january 8,2009; themes

A theme that is shown throughout chapter 15 is courage and understanding. Scout, Jem and Dill show courage when they go to see where Atticus is. Scout shows courage when she runs to Atticus and breaks through the crowd of people that she does not know just to save Atticus. Jem shows courage when he stays at the jail when Atticus tells him to leave and take Scout and Dill with him. Atticus shows courage by being at the jail to defend Tom. Jem is understanding of Atticus, but he still will not do what he says. All of the men that were there that came out of the cars were understanding of Scout because they could tell that she was scared for Atticus so they left them alone. Everyone stands up for each other so courage shows up in the text all the time. The Finch family understands each other, so understanding has occurred before.

This chapter shows that Atticus is a brave man and he does what is right. He keeps his promises not matter how difficult it might be to do so. This chapter also shows how much Atticus cares for others by the way he is willing to get hurt or in danger for Tom, Scout, Jem and Dill. The Cunningham's know that the town has helped them and it is their own fault that they are where they are now. Mr. Cunningham knows that the Finch's help him out and if he hurt Mr. Finch or anyone involving him that they would not be the right thing to do. This shows that Mr. Cunningham is a good person and that he is capable of doing what is right.

january 7, 2009; in class.

Meaning behind the conversation between Atticus, Jem and Scout is that Jem and Scout have to grow up. They have to start to live up to their reputation as Finches. Aunt Alexandra told Atticus to talk to Jem and Scout and tell them to start acting like the lady and gentlemen that they are. When Scout says "it takes a woman to do that kind of work" she means that Atticus can not change them because he does not care about his reputation as much as a woman would. A woman could be more strict and rule enforcing, and Atticus could not tell them to change, so he defiantly could not make them change.

january 6, 2009; stages of morality

1.A stage of morality that Calpurnia and Scout follow is obedience. Obedience is when you do what you have to do to avoid punishment. Scout uses this when Aunt Alexandra tells her to come in and talk to people. She does not like talking to ladies or acting like them. Scout knows that if she does not talk to the women like Aunt Alexandra says then she will be in trouble. Calpurnia uses obedience when Aunt Alexandra tells her to pick up her bags and carry them up to her room. Calpurnia has to do what she is told even if it might be hard. If Cal does not do what she is told to do she could get fired.

3. Another stage of morality that is used in To Kill A Mockingbird is conformity. Conformity is when you do what you have to do to make other people pleased with you. Atticus uses conformity when Aunt Alexandra tells him to talk to Jem and Scout about the importance of Finches. She tells him that Jem and Scout have to start acting like the lady and gentlemen that they are. He does not think this is necessary because he thinks that his children are fine the way they are but he still tells Jem and Scout this to make Aunt Alexandra happy. Scout uses conformity when Atticus asks her if she is okay with Aunt Alexandra staying with them and she says that she is fine with it. She lies. She really does not like Aunt Alexandra but Atticus would be disappointed if she said that Aunt Alexandra could not stay there.

january 5, 2009; norms.

1. The norm Atticus follows the most is personal norms. A personal norm is a standard that you have about your own behavior. Atticus will not do certain things, not because someone told him not to, he just does not think some things are right to do. For example, Atticus stopped shooting because he did not think it was right to kill animals. When Jem and Scout got their air rifles for Christmas, Atticus told them that he would not teach them how to shoot. This was because he did not think shooting was right, therefore he followed a standard that he set for himself a long time ago when he was done being old one shot.

2. In part one of To Kill A Mockingbird, Mrs. Dubose, Jem and Scout all break implicit norms. An implicit norm is a norm that is not openly stated but no one usually does that. Mrs. Debouse breaks an implicit norm when she yells at Jem and Scout about their fathers decisions and that is not right to do. No one ever told her that what she is doing is not right but most adults do not do that. Scout breaks an implicit noun in part one when she beats up Walter in the very beginning. No one told her not to fight before that because the situation never occurred. Most children do not go around beating up other kids. Jem also breaks an implicit norm when he vandalizes Mrs. Dubose's lawn by ripping up all of her flowers. Jem and Scout we never told not to do that to people but again, most people do not go around doing that.