Aunt Alexandria was less than welcoming of the ides. Shoot all the Bluejays you want, if you can hit em but remember its a sin to kill a mockingbird (Lee, page 103). Burris Ewells Neck was dark grey, the backs of his hands were rusty, and his fingernails were black deep into the quick (27). The Ewells, Cunninghams and Finches represent three different levels of the Maycomb social structure in To Kill a Mockingbird. He is a quiet, unassuming boy, but everything about him speaks of his poverty. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Atticus is overall a great father, as he supposedly doesnt keep his children in the dark about anything they want to know, and gives them the respect, privacy, and trust he would an adult, while aware that they are children and that theres stuff they do not know yet, and shouldnt know. Although Atticus and Mr. Ewell have some similarities, but not many. He just has his blind spots along with the rest of us. Not exactly. Atticus on the other hand thinks that the cunninghams aren't bad people, doesn't have one bad thought, and thinks that they are just misunderstood. Are we as poor as the Cunninghams? "Mommy, I love you" The Hours written by Michael Cunningham focuses on three different women, Clarissa Vaughan, Laura Brown, and Virginia Woolf to show how they react differently to different things of daily events. More books than SparkNotes. After Scout mentions Walter Cunningham Jr., Mr. Cunningham is reminded that he is also a father like Atticus and sympathizes with him on a paternal level. One of the most basic is that she is not being raised by her mother. Also in the . Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Like Atticus, he has taken it upon himself to set things right. Next. However, there are great differences both . Why in your opinion has Aunt Alexandra come to stay? It must have been through respect of Atticus that the men followed Atticuss order. The children got to see first hand what racial injustice looked like. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. In chapter 2 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout is attempting to explain to Miss Caroline why Walter Cunningham will not accept money for lunch. They will not take something they cant pay back and have a demonstrated history of paying Atticus back in produce as opposed to dollars. Atticus then begins to discuss farm problems when Walter asks for molasses. He calls Mayella miss and maam, which offends her. They are trustworthy. Atticus is perhaps the most educated man, aside from Judge Taylor, in Maycomb. 13. She said to Calpurnia, he aint company, Cal, hes just a Cunningham. She also says that he looks like he was raised on fish food. She simply asks Mr. Cunningham how Walter is doing and it snaps in back into his humanity enough to make the mob leave. She knew that they were proud people. What does Scout mean when she says, "By the time we reached our front steps Walter had forgotten he was a Cunningham"? Atticus says they are poor farmers, but want to get by on their own. On the other hand, Scout, the protagonist, understands the Cunningham culture in Maycomb: one lives with what one has and does not take what one cannot repay. Signup for our newsletter to get notified about our next ride. They are relatively respectful, quiet individuals who Atticus thinks are a bit misguided. 13. They are a very poor family and we learn about the Cunninghams through (mainly) Walter Cunnigham. To what is he referring? When Atticus and Calpurnia arrive at Helen Robinson's house, some boys are out front playing a game. The story will involve an allegation of rape and the way black and white issues (the prejudice that runs through the whole of the story) are covered. Atticus wants his children to be able to learn from their mistakes and experiences. 2. Charles Baker Harris (Dill) Scout and Jem 's father. This is surprising in itself, but even more shocking is the fact that this juror was of the Cunningham clan, many of whom were among the angry mob at the jail on the night of the thwarted lynching. Atticus handles problems with grace, like a gentleman, and hopes his children will do the same in the face of, The novel To Kill a Mockingbird is an exploration of the human condition: whether people are essentially good or essentially evil. Jem thinks for a moment and then tells Scout that he thinks he understands why Boo stays inside his house: " it's because he wants to stay inside." Who is Walter Cunningham in the book scout? Atticus wants Jem to learn and make preperations for the real world had whats to come. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. This is why Atticus is the most important citizen in Maycomb, he plays such a large role in the novel. Mr. Ewell uses, abuses, and manipulates to get his way. He must have wanted to go home the short way, because he walked quickly down the middle aisle toward the south exit He did not look up. (Lee, 215). Lees juxtaposition of Atticus character gives the reader insight on how an incident that involves the abuse of human virtue can change ones attitude and, After their near altercation with the mob at the jail, Scout asked Atticus why Mr. Cunningham, one of their friends, wanted to hurt him. As the mob approachs Atticus and the jail Atticus instructs the men to lower their voices because Tom Robinson was sleeping. Mr. Cunningham sees that the children will not leave and thinks about how he would feel if he were Atticus. The jury is made up of farmers, and the Cunninghams are farmers. What, according to Atticus, is the thing that Mayella has done wrong? Atticus has nothing against the Cunninghams, but Scout doesnt know any better. In addition, Atticus is shown to have a kind, patient tone, which emphasizes his role as a father figure in this book. More books than SparkNotes. As Maycomb County was farm country, nickels and dimes were hard to come by for doctors and dentists and lawyers. Atticus s sister. He tells Jem and Scout that because he outsmarted Ewell, and made him look foolish, Bob wanted to retaliate and sought revenge. Source(s) The book and myself . Initially, Atticus helps Walter Cunningham legally settle his entailment and generously accepts payment in the form of food and goods from Walters farm instead of money. What lesson does Scout learn in Chapter 2 and 3? Dont matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this houses yo compny, and dont you let me catch you remarkin on their ways like you was so high and mighty! (29). But as a fictional character, he is a racist, and it is up to us to decide what that means. Atticus Finch is the father of Scout and Jem. Bob Ewell has no qualms about living like a parasite, and none of his family care that they are seen as the lowest level of society, apart from blacks. Book page count:323. Why does Walter pour syrup on everything and why does Atticus get angry at Scout for noticing? is there quicksand in hawaii. What can be said about Walter Cunningham character? Atticus' Parenting Style in To Kill a Mocking Bird. Calpurnia is the Finchs cook but she takes her role in the childrens life more seriously. In real life Harper Lee grew up in Alabama and her father was a lawyer who became caught up in a rape case similar to that featured in the book. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. 1 What were the two things Atticus said about the Cunninghams? How does atticus distinguish between the cunninghams and the ewells? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. He does not judge them based on their social class, but instead judges the members of their family by their character. The Cunninghams are near the bottom but the lowest are the Ewells. When attending class on the first day, he frightens the teacher with his state of uncleanliness. When Calpurnia sees this, she pulls Scout aside and gives her a lecture that reads, Hush your mouth! Atticus says similar words throughout the novel to calm Scout and Jem down. On the one hand, it provides a sense of the town. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The Ewells are seen as lazy, and Atticus Finch, Scouts father, saying that the Ewells had been a shame to Maycomb County, living like animals, and not even wanting an education (Lee 40). Atticus is older than most fathers in Maycomb at almost 50 years old, and as a lawyer, Scout and Jem initially believe that Atticus doesn't do anything of import. He says that if theyd had two Cunninghams, the jury wouldve been hung. Words and phrases that Scout and Atticus use to describe the Cunninghams in this chapter are farmers, country folks, poor, and saying that they cant repay anything given to them. Aunt Alexandra has in her mind the way she thinks young girls should be raised. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there are numerous acts of racism and prejudice. Scout is flabbergasted (full context) Atticus asks Mayella to identify her rapist, so she points at Tom. Atticus agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white . When Walter comes over for lunch, Scout criticizes him but, Atticus Finch also shows the characteristics of a truly selfless person as well. In Chapter 23, after discussing the Cunninghams, Atticus tells the children that "there's just one kind of folks. The setting of a small, rural town in the Deep South during the Depression Era clearly indicates an impoverished area. It tells the story of events that take place in Maycomb, Alabama, in the 1930s. Scout and Jem s father. They don't accept anything from people, if they can't return it. Aunt Alexandra believes that Atticus takes over questioning. It was published in 1960 and was a book based around the Great depression. They always repay for services and never take anything they cant give back. Please advise. . Atticus Finch Character Analysis. Expert Answers Atticus and Mr. Cunningham have a business relationship, but also a friendship. When the teacher tries to send him home to clean up, Burris meanly tells her that this is the one and only day that he is ever going to come to school, leaving her distraught and in tears. When Scout gets back to her house she tries to convince Atticus not to send her . Atticus is characterized as an angel. Mr. Cunningham does just this as he appears in the mob that night at Tom Robinson's jail cell. She acts as parent; constantly teaching the kids lessons about life and race. "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.". Explain how did racism impact the scene following: a mob almost attacks Atticus in order to enter the jail to lynch Tom Robinson. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Another reason is Scout has the nerve or courage at that moment in time to simply strike up conversation with one of the men in the mob. The children come to Atticus for advice, problems . In stark contrast to this, the Ewells "had been the disgrace of Maycomb for three generations", living off "regular weekly appearances at the welfare office for his [relief] check". What does the setting at school teach us about the town and its people TKAM? Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves an opinion or statement about the topic but not every literary work has a theme. 1. Cunningham is the father of Walter Cunningham Jr, Scout's classmate. The reader can also see Atticus' good nature portrayed in how he treats his kids. Cunningham wants his children to grow up to be gentlewomen and ladies, as evidenced by his example of paying Atticus back for his services via food and goods deliveries over the course of a year (Lee 20). "Well, Atticus, I was just sayin' to Mr. Cunningham that entailments are bad . These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. They were allowed to do most of what they wanted and whenever they wanted because everyone has given up on trying to force people like the Ewells into a new environment. The Finches are part of the common folk so the Finches are above the Cunninghams and Ewells on the social class hierarchy. They do not contribute to society. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Atticus saw all people as equal, regardless of their skin color and he knew what was the right thing to do. -Graham S. The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Cunningham appears in, Jem pulls her off. atticus represented cunningham in court and cunningham pays him back with goods because he doesnt have money. Aunt Alexandra is all about ones breeding and family history. An example of this would be Burris Ewell. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. This passage, quote, or excerpt is significant because this passage shows the bond between Atticus and Scout. In To kill a mockingbird, two farmers were greatly affected by the depression. Walters visit in Chapter 3 provides Scout insight into the lives of lower-class farming families. Chapter 15 A mob warns Atticus about Tom Robinson being transferred prisons. Atticus Finch was an adult, white male in the 1930s deep South. Later during Tom Robinson's trial, the children are sorely disappointed and this is changed when the jury made up of their fellow townspeople convict the obviously innocent Tom Robinson, simply because he is a black man and his accuser is white. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Atticus: Mr. Cunningham's basically a good man. Atticus'll do his best.' How are Bob Ewell and Atticus Cunningham alike? Even a man that owed much to Atticus would stand against him for the sake of his personality and upraising. Can banks make loans out of their required reserves? How do you I stop my TV from turning off at a time dish? He doesn't retaliate when Bob Ewell spits in his face because he understands that he has wounded Ewell's pride the only real possession this man has. Refine any search. Atticus understands the Cunninghams cannot pay him back but shows he is contempt doing whatever he can for them. 14. and Atticus are examples of courage in To Kill a Mockingbird, demonstrated by their benevolent acts of kindness and equality, and how they didnt let what the status quo at the time dictate their opinions. Why would country people be the ones to suffer the most? In contrast, Aunt Alexandra is prejudice towards the Cunningham family. The Ewells are the lowest of Maycomb's white families, "the disgrace of Maycomb for three generations." Father Bob does not work, beats his daughter, and allows his children to go to school hungry and lice-ridden. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Walter didnt bring a lunch to school, and when he is eating at Scouts house, he asks Calpurnia for molasses. Maycomb County simply ignores the Ewells thinking that is family business and it should not be messed with. The kids don't have much to relate to Walter show more content to pay him back in food, rather than money because thats all they have to give. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's views on people's being equal. What does Atticus tell Scout about why the jury took so long to convict Tom? Wiki User. Retired gladiator Juda Ben Hur helps a group of young vigilantes in their quest to remove the Romans from their homeland once and for all. Even though he doesnt have money, he makes sure that his children survive well enough and that they are respectful and honorable. From the incident during Walter's stay, it becomes clear both Calpurnia and Atticus feel it is critical that no matter what people do that is uncustomary to them, you must respect the person and not comment rudely. Mr Cunningham says, All right, Mr. Finch, get em outa here. This event along with Atticuss analysis show the dangers of group thinking. "Atticus had said it was the polite thing to talk to people about what they were interested in, not about what you were interested in." Scout then argues, "But last night he wanted to hurt you.". As Scout recalls of one winter day, she remembers Mr. Walter Cunningham discussing his entailment; "Mr. Finch, I don't know when I'll ever be able to pay you," Mr. Cunningham states. Atticus does not believe in social class and breeding to separate people. What does Atticus think of the Cunninghams? He then became a test pilot and flew more than 100 different types of aircraft. However, both the boys and the families are very different in many, many ways. He doesnt understand that when Atticus stared down the mob, he accomplished more than making them go away. . The Cunningham Family. Aunt Alexandra, more of a hassle than a help to Scout, attempts to bring her up to be a proper young lady, much to Scouts displeasure. Atticus aimed to defend him. Scout loves and respects Atticus so she listens and takes his advice. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Describe the Cunninghams. They live in Maycomb, Alabama where segregation and hatred is rampant. He doesn't retaliate when Bob Ewell spits in his face because he understands that he has wounded Ewell's pride the only real possession this man has. Teachers and parents! With courage, he once again honors his moral principles, protecting Tom's life by risking his, In the novel to kill a mockingbird they present Atticus Finch a character who seems Christ like centered. Mr. Ewell spent their relief checks on green whiskey while his children cried in pain from hunger. This essay talks about three traits; loving, compassionate, caring., Ultimately, this confronts the concept of good and evil in humanity. Atticus is older than most fathers in Maycomb at almost 50 years old, and as a lawyer, Scout and Jem initially believe that Atticus doesnt do anything of import. He sent crops after each harvest until Atticus received more than enough. Why did Atticus put one of the Cunninghams on the jury? In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the main character, Scout meets Walter Cunningham and Burris Ewell, who both come from very poor families. Jems response to the Cunningham juror was ultimately surprised. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. The novel is about the main character, Scouts, experiences and learning about her community and world around her. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee CHAPTER 3: Connection Questions Please answer the questions for the chapter. This example also ties in of these quotes Both Atticus and Calpurnia place rules that may not be broken by him or scoutt, saying "within calling distance of Calpurnia" and being respectful, Through Jems refusal to leave the jail and Scouts ability to appeal to the humanity of Mr. Cunningham, the mob ceases to be a mob and becomes a collection of ordinary men. The men mutter. 4. In response, he replied, "he still is.". In the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, the Cunninghams are portrayed as poor but polite people while the Ewells are presented as immoral and greedy as a result of their poverty through each family's actions and ethics. Different races could not attend the same schools. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. This quote means that a mans personality/character is shaped and determined by the way he reacts and responds to the difficulties and hardships that he faces. Atticus's opinions can usually be trusted, and he is convinced of the importance of dealing fairly and reasonably with all people, no matter what the View Answer Describe how Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves an opinion or statement about the topic but not every literary work has a theme. Atticus put a Cunningham on the jury because he knew that they were fair-minded. She thinks the Cunninghams are nothing but trash and not a good influence on Scout. Atticus Finch. This also contributes to the respect he receives from everyone, including the poor like the Cunninghams. Aunt Alexandra has a sense of social hierarchy. This scene shows that human malevolence can change Atticus attitude, despite how strongly he feels that every human has a part of them that is pure. They try several tactics to try to get Atticus to carry a gun, but it takes a while for Atticus to realize how scared they are. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Atticus (with the help of his children) had just averted a probable lynching by staying at the jail overnight .