English Lang Arts 10-1 RVS

Keep in mind that you must be respectful of others at all times, which includes using language appropriate to the school setting. In the words of former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, "Never attack the individual. We can be in total disagreement with someone without denigrating them as a consequence."

You may compose your responses in a Word document, but then copy and paste into the body of a new posting. DO NOT POST WORD DOCUMENTS. Provide evidence and explanations for your initial post, as well as the comments you make on your classmates' postings.

Comment, in detail, on at least three of your classmates’ postings. Respond with more than simply "I agree" or "Great post."

To Kill a Mockingbird

1. walking in someone else’s shoes
Atticus tells the children several times that they need to walk in someone else's shoes before judging the person. What role does this advice play in sympathy and compassion? Cite an example from the novel.

2. to kill a mockingbird . . .
At the end of the book, Scout says that telling people Boo Radley committed the murder would have been "sort of like shootin' a mockingbird." What does that mean? Do you agree that Boo is like a mockingbird? What about Tom Robinson?

3. “nice”
In the last few lines of To Kill a Mockingbird Scout says, "he was real nice..." and Attiucus replies, "most people are, Scout, when you finally see them." Do you agree that most people in the novel are nice once you see them? Explain. How is Atticus able to see the good side of people despite all he has experienced?

4. Dill or the Ewells?
“When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain that the Ewells started it all, but Jem … said it started long before that. He said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out.” Who did start “it”? Dill or the Ewells? Explain.

5. controversy
What do you think has led this novel to be banned in some communities?

6. “simple love story”
Do you agree with Harper Lee’s assessment that this novel is “a simple love story”?

7. Eleanor Roosevelt (First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945)
“You must do the things you think you cannot do.” Explain how this quotation fits ONE of the following:
- Tom Robinson
- Arthur (Boo) Radley
- Scout
- Aunt Alexandra
- Miss Maudie
- Atticus