Middle - End of Part 1.
Theme: Understanding.
"... It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what ... "
Chapter 11, page 128.
Atticus plays a big role to his children in this particular chapter when Scout and Jem are obliged to have reading sessions with the most cantankerous lady in their neighborhood, Ms. Dubose. Ms. Dubose insulted Atticus that, " he is a nigger-lover," in front of the kids and angered the latter. Although Scout reminds Jem that they must, " hold their head high and [become] gentlem[en]," Jem loses his grip and destroys Ms. Dubose's Camellia bushes. This event lead up to the aforementioned reading sessions with Ms. Dubose. Much to their Father's delight, this reading session would still have happened even if Jem did not destroy said bushes because Atticus saw this session as an opportunity to help the suffering Lady. Ms. Dubose was a morphine addict and was trying her best to terminate the addiction. With the help of the time spent with the kids, she dies, putting a stop to her addiction. Atticus uses this as an example to help his kids understand other people in general. Jem, in this particular chapter, only believes that a person could either be good or bad. He cannot comprehend the possibility of a person having both these qualities. As Atticus shows Jem Ms. Dubose's courageous attitude as he explains her situation, Jem begins to slowly understand the presence of both evil and goodness in a person. In our society today, it is still a conundrum as to whether or not people who are pure evil and people who are pure good, exist. Nevertheless, may it be the most cussing racist person, or even the most religious person, we must understand the person. We cannot judge someone without, " being in their skin, " and without having to understand them. People often think that a person who possess these certain stereotypical qualities are like this and that - but no. Every single one of us in this world are created specially and are unique in our own little way. That's why, with the help of Atticus in this chapter, the Author stresses the importance of understanding others in our society. If we try to think about it, without understanding, we'd all be in peril right now. We can't socialize, we can't operate and most especially, we can't even have a proper and a descent conversation. To conclude, we must understand a person first before we criticize their existence - we must open our minds and " be on their skin. "
First and foremost, great post! When I first saw your chosen theme, and your chosen quote, I was skeptical as to if you would be able to relate and syntheize them, but I was wrong. I was surprised to see how well you were able to manipulate Jem's close-mindedness and judgement to relate to your chosen prompt, understanding. The only thing I could possibly suggest/add to your thourogh analysis and response, is that perhaps the cause of her 'evil side' may have been her addiction; the stress it caused her, at such an old age, and how demending if her willpower it was. However I completely agree with your statement of people needing to '[be] in [someone's] skin' before we judge them, because, much like Mrs. Dubuose, they may be going through unimaginable hardships; empathy is our greatest asset.
ReplyDelete