Dialectical Journal For To Kill A Mockingbird

I am reading To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In Chapters 10-15 Jem and Scout learn new things that they didn’t know about their father. Their Aunt Alexandra comes to live with them. Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandra are both great mother figures to Jem and Scout. In this journal, I will be characterizing and evaluating. G: Atticus is over protective of his kids but cares about them a lot. He is secretive and old. Y: Atticus is overprotective and caring. R: wouldn’t teach kids to shoot R: stopped jem from shooting R: made the kids stay away from the rabid dog. Y: he is secretive and old R: he never told the kids about him shooting R: he never plays with jem anymore R: he barely does anything G: Atticus loves his kids. He doesn’t

He bought his kids air rifles but he wouldn’t teach them how to shoot them, “ when he gave us our air-rifles Atticus wouldn’t teach us to shoot. Uncle Jack instructed us in the rudiments thereof; he said Atticus wasn’t interested in guns. (Lee 119)” Jem was going to shoot Miss Maudie in the butt. Atticus said “ Don’t you ever let me catch you pointing that gun at anybody again. (Lee 121)” One of the neighbors dogs became rabid and Jem told his dad about it. Jem opened the door and Atticus said, “stay inside son! (Lee 125)” Although he is overprotective he is also very secretive about his past to his kids. According to his kids he is very old. When the rabid dog came Atticus shot him in one shot. Miss Maudie told Jem “ didn’t you know his nick-name was Ol’ One-Shot when he was a boy. (Lee 129)” Atticus would play keep away with Jem, but he would never play tackle. Atticus never played tackle “ Atticus was never too tired to play keep-away, but when Jem wanted to tackle him Atticus would say, I’m to old for that son. (Lee 118)” Atticus is old, he is almost 50 years old. Jem and Scout think that he can’t do anything, “ our father didn’t do anything. (Lee 118)” Even though he is old and boring in his kids eyes he still loves them. He doesn’t tell his kids much because he doesn’t want them to be like

In my opinion…

Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandra are both great mother figures to Jem and Scout. They both have their own traits. Calpurnia is a great mother figure. When the dog came she made sure the kids were safe inside and were all right. She then called Atticus and told him about it so he could come and help out with it. Atticus was out of town and the kids didn’t know what to do. Calpurnia was going to church and she invited them to come with her. Even though Calpurnia isn’t always the nicest she does everything she can to keep them safe and out of trouble. Scout states “ I had caused Calpurnia to deny my entrance to the house every time she saw me with a stick in my hand. (Lee 134)” Calpurnia is a great mother figure, in my opinion Aunt Alexandra is only a good mother figure. She came to live with the Finch’s to help Atticus for when Scout starts growing into a woman. Aunt Alexandra says, “ We decided that it would be best for you to have some feminine influence. (Lee 170)” She was always declaring what was right for the family. Scout