The start of Tom Robinsons trial

At the start of the trial Harper Lee uses various techniques to create a tense atmosphere, especially through the responses of the various people of Maycomb, as well as Scout, Dill and Jem themselves, for example, as Atticus repeated his questions to Heck Tate, with a purpose of proving his point, as to why a doctor was not called, Jem seems to understand the point Atticus is attempting to prove, as his "hand, which was resting on the balcony rail, tightened around it. He drew in his breath suddenly." This signals to Scout, and therefore also the reader, that this is a tense and important moment, as she glances "below, I saw no corresponding reaction, and wondered if Jem was trying to be dramatic". This shows us how little she really understands the true situation and arguments of the court, her childish inquisitiveness being demonstrated once again. Scout soon describes the court as"utterly dull: nobody had thundered, there was no arguments between opposing counsel, there was no drama; a grave disappointment at present, it seemed.", suggesting to the reader that the court was serene and calm, even though there had been tense conversations between Heck, Atticus and Mr Gilmer, revealing hints about the defence Atticus would pick up later in the court case. Prior to this, as Scout, Dill and Jem enter the courtroom, Lee subtly references the caste system in Maycomb once again, as the black people are in a separate seating area to the whites, and also, as Reverend Sykes brings the children over, 4 black people are quick to give up their seats. This not only describes the hierarchy in the Maycomb society, but also hints that Tom Robinson is at a disadvantage already, because of the way black people have been downgraded from society. 

 Later, as Robert Ewell comes to the stand and reveals his version of the rape of his daughter, Mayella Ewell, we learn the details of the case, and Reverend Sykes suggests that Jem takes Scout and Dill home when the gruesome details of the story, showing the reader that they are beginning to reach a climax in the courtroom, and it is not suitable for the children to watch. Judge Taylor is then required to silence the courtroom, and reject a request for the court to be cleared of spectators, showing us again the severity of the situation, and the upcoming climax. Finally, as it is revealed that Bob Ewell is left-handed, and Mayella had bruises on the right of her face, Atticus seems to be suggesting that Bob beat his daughter to frame Tom Robinson.

This is a quiz testing your knowledge on To Kill a Mocking Bird, try it!- http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz411184b7f18.html 

Revision Questions...

In English recently we have been studying chapters 9 and 10, as they describe events which may not seem that significant, but hint at events still to come in the book, and the lessons which the children are learning to prepare them for the upcoming events involving Atticus' law case. Here are some revision questions to help me, as well as you, remember and evaluate in key events from the chapters when I come to the end of the novel.

Chapter 9:
1. At the start of the chapter, what advice does Atticus give Scout about dealing with comments about his new case, and what clues does this give us about events will be later happening in the novel?
2. In what ways are Uncle Jack and Atticus similar and in what ways are they different?
3. In chapter 9, who references Scout's gender, encouraging her to mature, and how does Scout feel about this?
4. What do Scout's references to Aunt Alexandra's opinion on her attire, suggest to us about Scout's character, especially her arrogance?
5. Why do you think Scout finally loses her temper with Francis, whilst she has controlled it for so long with her peers at school?

Chapter 10:
1. Why do you think is the most significant reason for Scout's disappointment in Atticus' lack of talents, is it because she wants him to play with her and Jem more and be a more active father, or does she simply want to be like everyone else, or do you think there is a different reason?
2. What does Miss Maudie's 'tartly' reaction to Scout's questions about the age of the neighbourhood, and Atticus' age in particular show about the almost tunnel-vision of the children,. when it comes to age?
3. How does Jem's decision to go and tell Calpurnia about the stray dog, and Scout's hesitance to do so, show the wisdom age has seemed to bring down, and the new difference in their characters - as Scout is her same old carefree self, but Jem is more cautious?
4. How does the use of a human name ('Tim Johnson') for a rabid dog, increase the brutality of the situation?
5. How does the children's (Jem's especially) opinion of their father and his talents change, and how do their reactions to this revelation differ?

Here is a link to a useful revision resource for To Kill a Mockingbird: http://englishtutorhome2.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/gcse-model-exam-answers-to-kill.html

Shameful story

Recently in our English lesson we completed a piece of free writing about a shameful story from our past, where we disappointed an adult. Our instructions were to write for ten minutes without taking our hand of the paper, describing as excitingly as possible an event from our past, and including as many of our 'favourite' words as possible.
Here it is, enjoy:

I ran all the way home from school with a friend, feeling very fabulous, crossing the roads without a care in the world, and listening to my mum shouting behind me. I reached the door in my own happy and excited bubble, expecting to be congratulated on my speed, perhaps with a bit of bling. Once my mum caught me up, I thought she was trying to call my bluff when she began to shout, but no. I really was in big trouble, even worse when I revealed I had run in front of a lorry with a hoist.

First Impressions

For me I was unsure what to expect as we first began to read To Kill a Mockingbird, though I knew some background about the events leading up to the time in which the story was set. To begin at the beginning, we first come to learn about Scout, the narrator, Jem, her brother, and Atticus their father. From reading the book, I first believed Scout to be a boy and much older, around my own age, for she writes incredibly sophisticatedly. On upon first meeting Jem I see him as a taunting and teasing older brother to Scout on the outside, but in fact he is very protective and caring underneath, which is revealed further as we delve deeper into the book, especially in chapter 6, when they break into the Radley’s yard and Jem tells Scout to run, whilst he himself is not yet out of the fence.

My first impression of Atticus was that he was an uncaring father, from Scout’s description of his ‘satisfactory’ parenting and how he does not seem to put a stop to any of the children’s irresponsible behaviour, but then we see further into the book that he certainly does draw a line, especially where the Radleys are concerned. According to Scout, Atticus is somehow related or involved with everyone in Maycomb, leading us to believe in a way that he is very old, but more certainly that his family has lived in Maycomb for generations.

Upon first meeting Dill, I found him a very inquisitive and curious individual, and I had a feeling that him, Scout and Jem would only work well as a threesome for a short time. Dill seemed to bring out the worst in Jem, as he begins to reject Scout under Dill's influence. In all their adventures, Dill seemed to be the instigator, the one who got the others in trouble with Atticus, as he just went home to Miss Stephanie Crawford.