To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Topic: What issues in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' are silenced that could be explored in a character in role?

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1

I was thinking of being Jem Finch talking about his mother, Calpurnia or Mrs Dubose. Frankly I don't know what to write for any of them as in our character in role we have to talk about something that may have been silenced while still including opinions on what has happened in the book, i.e. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.

3

One character-related issue that may benefit you is that of single fatherhood. Atticus finds himself in an unusual position for the 1930s, as he is forced into the role of single father. What was it like for men of that era to have to rear children by themselves, when they were brought up or trained to be fathers and husbands during an era that was driven by the nuclear family unit? How did Atticus handle it, and did he succeed in the role? These questions should help you out as you do your character explorations.

4

My students always ask me how or why Boo Radley was confined to house arrest.  I think it would be interesting to further explore Foot-Washing Bapists and how this religion play a role in Boo's punishment.  It would be interesting to see how or why Boo's brother kept up with the punishment even after Mr. Radley's death.

5

You have the opportunity to explore child abuse and maybe child sexual abuse in the relationship between Bob Ewell and Mayella Ewell.

These sorts of things simply were not talked about or discussed in the 1930s.

You might also consider Dolphus Raymond's relationship in the black community as he pretends to be a drunkard in order to "get away with" having a black mistress and children.

6

annieanise

Southern culture indicates that many topics were "taboo" or off limits.  These would include insanity, drug abuse, incest, child abuse, fatherless children, and cross-ethnic relationships. The strictness of Boo Radley's family religion, Mrs. Dubose's drug habit, Bob Ewell's treatment of his family, Dill Harris' mother's relationships with men, and Dolphus Raymond's black family would have all been known, but not discussed in open conversation. Many characters, such as Atticus Finch, would consider the matter none of his business, and it would not be discussed in his home. That leaves the children's curiosity unsatisfied, and they would "fill in the blanks" for themselves.

7

cheesepie14

In reply to #5: Well also I don't think that Mr. Raymond is hanging out with the blacks just so that he can have a black mistress and mixed children, it's also because he feels that the way the white community treats the black community is wrong.

8

In reply to #7: Good point. There were many instances of white men having black mistresses, but very few of them were "out" in the open about it.

Mr. Raymond was a very forward thinking character. He claimed his kinfolks. Which is far better than most men of that era would do if they were stepping out on their white wives with black mistresses.

It may be that Mr. Raymond preferred the company of "real" people as to the pretentious manners of many of the white people who lived in town.

10

Well, just why do we think Mayella Ewell is interested in a "relationship" with Tom Robinson?

She is living and acting as the "mom" to her siblings. We don't know what has happened to her mother, but Mayella is "sexualized" in this novel.  How did this happen?

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