TKAM THEME PROJECT

Essential Question

• How does the lack of justice for Tom Robinson affect Jem and Scout?

Essential Question Answer

• Because Tom Robinson is black he is not given basic rights. For example, he was automatically considered guilty instead of innocent. Also, when the details of the case came out during the trial, the Maycomb citizens still did not listen to Tom Robinson. Likewise, Jem and Scout experienced their own kind of injustice because Atticus, their father, was defending Tom Robinson.

Example #1

• Chapter 9: Aunt Alexendra's grandson, Francis, tells Scout that Atticus is making the Finchs' lives very miserable because of the case. "He's ruinin' the family, that's what he's doin'" (83). Because of this, Scout beats up Francis. Afterward, Uncle Jack scolds Scout without listening to her side of the story.

Example #2

• Chapter 11: Jem and Scout walk by Mrs. Dubose's house on the way to town and are being mocked by her hurtful words, relating to Atticus. "Yes indeed, what has this world come to when a Finch goes against his raising?" (102). When Mrs. Dubose is being closeminded about Atticus, this relates to the people in Maycomb being closeminded about Tom Robinson.

Example #3

• Chapter 22: In a place as racist as Maycomb County, the white jurors are expected to believe the testimony of a white woman is always true.

Example #3 continued

• Even though Atticus lost the case, the Ewell's were still angry at him for doing his job to the best of his ability. This caused Bob Ewell to threaten Atticus. "...Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he'd get him if it took the rest of his life" (217).

Theme and Subject

• The subject Maturation is related to the theme the older you get, the more problems you have to handle. Harper Lee is trying to tell us that as kids we do not understand complicated situations. However, as we mature and grow up, we have to face problems that we've never dealt with before and try to handle these things on our own.

Theme and Subject continued

• From this, we can learn a valuable lesson: We have to take a stand in what we believe in, sometimes that involves being brave and acting on our beliefs.

Passage #1

• Chapter 26: Because of Jem's age he thinks about things with more complexity. When Scout asks Jem about her racist teacher's reaction to Hitler's prosecution of the Jews, Jem responds angrily. Atticus explains to Scout that Jem is trying to process some difficult information. "Atticus said that Jem was trying hard to forget something, but he was really doing was storing it away for awhile, until enough time passed" (247).

Passage #2

• Chapter 22: When we are kids we tend to think simple thoughts. For example, the children in TKAM thought no one except Atticus helped Tom Robinson. Miss Maudie encouraged the kids to think in a more complex way by pointing out that Judge Taylor specifically picked Atticus to defend Tom. "This was a thought....Maxwell Green should have had Tom Robinson's case" (215).

Theme Character

• Throughout the book, Jem becomes increasingly more mature. Jem is the one who has to work through his anger towards Mrs. Dubose. Also, Jem continues to fight through his anger towards the jurors. Furthermore, Jem matures to see the good in other people.

Theme Symbol

• In Chapter 25, Scout sees a roly-poly bug and automatically wants to kill it. However, Jem tells Scout not to kill the roly-poly bug. The short scene in Chapter 25 with the roly-poly bug is a symbol of how mature and sensitive Jem has become.

The Secret Life of Bees

• In the book, The Secret Life of Bees, the main character, Lilly, runs away from home with her stand-in mother, Rosaleen. Throughout her journey, Lilly becomes more mature and thoughtful. For example, Lilly is surrounded by 3 sisters and a boy her age named Zach. In this enviornment, Lilly thrives and begins to learn more about herself.

The Secret life of bees continued

• In conclusion, Lilly learns that she is smarter than she thought she was and that she is more independent then she thought she could be.

THe Hanging Tree

• This song is moody and disturbing. However, this song forces people to think through uncomfortable situations.
• These lyrics represent maturity: Are you, are you coming to the tree, wear a necklace of hope, side by side with me.
• Furthermore, these lyrics encourage people to grow, which is maturity.