"You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don't let 'em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change... it's a good one, even if it does resist learning."
This quote comes from page 87 of To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus was having a discussion with Scout and Jem about what they should and shouldn't do. As it states in the text, "I'm simply defending a negro-- his name's Tom Robinson." Atticus is a lawyer and is defending a negro, which is very rare. As he works towards success, rumors and cruel comments are made about his actions.
Atticus states that Scout is "too young to understand". As we estimated, around this time Scout is about 5 or 6 years of age. I agree with Atticus. The whole racism circumstance is not comprehensible for a child at that age. I believe if I was put in that situation, I most-likely wouldn't understand either. Atticus is doing what is out of the ordinary and taking wondrous measures to be fair and equal to all people. Colored or not, Atticus will defend you, if needed.
I remember in middle school I was in drama with other students. I had a problem with "letting go" of what other people say about me. This is similar to Scout and Jem's situation. People are making rude comments about what their father is doing/does.
It took a while for me to come to reality. My grandmother told me : "People are gonna talk about you until the day you die, and theirs nothing you can do about it. You have to keep pressing on." After the conversation with my grandmother and a bit of reflection, I realized that what she said was true.
Telling rumors or spreading false information is similar to the game 'Telephone'. The only person who knows the true information is the source. Jem and Scout are being pressured with all the things people say about their father. People are so quick to judge, but fail to know the true facts. Until you know what is right, you can't criticize based off of what you think.
In conclusion, I believe what Atticus said is true. Jem and Scout shouldn't waste their time trying to "physically solve" the problem. If they do as Atticus asked, and use their knowledge, the outcome will be.
-Lezi M. Truesdale
i do think it is worth it
ReplyDeleteThis post is well-written and I like that you added the quote from your grandmother. She is right. Even if you get offended by something someone says because of false information, you have to move on. My post was sort of about the same thing. You can't trust other people's views on someone and judge them immediately based on their personal views. You have to trust yourself or get to know them first.
ReplyDeleteThis post is well-written and I like that you added the quote from your grandmother. She is right. Even if you get offended by something someone says because of false information, you have to move on. My post was sort of about the same thing. You can't trust other people's views on someone and judge them immediately based on their personal views. You have to trust yourself or get to know them first.
ReplyDeleteMeredith, you may have accidentally posted your comment twice.
DeleteMeredith, you may have accidentally posted your comment twice but I do agree with what you said about Lezi's post.
DeleteI agree with you Lezi because at that age of 6 you could never understand the whole circumstance of racism. At the age of 6, no one should even try to think of racism.
ReplyDelete