Reading Selection 05.08

Chapter 4 of "To Kill A Mockingbird"

Summary

Since Scout passes by Boo Radley's house, she one day spots a hole on a tree. Inside the hole, there are two pieces of gum. Scout puts the gum in her mouth and when Jem finds out he does not approve of what Scout has done. It is now summer and the children find jewelry and Indian-head pennies in the hole. Dill arrives during summer and is "superstitious." Dill tells Scout that death is coming upon her. However, when they decide to play, Jem ends up pushing Scout on a tire making her get to the Radley's place. After this incident, Jem comes up with a new game which is to act out the life of the Radley's. Atticus is not sure if the children are really playing this game or not so he doesn't tell them to stop since he is not sure. Scout remembers that as she was in the Radley's place that time that Jem pushed her while she was on the tire, she heard someone from inside the house laughing at her.

Personal Reaction

I personally think Atticus should put more interest in seeing what the children are playing. I believe Jem should know better than to make up this silly game.

Author's Intent/Organizational Pattern

The author's intent for writing this chapter was to show how the children always end up close or in the Radley's place. In addition, the author showed that the children are always curious, especially in the incidents of the hole on the tree. The organization pattern used in this chapter is chronological order because the chapter goes in order from the beginning of the chapter to the end of the chapter.

Reading Selection 04.08

Chapter 3 of "To Kill A Mockingbird"

Summary

For lunch time, Jem invites Walter to their house to eat together with them. Atticus and Walter are able to speak of how the farm works and the conditions at the farms. To Scout's shock, Walter puts molasses over his entire food. Because Scout was judging Walter for doing this, Calpurnia took Scout to the kitchen and spoke to her about how she should not criticize others' way of doing things. When the children go back to school, Miss Caroline is scared by an animal that comes out of Burris Ewell's hair. Burris Ewell is in a worse economic situation than the Cunningham's. Burris leaves the classroom due to Miss Caroline ordering him to do so. When Scout is home, Atticus notices she is not herself, so he asks her what's wrong. She says that she does not want to attend school and that Atticus should just teach her. However, Atticus tells her she must go to school because it is a law.

Personal Reaction

I personally liked this chapter a whole lot since it shows that no everyone is the same and that one shouldn't criticize others because of how they are.

Author's Intent/Organizational Pattern

The author's intent for writing this chapter was to show how back in the day the social classes where more divided and noticeable, unlike today. In addition, the author showed that Scout has noticed that Miss Caroline is ignorant for judging her students based on their economic level. The organization pattern used in this chapter is chronological order because the chapter goes from the school setting, to the home setting, to the school setting, and back to the home setting.

Reading Selection 03.07

Chapter 2 of "To Kill A Mockingbird"

Summary

The kids are back at school and Dill is sent back to his hometown. Jean's brother, Jem makes sure Jean makes it to the first day of school on time. Jean is entering first grade and Jem is entering fifth grade. In Jean's class, she has a struggle with her teacher due to the fact that Jean can already read, unlike the rest of the students in the class. In addition to being able to read, Jean can also write in cursive and also gets in trouble for that with her teacher. The teacher points out a student who doesn't have money for lunch and Jean interferes with the misunderstanding by explaining to the teacher about the student, Walter, and his family's economic situation. Jean gets punished by the teacher for standing up and explaining.

Personal Reaction

I believe the teacher is not very educated and intelligent enough to teach the class. Jean has a good heart and was taught well at home.

Author's Intent/Organizational Pattern

The author's intent for writing this chapter was to make the teacher look like the ignorant person and Jean like the bigger person who knows better. The organization pattern for this chapter's chronological order.

Reading Selection 02.07

Chapter 1 of "To Kill A Mockingbird"

Summary

Chapter 1 presents the basis for all the characters in the book. The narrator, Jean Louise Finch, is a girl who attends elementary school and is still innocent. The reader can tell that the narrator has a good relationship with her older brother, Jem Finch. As the chapter progresses, Jean explains about her family coming to the United States and each of her uncles' success. Atticus Finch, Jean's father, is a widow and works as a lawyer in Maycomb. The kids do have some memories of their mother, even though she passed away when they were both very young. At home, Atticus receives help from Calpurnia, a woman who has helped with Jem and Jean and does the chores of the house. The narrator explains how her and her brother made a friend during the summer, Charles. Charles was the nephew of one of the Finch's neighbors, Miss Rachel Haverford. During the summer, the three become good friends and decide to visit and disturb Boo Radley. Boo Radley is a neighbor who stabbed his father and who has not been out of his house for years. The kids certainly don’t know what they are getting into by disturbing Boo Radley’s environment.

Personal Reaction

I personally liked this chapter of the book, even though I just started reading it. At first, when I was assigned to read this book, I had a feeling it would be boring but it turns out, I started liking the book by the first chapter. I like to read suspense books and “To Kill a Mockingbird” seems to have a bit of it. The tone of the narrator is very different, yet interesting. If I were Jean, Jem, and Charles, I would not have bothered to even look at Boo Radley’s house. I believe that if someone has not done any harm to you, you must leave them in peace. The book seems like it will be getting better, due to the kids’ curiosity.

Note-Taking

If I had to take notes on this chapter of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” I would probably use the list typ of note-taking because I like to break the chapter down to make it more simple to read. A list would allow me to get the main points of the chapter and to understand the chapter quicker.

What kind of reader are you?

In the quiz I took, it said my two favorite genres are fiction and comedy. I don't believe this is accurate, because I am more of a romantic and non-fiction type of person. I love book that have to do with love or true-based stories.
The last thing I read that I enjoyed was a text message from my friend, saying how much she does not like her classes. I usually laugh at a lot of things and I received that text about an hour ago. I think it's funny how even a text can make me laugh. Even my friends always tell me I laugh at everything. I can't go a day without laughing.