L.S.+TKAM+journal+2

Journal #4: Letter to Scout from an Older Sibling** Scout: I understand that this a difficult time in your life. You are growing up, Jem is acting differently because he is growing up too, and you are unfortunately feeling the effects of Atticus’ involvement in the Tom Robinson trial. Now, on top of all of this, Aunt Alexandria has come to stay, throwing off all balance of normalcy that we had left in our family. I know it sometimes seems as if she has no respect for you and the decisions you make for yourself, but she truly does have you best interests at heart. Try to get along with her the best you can, because it will make life during these upcoming stressful days much easier. Even if she doesn’t approve of the clothes you wear, or your manners, and if you think she finds you dull, she only came to stay to try to better our family. I know you have many different opinions than she does, as do I, but she is an outspoken woman, and if would definitely be wise to mind her as much as you possibly can. Perhaps her stay would be easier for you if you made more of an effort to talk to her about your interests. I don’t think she realizes how intelligent and capable you are, and now is your chance to show her who you truly are as a person. Though it is important to always follow your own heart, please try to get along with Aunty as best you can. It would relieve Atticus and Jem of a lot of stress, and Aunty would be much more pleasant towards you. You do not always have to necessarily agree with what she wants you to say or do, but communicating with her on a higher level than you do now would make a world of difference. She really does care about you, Scout, even if she doesn’t always know how to show it.
 * Chapters 12-13

Today marked the end of the intense trial involving Tom Robinson. __To begin with__, Negro Tom Robinson, twenty-five years of age, employed to Mr. Link Deas and married to Helen Robinson with three children, was accused of attacking and raping Miss Mayella Ewell, daughter of Bob Ewell. This portion of the trial began with Mr. Atticus Finch, defense attorney for Robinson, questioning him about the events that occurred that night. Tom claimed that he was innocent, and that Mayella attacked him. __Earlier__, Mayella had testified that she asked Tom to chop up a chiffarobe for her, and when she went into the house to get him a nickel for his work, he attacked her. __In contrary__ to Mayella’s account, Mr. Robinson said that he had done numerous odd jobs for Mayella before. __For instance__, he claimed, “She’d call me in, suh. Seemed like every time I passed by yonder she’d have some little somethin’ for me to do – chopin’ kindlin’, totin’ water for her…” (Lee 256). __Next,__ Tom continued with his recount of the events that occurred on the night of the twenty-first of November the previous year. __According to__ Mr. Robinson, Mayella called him into the house, saying she had something inside for him to do. The remaining Ewell children were nowhere to be found. __Then__, in Tom Robinson’s own words, Mayella “reached up an’ kissed me ‘side of th’ face. She says she never kissed a grown man before an’ she might as well kiss a nigger. She says what her papa do to her don’t count. She says, ‘Kiss me back, nigger.’ I say Miss Mayella lemme out here an’ tired to run but she got her back to the door an’ I’d had to push her. I didn’t want harm her, Mr. Finch, an’ I say lemme pass, but just when I say it Mr. Ewell yonder hollered through th’ window” (Lee 260). __Afterwards__, Tom claimed he ran so as not to get in trouble. __With this in mind__, prosecuting attorney Mr. Gilmer and Mr. Finch battled it out with their final regards, and the jury took hours to decide their verdict. There was much buzz in the courtroom, but __ultimately__, to the surprise of few, Tom Robinson was declared guilty by every jury member. __Although__ many citizens of Maycomb question the validity of this charge, and believe that Mr. Finch and Mr. Robinson together produced some convincing evidence, the issue is now finished, and nothing can be done at the present. __ In conclusion__, Mr. Robinson has been sent to Enfield Prison Farm, in Chester County. __Subsequently__, he will have a chance at an appeal, so it is possible this case is far from over. We can only hope our quiet little town will settle down after this upset.
 * Chapters 19-21:**
 * Journal #1: Update of Tom Robinson Trial **

In the persona of Alexandra Finch** I for one am just glad to see the nonsense of this trial over. Hopefully now the town of Maycomb will quiet down and concentrate on something else for a while. My goodness, who knew that a trial like this would ever spark such interest among our citizens? Don’t they have anything else to be concerned about than the fate of one Negro man in this small town? I do not know whether he was guilty or innocent, but if he was guilty, good riddance that he is now off the streets and no longer a threat to our children. If he was innocent, then ‘tis a shame he was convicted, but the issue is over now, ain’t it? I know there is talk of an appeal, but at least Atticus’ involvement is mostly done. All this trial did was put more stress on myself. I came here to look after my dear brother, Atticus, who I do believe must get his priorities straight. Hopefully now he can concentrate on raising his children. I do worry about them, he seems to let them run all about the town without a care in the world. Scout is growing up, and it is time she begins acting like a lady. I must admit though, I have a strange feeling that the conviction of this Negro is just the beginning. I was appalled and worried to hear that Atticus was threatened by Mr. Bob Ewell, who even spat in his face. I am concerned for Atticus’ safety, as well as the safety of Jem and Scout, because who knows what a man like Mr. Ewell is capable of. I don’t understand his animosity; he won the case, didn’t he? From what I have seen and heard about him, I must say I think he’s all talk. But Scout, and Jem occasionally, do seem to have dreadful tempers, and it doesn’t take much for them to throw reason out the window and act impulsively. My only hope is that once the excitement of the trial wears down, the life of my family and I can return to a somewhat normal state.
 * Chapters 22-24**
 * Journal #2 (in response to K.D.)

Journal #5: Scout's Reaction (Response to M.F.)** Thanks so much for your advice. Before all the intense events of this evening, I don’t think I would’ve taken your advice to heart, or taken you seriously at all. But after all that has happen’d, I think I sort of experienced some sort of realization. I tried to mind Atticus the best I could during the events of the trial ‘cause I could tell he was under a lot of stress, and didn’t need me botherin’ him none. You know what? I don’t think Aunty Alexandra is really as crazy and useless as you made her seem. I agreed with you in the beginnin’, but the longer she stayed the more I realized she really ain’t that bad. I even served food at one of her gatherin’ things, and I think she trusts and respects me more’un she used to, especially after Jem and me got attacked by Bob Ewell. I wasn’t even that scared. But when I came in the house, all bent up in my pork costume, she freed me all gently an’ all, and seemed pretty darned concerned. She even gave me my overalls to change into. Imagine that! You know how much Aunty hates them, ‘cause she says I ain’t like a lady when I wear them. I really think she understands me better now. I have learned a lot ‘bout controllin’ my temper and watchin’ my actions, and that has been really helpful. It’s better to keep my head held high, ‘cause that takes more courage. Though I can’t say I’ll stop sneakin’ out at night. I think Atticus’ stress is pretty much done now, ‘cause Tom Robinson and Bob Ewell are both dead, an’ besides, I’ll miss anythin’ exciting if I’m good all the time. I’ll try, though. Thanks a lot. Sincerely, Scout
 * Chapters 28-29

**Chapters 30-31 Journal #3: One Word**  For the final chapters of //To Kill a Mockingbird//, I chose the word **closure. **I found this to be an appropriate word because all the loose ends of the story are tied up, and it is implied that the Finch family can finally live in peace with all the madness of the trial behind them. The chapters prior to 30-31 are filled with intense moments because Jem is attacked and almost killed by Bob Ewell. But in chapters 30-31, readers find out for sure that the stranger who rescued Jem and carried him to safety was Boo Radley, and it becomes obvious that the mystery of the illusive Boo Radley has finally been solved. Boo is not mean at all, he is just a shy, kind man who would rather keep to himself. The chapters start out with Mr. Heck Tate, Arthur “Boo” Radley, Atticus, and Scout sitting out on the front porch. It is determined in the previous chapter that Bob Ewell attacked Jem and Scout, and that he is now dead, and Atticus is worried over how to explain to the town that Jem killed Mr. Ewell, despite the fact that Mr. Tate continues to claim that Jem is innocent. Atticus is convinced that there will be some sort of problem on their hands, and one can tell that he is very agitated and unsure of himself: “If this thing’s hushed up it’ll be a simple denial to Jem of the way I’ve tried to raise him. Sometimes I think I’m a total failure as a parent, but I’m all they’re got. Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I’ve tried to live so I can look squarely back at him…if I connived at something like this, frankly I couldn’t meet his eye, and the day I can’t do that I’ll know I’ve lost him. I don’t want to lose him and Scout, because they’re all I’ve got” (Lee 366). The reader can tell that even if Atticus doesn’t often show it, he is a bit insecure of himself in the parenting area. Mr. Tate insists that Jem did not kill Mr. Ewell – he killed himself by falling on his knife – and thus brings Atticus closure and peace because there is one less issue he must deal with. Heck Tate says: “I’m not a very good man, but I am sheriff of Maycomb County…There’s a black boy dead for no reason, and the man responsible for its’ dead. Let the dead bury the dead this time, Mr. Finch. Let the dead bury the dead” (Lee 369). I found this quote to have a lot of significance, because it signaled the end of the strenuous case of Tom Robinson. Ewell’s death also brought a sort of closure to the deceased Tom Robinson, because now this troublesome “blue jay” is gone for good. Boo Radley will be left alone, and Scout understands the significance of this decision. She says, “Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” (Lee 370), referring to getting Mr. Radley involved in all the drama of the night. He did he good deed, and deserves to go in peace. In the very last pages of the book, Scout reflects back on Boo Radley and the gifts he gave them in the tree. She gains finality on the mystery of Boo Radley, and realizes her life can go on seemingly normal from now on. In the final scene, Scout and Atticus are reading together, and every pending situation has reached a conclusion: all is as it should be.