Monday, March 31, 2014

What are some items to put in a large paper bag that have deep significance to Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird?

In the coming-of-age narrative such as that of Harper Lee's novel, there are numerous items which represent learning stages of Scout Finch:

  1. Miss Caroline's ruler - This is a reminder to Scout that she should get to know someone before giving him/her advice.


  2. The Gray Ghost - This novel is meaningful because of its appearance at the beginning and the ending of Lee's novel, and its connection to the character of Boo Radley--Like Stoner's boy, Boo is also pale and resembles a ghost (the children thought Boo was a ghost/"haint"), misjudged by people, and a hero in the end.

  3. The Mobile Register that Atticus read as he sat before the jailhouse door - This copy can be a reminder to Scout of how she diffused the tension of the mob who accosted Atticus, demanding Tom Robinson. This is also the newspaper behind which Scout sits on her father's lap as he reads it at night. Scout has learned how to read from her exposure to this newspaper, and, as a result, she has been scolded by her new teacher, Miss Caroline.
    In addition, Scout recalls how Atticus always sits behind this paper on evenings when he is troubled, pretending that he is reading so that he will not worry his family.

  4. Jem's mended pants - Scout may wish to keep these as a reminder of the first of Boo's acts of kindness.

  5. The soap figures of Jem and Scout - Jem has put these in his trunk, but he may give Scout the one made of her. Very realistic, these figures demonstrate that Boo has a talent which has gone to waste.

  6. The dried camellia given to Jem by Mrs. Dubose - This can be a reminder of how people can be misunderstood.

  7. Mr. Dolphus Raymond's coke in a paper bag - He has used this to pretend that he drinks so that the gossips of Maycomb will have a rationale for his living with blacks. This can be a reminder of the hypocrisy of people.

  8. The shell from the rifle of Sheriff Tate that "Ol' One Shot" Atticus fired when he shot Tim Johnson, the rabid dog - This can be a reminder to Scout that her father only stopped using rifles because it was unfair to the animals, not because he was too old or incapable. He is a "gentleman like me" Jem has said.

  9. A dried grape leaf from Miss Maudie's sccupernong vines - This can be a reminder of the beloved Miss Maudie as well as her kindness in allowing the children to play in her yard as long as they did not disturb her grapevines.

  10. Hers and Jem's Halloween costumes (or some part of them) - These can be reminders of Boo's heroic deed of saving them from the murderous Bob Ewell.

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