Scottsboro Book
Engl. Mo1B
24 February 2013 Can Change Occur Aelflaed of Duckford once said, "In the Society we begin with an "everyone's equal" base and procede swiftly to rank people by their relative worth and contributions to the Society. Of course it's not always equitable, but if noblesse oblige is practiced scrupulously, those with rank will be so gracious to those without that no one will feel left out. It's an ideal. We won't reach it, but we can aim for it." How does ones upbringing affect the way ones’ life will unfold? Does one follow the path that has been laid out for them, or do they make their own? A lot of times, the choice is easier said than done, and people take the easy way out. Then there are those who find joy in helping others that are lower than they are. But why do these “high rank” people go out of their way for the “lower rank”? In the novel, “Scottsboro” by Ellen Feldman, these are some of the questions that are examined. This is a novel that is based on an ugly time in American history. It blends historical facts and brings in some fictional characters. One of these characters, Alice Whittier, is the main focus. She is a woman who was raised by affluent parents who helped guide her to the right path in life. She is a young journalist who is out to save the world. There are two other characters who are the direct opposite of Alice, whose names are Victoria Price and Ruby Bates. These are two teenage girls who have little education and live in poverty. When the lives of these women cross paths, they each try to understand the others’ lives. Even though Alice is sympathetic and caring, she is still distanced from the life these two young girls lead. She is trying to make them her own personal mission. Throughout the novel we get to know about people who are givers, and people who are takers. One of the most giving people in the novel is Alice Whittier. Alice was born with “noblesse oblige”, which means she has to act in a manner that
24 February 2013 Can Change Occur Aelflaed of Duckford once said, "In the Society we begin with an "everyone's equal" base and procede swiftly to rank people by their relative worth and contributions to the Society. Of course it's not always equitable, but if noblesse oblige is practiced scrupulously, those with rank will be so gracious to those without that no one will feel left out. It's an ideal. We won't reach it, but we can aim for it." How does ones upbringing affect the way ones’ life will unfold? Does one follow the path that has been laid out for them, or do they make their own? A lot of times, the choice is easier said than done, and people take the easy way out. Then there are those who find joy in helping others that are lower than they are. But why do these “high rank” people go out of their way for the “lower rank”? In the novel, “Scottsboro” by Ellen Feldman, these are some of the questions that are examined. This is a novel that is based on an ugly time in American history. It blends historical facts and brings in some fictional characters. One of these characters, Alice Whittier, is the main focus. She is a woman who was raised by affluent parents who helped guide her to the right path in life. She is a young journalist who is out to save the world. There are two other characters who are the direct opposite of Alice, whose names are Victoria Price and Ruby Bates. These are two teenage girls who have little education and live in poverty. When the lives of these women cross paths, they each try to understand the others’ lives. Even though Alice is sympathetic and caring, she is still distanced from the life these two young girls lead. She is trying to make them her own personal mission. Throughout the novel we get to know about people who are givers, and people who are takers. One of the most giving people in the novel is Alice Whittier. Alice was born with “noblesse oblige”, which means she has to act in a manner that