November
21
ELA 20: Nov 21 Discuss chapters, new information about Tom…
- We discussed, briefly, some of the more important questions regarding a few of the chapters we’ve recently read. I encouraged students, again, to keep their running list of examples of Jem or Scout’s growing awareness of their surroundings or the implications of things or just their mental maturity. This will be the basis of their upcoming essay, so keeping a list will make their brainstorming go much more easily!
- We read through Chapter 19 where Tom Robinson is questioned by Atticus and the prosecuting attorney. Knowing that his arm is disfigured and understanding him to be physically incapable of causing the harm that was evident on Mayella, we as readers can see clearly that he is innocent and there was no reason for him to be charged in the first place. It is taking a bit for the students in class to understand just how much race prejudiced people back at that time, so much so that they could charge someone for something they’re impossible of doing.
- Through the reading, it was also made clear how the prosecuting attorney was intimidating Tom by his constant use of the word “boy”. Again, it’s difficult for students today to understand the oppression still felt by Black people, even though they had been freed of their slavery.