To Kill a Mockingbird
Thesis Statement: In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, as Jem expands his boundaries with regard to various people and events within Maycomb County, Lee shows how the process of growing up and maturing into an adult involves the act of questioning and reasoning, the guidance of enlightened adults, and the acceptance of certain harsh realities.
Topic Sentence: In the beginning of the novel, through his interactions with Boo Radley, Jem learns not to judge a person based upon appearances.
- “Malevolent phantom” lack of empathy - Pretend games- mock his life - “Dined on raw squirrels”- judged
Quote: (talking to Dill) “’strike a match under him.’ I told Jem if he set fire to the Radley house I was going to tell Atticus on him. Dill said striking a match under a turtle was hateful. ‘Ain’t hateful, just persuades him-‘s not like you to chunk him in fire,’ Jem growled. ‘How do you know the match don’t hurt him?’ ‘Turtles can’t feel, stupid.’” Pg 14
- Doesn’t/no feel (Jem lempathy) NH
Transitional: Jem uses his own reasoning after being guided by an adult to expand his thinking of Boo.
- D, Fence- experiences trapped (empathize) - Knothole- q+r who? “Hush a minute, I’m thinking”
Quote: “Before Jem went to his room, he looked for a long time at the Radley Place. He seemed to be thinking again.” Pg 35
- Thinking Boo feelings- empathy - Long time- really cares
Transitional Sentence: Jem recognizes that Boo’s reality is not a “monster” who makes others him victims.
- Cement- cry- HR- locked animal - Before mock friend, “sir” human
Quote: “he stood there until nightfall and I waited for him. When he went in the house I saw he had been crying; his face was dirty in the right places, but I thought it odd that I had not heard him.” Pg 63
- Jem step skin- RHR while - Contrasting freedom that Boo is trapped - Empathetic- crying
Topic Sentence: In the beginning of the novel, through his interactions with Boo Radley, Jem learns not to judge a person based upon appearances.
- “Malevolent phantom” lack of empathy - Pretend games- mock his life - “Dined on raw squirrels”- judged
Quote: (talking to Dill) “’strike a match under him.’ I told Jem if he set fire to the Radley house I was going to tell Atticus on him. Dill said striking a match under a turtle was hateful. ‘Ain’t hateful, just persuades him-‘s not like you to chunk him in fire,’ Jem growled. ‘How do you know the match don’t hurt him?’ ‘Turtles can’t feel, stupid.’” Pg 14
- Doesn’t/no feel (Jem lempathy) NH
Transitional: Jem uses his own reasoning after being guided by an adult to expand his thinking of Boo.
- D, Fence- experiences trapped (empathize) - Knothole- q+r who? “Hush a minute, I’m thinking”
Quote: “Before Jem went to his room, he looked for a long time at the Radley Place. He seemed to be thinking again.” Pg 35
- Thinking Boo feelings- empathy - Long time- really cares
Transitional Sentence: Jem recognizes that Boo’s reality is not a “monster” who makes others him victims.
- Cement- cry- HR- locked animal - Before mock friend, “sir” human
Quote: “he stood there until nightfall and I waited for him. When he went in the house I saw he had been crying; his face was dirty in the right places, but I thought it odd that I had not heard him.” Pg 63
- Jem step skin- RHR while - Contrasting freedom that Boo is trapped - Empathetic- crying