be guilty of beating Mayella. This could allow for Tom to be set free, since he is right-handed, while Mr. Ewell could be sent to jail for beating his daughter since he is left-handed.

Madison and Unique

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Contrast and Contradiction

"Aunt Alexandra was waiting up. She was in her dressing gown, and I could have sworn she had on her corset underneath it. “I’m sorry, brother,” she murmured. Having never heard her call Atticus “brother” before, I stole a glance at Jem, but he was not listening.” Pg. 284

I think that the unexpected action was Aunt Alexandra consulting Atticus as “brother”, because she usually does not acknowledge him in such a sympathetic way. Aunt Alexandra usually lectures Atticus on things that she thinks he does not do correctly, and never seems to speak to him in a kind voice. Therefore, it was unexpected for her to use such a calming voice and approachable language that made her seem sympathetic to the events that had occurred.

I can infer that Aunt Alexandra was feeling sorry for the conviction of Tom and the loss of Atticus’ case, so she was speaking to him in a calming and sorrowful way that showed she was there to comfort him. I think that even though she feels it is always her job to guide Atticus and his children, in this moment she realized that he needed to be comforted and wanted him to know he did good, even though he had lost.

Post by: Abbigale Dicarlo

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"I imagined a person facing me, went through a swift mental pantomime,  and concluded that he might have held her with his right hand and pounded her with his left." -p. 238

Scout was previously tracing evidence "and concluded" something after "a swift mental pantomime" that it could have been Mr. Ewell who beat Mayella.

It is solid evidence that Mr Ewell beat his daughter.  This could set Tom free and put Mr. Ewell in jail.

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“We know men are not created equal in the sense some people would have us believe-some people are smarter than others-some people have more opportunity because they’re born with it, some men make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others-some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of most men.”p 274

I think that I was told it would be a words of the wiser moment because because Atticus is inclusive in the quote, giving a variety of people and their differences. Atticus have the advice that everyone is different so skin colour should not matter. And that no matter what there is always an unequal balance.

The life lesson is that everyone is equal, this may affect Scout because she might start to see Atticus’ ways and begin to be more respectful towards black people. Allowing her to see how Atticus views the world could allow her to mature and also show jem and others that there is no difference between black and white, that they are just colours.
Jade Kowalski

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"Did you call a doctor sheriff? Did you call a doctor" asked Atticus "no sir" said Mr Tate. "Didnt call a doctor?" (Pg 224)
This was during the case where Atticus repeatedly asked Mr Tate about if he called a doctor and he kept replying no.
We infer that Atticus is repeating this to make it clear that he didnt call a doctor. This was important to the case because it helps Atticus prove that the situation was not handled properly.
Jamie & Jackson

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"But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal[...] in our court all men are created equal.”
The words leading up to us knowing that it would be a word of the wiser moment was when Atticus said “ but there is one way”. Atticus shared that they shouldn’t have a bias towards Tom because he is black. In the court he is an equal compared to Mr. Ewell and Mayella. (p. 274)

The life lesson is that all people are equal in court and outside of the court regardless of their race.  Everyone in the court room and the jury received this advice.

Published by: Jessica, Marnie, and Sabrina

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"Reverend Sykes leaned across Dill and me, pulling at Jem's elbow "Mr. Jem," he said, "you better take Miss Jean Louise home. Mr Jem, you hear me?"
Jem turned his head. "Scout, go home. Dill, you'n Scout go home."" (p. 231).

I think that the author keeps repeating the word "home" because she is trying to emphasize that Scout should not be present at the trial since there will be a graphic discussion about the rape of Mayella Ewell.

This signpost makes me think that Scout may become uncomfortable or troubled by what she is about to learn during the trial, which suggests her loss of innocence.

Post by: Miss Curtis