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Vocabulary Web 1:

Vocabulary Web 2:

           Christmas time in Maycomb brought the Finch family together.  Uncle Jack (Atticus’s brother) came bearing Jem and Scout’s presents from Atticus. Much to their satisfaction, their father had gotten them each an air riffle. However, Atticus forewent teaching Jem and Scout how to operate their guns, and instead bequeathed that task to Uncle Jack. Although, Atticus did warn his progeny that they could “shoot all the bluejays [they] want […] but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird,” (Lee 119).  Miss Maudie confirms this remark by explaining “mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. […] That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird,” (Lee 119).  These two remarks set in motion the metaphor of mockingbirds as innocence, which is present in different characters through out the novel. The shooting or destruction of a mockingbird is comparable to defamation of character. Boo Radley, is a fair example of the mockingbird metaphor. Although he is vilified and made out to be wicked, Boo Radley does not maltreat, tyrannize nor disrupt anyone’s business.  One instance of where Radley diverges from his persona is during the night when the vehement fire burned down Miss Maudie’s home. He warmheartedly placed a blanket around Scout. This displays his unaccredited decency.

           

            These chapters also illuminate an important concept, courage. An old lady, enervated by old age and a morphine addiction, manages to evoke an uncharacteristic ire from Jem. In response, Jem effectively destroyed the elderly Mrs. Dubose’s garden. To indemnify for his transgression, Jem was sentenced to reading to her for one month. After Jem completed his obligation, Mrs. Dubose died. At this point, Atticus explains to Jem and Scout that the old woman was a morphine addict. The reading had been a tactic used to help her break her addiction before her inevitable death. Atticus used her life and ardent desire to beat her addiction despite knowing the end was nigh as a teaching of what courage truly is. Atticus describes courage as being “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what,” (Lee 149). In other words, the test of courage is fighting a battle with a predetermined end. This is comparable to what Atticus is doing by defending Tom Robinson.  It is possible that Atticus felt it exceedingly crucial that Jem and Scout understood what courage was before the brunt of the trial.

Works Cited:

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Grand Central, 2010. Print. 

This picture represents Mrs. Dubose dying free from her addiction. It also shows the freedom that can come from adhering to true courage. It is metaphoric.