Entry 1: Scout's First Day of school
Perspective: Miss Caroline
You could say that today was a rough day, but the honest truth of the matter is that I am the teacher. I decide what is best for the students in my classroom and if you don't like that, fine. I am doing what I am doing regardless of what anyone says. I have instruction from the school to do my very best in educating these children and I am going to do so the way I see fit. You don't have to like me, but you will respect me. Clearly that Ewell boy doesn't understand how to properly adress a teacher. Mortification doesn't even begin to describe what it felt like to be called out by a child in front of a room full of people, even if they were all children. It is going to be a long year for all of us if conditions in this classroom do not improve.
Entry 2: Jem Ruins Mrs. Dubose's Flowers
Perspective: Mrs. Dubose
I always knew those Finch children would be trouble. Yes sir, could've seen that comin' a mile away. The way they just walk around here not even addressing an old woman; just who do they think they are. And now the boy has wrecked my flowers. All of my pretty cemila bushes...gone. All for what? Because I said something about his father's poor decision to defend trash? I stand by what I said and will not take it back. I have respect for Atticus Finch, but he made a mighty foolish choice to take on this case. He should be more concerned with his good name and the reputation of his children who, clearly don't behave themselves as is. Though I am grateful the boy has offered restitution to me and will begin reading sessions with me, I cannot and will not condone what the Finches are proporting. I will not have it.
Entry 3: The lynch mob
Perspective: Atticus Finch
I was able to keep a very cool and easy tone as the men approached me. I knew they would do nothing before trying to reason with me; they respect me more than the man before us simply because of my skin color. I was confident I could dissuade the crowd until I heard Scout. Hearing my daughter's voice not only startled me, but sent a vigorous wave of qualms over my entire body. I could handle these men on my own, but being made vulnerable by the sound of a child, my child for that matter, changed my demeanor completely. My first thought was "Why are you all here?" in combination with the immediate urge to dismiss the children from the scene. When it became clear to me that Jem would not leave and take the Dill and Scout home as I had ordered, his blatant disobedience didn't even phase me. I worried instead for their safety. A worry that was quickly ameliorated by my daughter's innocence. I attribute the survival of Tom Robinson that night to her. She changed Walter Cunningham's mind, and thus challenged the motives of the group of men confronting me that night.
Entry 4: Scout Walks boo radley home
Perspective: Boo (Mr. Arthur) Radley
I didn't wanna leave 'til I went in and saw the boy one more time. I wanted to make sure he was alright. I know those people in the town are always talkin' about me, and they'll sure have a grand time with this one, but this time I guess it's worth it. I defended those Finch kids, they didn't deserve what that man was tryna do. Their good people and their father is a good man. Little Scout walked me home when I asked. Held me by the arm and walked me back the whole way. Didn't judge me even though she knows what I done. Almost like she appreciates me; sees me for who I am or perhaps who I long to be. I have never quite been appreciated before. It warms my heart to know that I got someone on my side. Looking out at the neighborhood with her by my side, I had never felt more at peace. The Finch kids don't see me as a monster, but rather an ally and a friend. I love those kids and thank them for teaching me how to be more than the stories that are told behind my back.
Reflection
Perspective: Braya Hafler
One of the most popular quotes in Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird is one from Atticus Finch that reads, "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." (Lee 39) This theme is evident throughout the entire story, and it is an invaluable lesson crucial for growth and understanding as a human person. I loved doing this point of view assignment because it can be so easy to only see something from one perspective. In the case of this novel, the reader tends to only see things from the perspective of Scout Finch. And, while I can relate to Scout and agree with her most of the time throughout the story, I loved the challenge of looking at important scenes through the eyes of the other characters present. I think this project is a genius way to truly gain something from reading; it's a real life application of what Atticus tries so hard to instill in his children and, by extension, what Mr. Crooke clearly wants us to take away and apply in our own lives as well.
