TKAM: Journal #5 Chapters 16-24 Perspective of Jem

Dear diary,

      The whole town of Maycomb, people i'd never even seen before scurried past my house today, to see the trial of Tom Robinson. It was odd seeing a crowd of people who looked about ready for a carnival make their way to a trial that could possibly take away a mans life. Atticus had specifically told us to stay home before he left. But, how on earth could he expect us to stay home when the whole town got to watch, especially since it was our father defending Tom. Scout and I stealthily snuck out,  we stopped to get Dill on our way to the court. We could feel the anticipation filling the air, as we quickly shuffled down the side walk. People began filling the court room, but I decided it'd be best to go in last to avoid the apprehension that Atticus would catch us disobeying his orders. The room was nearly full so we joined Mr. Dolphus in being the only white people in the black section of the court room. We gladly sat with Reverend Skyes.

      The witnesses were called to the stand one by one. Atticus did a great job making the point that Bob Ewell is left handed and Mayella Ewell was struck to the right side of the face. It could not have possibly been Tom, his left arm is useless and my father made that very clear to everyone in that court room. I felt so proud of Atticus. He may not play football or go hunting like other dads, but that man is a brilliant lawyer and a good person. He was clearly working as hard as he possibly could to prove his client innocent, and I didn't see how any jury, black, white, rich, or poor could think to convict Tom Robinson for a crime he so obviously did not commit.  Atticus almost had Mayella Ewell admit that her father beats her, but the way Bob looked at her with so much intimidation reminded her what would happen later if she made him out to the bad person he is. Even though she didn't admit it with her words, I thought it was pretty obvious the whole story she and her father stated under oath was a lie. The story changed slightly each time it was told and Atticus made that clear to the jury.

       When Tom Robinson told the jury and all of maycomb the true events that took place, I knew he was telling the complete truth. He was so sure of each word that left his mouth and stuck to everything he said. Tom is a good man, purely kind he would never even consider touching a woman the way Mayella Ewell accused him of doing so. The trial sustained my attention the whole day, I saw it extremely improbable  that the jury would even come close to convicting Tom. I know trials between a white and a black man almost always turn out on the side of the white man, but I thought this was different. I just could not see any human being in this world putting a kind and innocent man like Tom to death for a crime there was no way he committed. I was wrong, when it was announced that Tom Robinson was guilty of raping Mayella Ewell, every speck of hope I saw in the world disappeared. I felt ashamed to live among such ignorant and prejudice people. The only thing that made me feel a little better was knowing that my father, Atticus Finch is not one of those people and he has raised Scout and I not to be one of them either.

TKAM: Journal #4 Chapters 13-15 Perspective of Aunt Alexandra

Dear Diary,

      I arrived at Atticus' house today. I will be living with them for a while, to help him out with Jeremy and Jean Louise, because Atticus has been so preoccupied with his trial. I know Jm is fine but Scout desperately needs a woman figure in her life, to compensate for her mother's absence. My poor brother has so much to handle, but I know I will be a great help to him. At first the children seemed shocked and not particularly excited to have me staying with them, but that is already starting to change. I know we will get along just fine, especially Jean and I. I am going to teach her to be more lady like and respectful.

      I have already been making a great impact on their lives, I have been filling them in on the Finch family history and encouraging them to try and live up to their name. This is one thing Atticus has not done a good job of teaching them. I have so much to improve about my niece and nephew, I am quite excited to see the two of them learn from me, it is the least I can do for my poor brother. I know if his children acquire good manners and are respectful and well behaved it will help his reputation be restored. Even if he doesn't seem to care about it much now, I know he will thank me later. Also, the way they behave right now is quite shameful to the family.

      I could not believe what emerged from Jean Louise's mouth today. While Atticus was gone they went to a black church with Calpurnia. What shocked me even more was that Atticus thought nothing of it. I know he is a great father, but sometimes he has no sense of what is bad for his children! Then she asked if she could go to Calpurnia's house sometime and I told he that she could not. She disrespectfully stated that the question was in no way directed towards me. Atticus extracted an apology from her, but I know she had no intention of saying sorry or for that matter never disrespecting me again. Calpurnia is clearly not a good influence for the children! I tried to convince Atticus that with me around there was no need for Calpurnia's presence. The idea was unimaginable to Atticus. He needs to know that as long as I am staying in his house helping out, my ideas must be considered.

    

    

TKAM: Journal #3 Chapters 9-12 Perspective of Atticus

Dear Diary,

           

      I am worried about Scout, she gets so worked up about what other people say, it is peril for her self esteem. I don’t know how she will survive this next year. She already got into a fight with Cecil Jacobs , because he said I defend “niggers.” I tried explaining to her that this statement was indeed accurate. I told her about the man Tom Robinson whom I am defending in court, I explained to her that the things people say only become insults when we let them get to us, but is was as if I was inaudible. I feel bad for putting Jem and her through all of this, but I honestly think it’s a good life lesson for the two of them, especially Scout. That girl needs to learn how to stay strong and not let other people get her down. I think Christmas with the family will be nice break for us.

           

      Christmas was very nice, it was great to see the family. Things can get a little lonely when I am at home without contemporaries, at least I have Cal. Scout didn’t have as great a time as I had hoped though. It was actually pretty bad, she punched her cousin Francis square in the mouth. I was perplexed. Her fowl language was embarrassing enough; Scout contradicts morals in every way possible . Just when you think things are bad with her, somehow they get worse. She didn’t tell me until now that she punched the poor boy, because he called me a “nigger lover.” She didn’t even know what the term meant, yet she almost killed him because of it. Dear lord what on earth am I going to do about this child!

                                                             

      Oh boy, I knew Scout was trouble, but I thought Jem was a different story.  The kids have been telling me about how Ms. Dubose angers them and I guess Jem just couldn’t handle it anymore. I guess she must have insulted me pretty badly because Jem lost his temper and ruined her beautiful garden. I spoke with her and she decided the best punishment would be to have Jem read to her after school everyday for a month. Jem and Scout began spending lots of time at Ms. Dubos’ house, I think the secretly like it.

           

      Ms. Dubose passed away today. She had Jessie put a beautiful Camellia in a candy box for Jem. I think it represented that it is very hard to destroy something, even delicate flowers. This whole experience with Ms. Dubose has been a great lesson for the kids, in so many different ways.

                                                               

      I hope they do okay while I’m away for two weeks, I know they will do well with Cal.

           

 

TKAM: Journal #2 Chapters 4-8 Perspective of Ms. Maudie

Dear Diary,
  
       It has been a lovely summer, and I am sad to watch it fade away. I spent most of the summer in my garden tending god's beautiful plants, and baking cakes for the Finch children. I've grown very close with Scout Finch. While her brother and Dill tormented my yard, we sat on the porch, teetering in our rocking chairs, enjoying the fresh summer air almost every evening. I do love Scout. She's not an ordinary little girl, she has a mind of her own an an imagination the runs free like the wind. Her mother died when she was very young and I think she needs a woman figure in her life. Atticus is a great father, but no man could fill the place of a little girl's mother. Scout seems so enamored by my speech, it's quite funny. Maybe I can teach her, she does have one dirty little mouth.
                                                    
                                                                   * * * * * *

       It's snowing in Maycomb county, hasn't snowed here since 1885. The children even got to miss school, Scout and Jem spent most of their day off building a fabulous snow man! I know I should be more excited about this spectacular weather, but now it's too cold to be outside and I can't stand staying in this big old house all day.  It seems to fall apart more with each step I take.

                                                                    * * * * * *
  
      I'm currently staying with Miss Stephanie Crawford, I have to evade telling her my cake recipe you will not believe what disasters took place today. God sure did take it serious when I complained about my house! A fire that jumped around the neighborhood, started at my house and it burned the old place down to ashes. It was terrifying. The whole neighborhood was out side watching, all the men were  trying to save as many things as possible. I've never seen anything so malignant, it destroyed everything in it's path, it was pure tyranny. But, I've been trying to look at the situation in a positive light, it's a fresh start. I've been wanting a new house for a long time now, I just didn't expect to need one anytime soon. Maybe this is a sign, certainly a forceful one. Well, I hope everything works out well and I'm thankful to have such supportive neighbors. Thank you for listening diary, I don't know what on earth I would do without you.