Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Chapter 9 Questions

1. Why does Atticus feel he should defend Tom Robinson? Is it unusual for (white) lawyers to do their best for black clients in Alabama during this time period?

2. Scout and Jem have "mixed feelings" about Christmas. What are these feelings and why do they feel this way?

3. Uncle Jack Finch tells Scout that she is growing out of her pants. What does he mean and why might he say it?

4. Describe Aunt Alexandra and explain her negative feelings about Scout. How does Aunt Alexandra perpetuate (promote and continue) stereotypes?

9 comments:

maryam2412 said...

Question #4
Chapter 9

Aunt Alexandra is very moralistic, opinionated, and very proper. She fits in the stereotype of a well-mannered girly girl. She disapproves of Scout because she is a tomboy with different interests than her Aunt has. Aunt Alexandra believes that all girls should wear dresses and have wonderful manners. Another cause why Scout doesn’t fit the girly stereotype is that she enjoys wearing overalls instead of dresses. Furthermore Scout has poor manners and is out-spoken

Igalb said...

I think that atticus should defend Tom Robinson because he feels that Tom isn't any different from anyone else. He also feel's that Tom is innocent and is being falsely accused. It is definatly unusual for white lawyers to do their best for black clients because of all the racism going on. The white lawyers think that just because they are black they shouldnt deserve the help from them. Thats why Atticus is a wise person and treats everyone fair.

Unknown said...

1. Atticus feels he should defend tom Robinson, because he believes in equality and also he believes that he will net be respected if he does not (he doesn’t believe that he can even tell his children what to do any more). Another part in the book states that Atticus believes that all lawyers face an extremely tough case at least once in a life time and this is his, which he must face and overcome. Atticus fells that he is not only defending Rom Robinson, but also the pride and reputation of him self.

2. Scout and Jem have mixed feeling about Christmas, because Uncle Jack would spend a week with them (good part) and also that his wife Aunt Alexandra would also come along who they despise, for not knowing to judge children correctly. The fact that their son Henry’s son Francis would also come, who they also abhorred for his bully type character and also he liked the complete opposite of Scout and Jem. The especially didn’t like how Aunt Alexandra would always take the work of her grandson even if it was a lie, such as the time Acout fought him, defending the name of her father.

3. When uncle Jack Finch says that scout is growing out of her pants it means that Scout may be a girl all though by the standards of the time she was very manly. He states that Scout is not like a woman, and she needs go grow out of her pants (because at the time only men wore pants) and act more like a woman. This can also be taken a different way saying that she is growing up and is no longer a child, thus growing out of her pants quite literally.

4. Aunt Alexandra is a very proper person who fits perfectly in the slot of a woman in the 1960s. She did not particularly like Scout, because she was not very lady like and didn’t have any manners (in her mind). She continues the serotypes of a woman in the 1960s by doing all these things and she doesn’t like scout for the reason that Scout doesn't like her grandson Francis.

Nadya said...

Chapter 9
Question #3

Uncle Jack means to say that Scout is trying to act older than she is, (which includes swearing,and acting tough) and she should act more her age. He does not approve of this behaviour and he wants her to be herself, by growing out of her habits of trying to seem like an adult, when she is just a child, and should act like one.

Unknown said...

Question 2- Jem and Scout have mixed feelings about Christmas because they are excited to see their Uncle Jack but aren't looking forward to seeing their other Aunt and Uncle and their cousin Francis. They feel this way because they were brought up differently and believe in different things so they don't get along very well and argue often.

Unknown said...

4. Aunt Alexandra has a negative feeling towards Scout because she is a tomboy and her aunt thinks that all ladies should be polite, very kind, proper an lady like. Scout is almost the exact opposite of what her Aunt Alexandra would expect from all little girls. Aunt Alexandra promotes the stereotype that all women should be working in the kitchen providing for their husbands. One major thing that may have proven that Scout does not believe and or agree with her Aunt is that she beats up her cousin Francis when he says bad things about Atticus.

CaLviNlau said...

Q#3. It means that Scout is growing either mentally and physically. First of all, Scout does wear pants instead of a dress so, it could mean that she is increasing in height. Second of all, Scout has been learning swear words and she is becoming disrespectful towards her relatives and classmates.Therefore, it could mean both. Uncle Jack says that because he doesn't like to hear Scout swearing and he believes that she should act more as a lady and represent a good Finch.

hannah said...

Atticus feels he should defend tom because it is what he feels is the right thing to do; He knows that Tom is innocent (the evidence is overwhelming) More importantly, Atticus has been trying to teach his children the true meaning of moral courage ("courage is not a man with a gun in his hand") and he knows that he himself has to display moral courage by taking on this case although he will face criticism and hostility. If he does not practice what he preaches, he will never be able to tell his children what to do anymore.

hannah said...

2. Scout and Jem look forward to Aunt Alexandra's meals (she is an exceptional cook) as well as seeing their Uncle Jack. However they dread having to put up with Francis, who is their Aunt's son's son, but only a year younger than Scout. Francis "enjoyed everything [Scout] disapproved of" and did not get along at all well with Jem and Scout, in particular. This is due to the differences in the way the children were brought up.

4. Aunt Alexandra disapproves highly of Scout. She feels that the absense of a mother has affected Scout's feminity. She fusses over Scouts clothes (she feels girls should wear pretty dresses not casual breeches)and is appalled at Scouts adventuring which she finds most unladylike. Aunt Alexandra has "maycomb's usual disease" that is she is racist towards afican americans. She has no qualms about voicing her disapproval over Atticus' decision to defend Tom Robinson, what is worse she informs her grandson that Atticus is a "nigger-lover" and is "ruinin' the family" thereby passing on her flawed belief system to the next generation.