** sorry, I forgot page numbers on the last post so I re-posted it with the included page numbers
Chapter 14/15 “What caused the mob to form? To disperse? Why do people do things while part of a mob they would not do on their own? Why did Atticus respond to Jem the way he did?”
In Chapter 15, Atticus reads near the entrance to the Maycomb jail where he is approached by a mob. The mob’s purpose is to intimidate Atticus and hurt Tom Robinson. The men converse in front of the jail, “ “You know what we want,” another man said “Get aside from the door, Mr. Finch” --“You can turn around and go home, Walter,” Atticus said pleasantly.”” (p 202) In this scene, Atticus standing in front of the jail door symbolically represents his refusal to step down from his commitment to Tom Robinson and his moral standards. It is also interesting that Atticus stays calm in his resistance to the violent hatred. Atticus illustrates a moral courage as opposed to a typical symbol of combative courage. This scene corresponds with Atticus’ peaceful determination in the face of conflict throughout the book.
The mob feels obligated to act in a group because they feel intimidated by Atticus’ strength and resilience. This is supported when Scout comments “In obedience to my father, there followed what I later realized was a sickeningly comic aspect of an unfunny situation: the men talked in near-whispers”.(p 202) It is clear that the individuals in the mob are subconsciously anxious and easily subdued by Atticus’ firm position as they quickly obey Atticus’ command.
Later that night when Atticus and Jem walk home, Scout comments “Atticus and Jem were well ahead of us, and I assumed that Atticus was giving him hell for not going home, but I was wrong. As they passed under a streetlight, Atticus reached out and massaged Jem’s hair, his one gesture of affection.” (p 207) Despite Atticus’ superficial plea to send Jem home, Jem had stayed strong in the face of danger. Jem knew that it was important for him to stay and protect his father. Atticus was proud of Jem for standing strong in a strenuous situation. He recognizes that Jem was courageous to persist with his peaceful fight. Jem showed real courage; not just the ability to threaten with a gun, but sense of inner courage when it is not easy to act like a hero. The chapter concludes as Jem walks with his father alone on the street, a symbol of Jem’s maturity and coexistence with his father. It is clear that Jem has become mature enough to finally walk in the footsteps of his wise father.
Question: Do you think it is symbolic that Atticus is reading in front of the church? How does Scout differ from Jem? Is Jem still on the verge of maturity or has he completely embraced his independence?
First off, I agree with your analysis of the last sentance in chapter 15. Also I would like to add that this also shows the progression of Atticus' parenting skills, he has become more and more like a father figure rather than a plain, dry adult. In the begining of the book he was talking to his children like he was defending them in court, although he still does this, he has cutback on it. At this point in the story, he has become more approachable and open to his children. What do you think Atticus will be like, as a father figure, by the end of the book?
ReplyDeleteResponding to Nik's comment, I agree that Atticus has changed into a more ruling father, mostly because of Aunt Alexandra pressuring him to do so. Ever since Aunt Alexandra came to instill a "good" influence over the children, she has pressured Atticus to change his children's behavior which does not fit in with his morals. Also, recently (especially in chapter 15) he has shown different emotions that the kids had not seen before, such as fear when the group of strangers came to possibly beat him up. Scout ran to her father with confidence but saw the fear in his eyes and trembling hands, rendering her shocked and filled with helplessness in front of the strangers. So in response to Nik's question, I believe that the children will see all the sides to Atticus they had not seen up to this point as the story develops. However his morals will most likely stay strong and not give in to Aunt Alexandra's pestering on how he should act.
ReplyDeleteIn responding to Kristen's original question on whether Jem is still on the verge of maturity or if he has completely embraced his independence, I believe he has generally reached adulthood. He has firstly, become more distant from Scout, who is still more of a child, and furthermore grown apart from Dill, who was previously his best friend. Also, in the scene at the end of Chapter 15, Atticus and Jem are walking ahead of Dill and Scout, which subtly shows the separation between adulthood and childhood: Atticus and Jem, being more mature, and Dill and Scout who are still living in their "childhood". This raises the question on why Jem, it seems, has grown up so quickly, being as he is only twelve years old? Have the circumstances (such as their surroundings and the Tom Robinson trial) forced him to become more mature?
ReplyDeleteIn relation to the second paragraph of the post, I agree with Kristin that the will of the mob is weak. To have the beliefs of the numerous people in the mob falter against just Atticus's will shows how the individuals are unsure what to do. All it takes is Scout's outburst to drive them off. In this regard, Scout differs from Jem with her outright boldness, whether because she is too naive and inexperienced or if she truly believes her actions to be for the right cause. It's probable that she doesn't know enough yet to refrain from her impulses, but also believes that she acted right. Why do you think Scout acts so daringly as in the mob situation?
ReplyDeleteI think that Kristin makes some very good points. I agree that these strangers come in the form of a mob because they are scared and intimidated by Atticus, and they feel they will have more power as a group. I think that it is symbolic that many racist people, the mob, do not have as much power as the one who stands up against it, Atticus. This shows that although the rest of the town has an impact, and their racist comments last for a while, in the end, it is the impact of Atticus, the courageous one, which will outlast them all. I agree with Gaby that for the most part, Jem is a young adult now. He has become the voice of reason in Scout's life. And Scout is starting to understand that although she does not like the new Jem, he is here to stay, and she is on her own in her childish endeavors.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kristin's analysis. I would also like to further point out some important qualities of the mob that approached Atticus . The men who approached Atticus were plainly trembling in front of him and refused to carry out with their “operations” in the presence of children. In addition, these men politely whispered as to not to wake up Tom Robinson, the person they came to get, anyway. Their actions can be characterized with an overall lack of direct aggression, a clear recognition of the immoralities associated with the job they seek to carry out, and a definite determination and obligation to get the job done as painlessly as possible. It seems likely that these men feel Tom Robinson threatens their way of life and they are coming together to stop him once and for all. This Maycomb mob has no intention to hurt Atticus and the kids in any way, but feels that it is best for the community for them to destroy any threat to the county (Tom Robinson). They tremble because they feel it is best the threat to their way of life be destroyed, but fear what this obligatory feeling will bring them to do. The mob’s intended purpose is protection more than the destruction often associated with mobs.
ReplyDelete