Proper Analysis in Theme Paper
Directions: Explain why the following analytical sentences received “yes” and “no” based on the rules you have been given about analyzing quotes.
YES: For example, as many question his decision to continue with Tom Robinson, he explains how “if [he] didn’t [he] couldn’t hold his head up in town.” Atticus shows courage in teaching Scout the justice in choosing to protect while showing no chance to succeed. His determination to defend Tom against the perception in skin color presents the honor and fairness of Atticus.
WHY?
YES: As the story continues, Atticus defends his non-confrontational disposition by explaining to his children that men like Bob Ewell “ha[ve] to have some kind of comeback.” He demonstrates his ability to put himself in someone else’s position by saying “so if spitting in my face and threatening me save[s] Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take.” Atticus refrains from lashing out at Bob Ewell because he understands that his actions affect not only him and Mr. Ewell, but also Mr. Ewell’s children. Atticus’s capability to think before he acts highlights the fact that others benefit when people look at things in a different light.
WHY?
NO: Atticus says they cant win and says “Simply because we’ve been licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to not try to win.” He is meaning that he has to try even though he is going to lose. Also, he wants fairness and justice to everyone no matter what race.
WHY?
NO: Furthermore, Atticus fully reveals his true colors in the courthouse when he informs the jury in his closing speech that “the evil assumption that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women” should be taken into consideration. With his closing speech, Atticus proposes that the jury should proceed with a fair verdict rather than judging because of skin color. He reveals to the jury and everyone in the courtroom that he is truly against prejudice.
WHY?
NO: Mrs. Dubose is always pointing out Scout’s ‘boyish’ flaws. One day when Scout walks by Mrs. Dubose’s house, the older lady critically states, “What are you doing in those overalls? You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady!” Mrs. Dubose although harsh and critical, just wanted Scout to be a lady. Her criticism is one of the components that ultimately helped Scout grow.
WHY?
NO: After Scout brought Boo Radley home after things calmed down, Scout realizes something while standing on the Radley porch, which is, “Atticus [is] right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.” This statement is profound because Scout saw everything that happened throughout the whole book from Boo Radley’s eyes.
WHY?
NO: As the story continues, Scout gets out of school thirty minutes before Jem and as she’s walking she narrates, “I ran by the Radley place as fast I could.” Initially Scout is afraid of the Radley place, but when she sees things from his point of view she learns to be compassionate for Boo. There is a big change in Scout’s compassion for Book from the start of the story to end, after Boo saves her life.
WHY?
NO: Later in the story, before they got to Aunt Alexandria’s house, Scout asks Atticus why he would defend Tom if he knew they would lose, Atticus replies by saying, “simply because [one] [is] licked a hundred years before [one] starts [is] no reason for [one] to try to win.” Lee reveals how Atticus teaches his children why you never give up or quit just because it might be hard and unfair. Instead you fight till the end and give it all you have because it’s the right thing to do.
WHY?
NO: Furthermore, Scout gets rudely awoken by Atticus in the middle of the night to see, “The men of Maycomb in all degrees of dress and undress take furniture from Miss Maudie’s house.” Despite it being in the middle of the night, the men run out to help Miss Maudie, and the men’s actions prove that compassion has greatly developed.
WHY?