To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:

azndragon8
azndragon8
Student
High School - 9th Grade

In chapter 22, After commenting to Alexandra about his aunt's alcoholism, Dill asks,"Tellin' the truth's not cynical, is it? Well,is it?"

Continued from question.. When might telling the truth appear cynical?

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Posted by azndragon8 on Saturday December 8, 2007 at 7:46 AM and tagged with dill, mockingbird, to kill a mockingbird.

Answers:


  1. renelane Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    For Aunt Alexandria, Dill is being cynical because it casts his aunt in a bad light. While it is true that she drinks, Aunt Alexandria thinks it is rude to speak of his aunt's vices out in the open. Dill is complaining at the time because his aunt got on him for being out half the night. It seems as if he is justifying his actions.

    Alexandria is making a distinction between voicing a concern versus maligning a person's character.  In most cases, if you are speaking of someone, even if it is true, to make them look bad in the face of your wrong, then it is cynical.

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    Posted by renelane on Saturday December 8, 2007 at 8:03 AM