To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:

juliamnl
juliamnl
Student
High School - 9th Grade

Comment on the way Scout affects events without realizing it at the time in To Kill a Mockingbird.

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Posted by juliamnl on Sunday March 30, 2008 at 9:57 AM and tagged with events, scout, to kill a mockingbird.

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  1. juliamnl
    juliamnl Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    i 4got to mention that the question is about chapter 15

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    Posted by juliamnl on Sunday March 30, 2008 at 10:56 AM

  2. leagye
    leagye Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    In Chapter 15, Scout has a profound effect on the townspeople who confront Atticus in front of the jail, where he is protecting Tom Robinson from just this type of anticipated confrontation. Scout, without even understanding the consequences, happens to notice Walter Cunningham in the crowd, and mentions to him that she is a classmate of his son. Re-read this passage and think about the immediate result of Scout's greeting and brief conversation with Mr. Cunningham. What does the crowd do next?

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/tokillamockingbird

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    Posted by leagye on Sunday March 30, 2008 at 11:02 AM


  3. amy-lepore Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Scout turns the crowd away by addressing Mr. Cunningham directly and speaking about his son, Walter.  She connects with him through his son and speaks about what a good person Walter is...she continues to speak about how Atticus has helped them (the Cunninghams) and how Atticus always talks about how important it is to help others and to be good people.  This effects Mr. Cunningham because it makes him consider the reasons they are there at the jail.  He rethinks those reasons and "calls off the dogs" so to speak.  He addresses the mob and tells them to go home, while telling Scout that he will definitely tell Walter she said, "hello".

    Go back and read this part of the chapter to see if you can pick up on how the tension melts away in this scene and what Scout says.  She does this more to ease her own discomfort than to change the mood of the crowd, but Atticus understands how it is effecting the men so he allows her to continue talking.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird

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    Posted by amy-lepore on Sunday March 30, 2008 at 7:30 PM