Laura+Rachel

__Feb. 22, 2009: Chapters 1-5__ In chapter 4, page 37. Scout fist discovers the hole in the tree with gum. Who do you think you put the gum there, and why? Why do you think that the first thing that was put into the tree was gum, and why? -R I   think that it was Boo (Arthur) Radley. I am not really sure why he put gum in the tree, especially since he didn't even know if Scout was going to find it. Maybe he thought it was something that kids enjoy, and thought it would catch their attention to keep them coming back. What do you think?? I am pretty sure that it was Boo Radley, because Nathan Radley closed the hole in the tree and pretended it was because it was dieing. Why would he do that if he wasnt trying to stop his brother? This just made me more curious about why Boo Radley never comes out of the house. What do you think about all of this? -L

I also think it was Boo Radley, I dont really know why either, but I think we will be able to prove that it was him who is putting the things in the tree...also I think we, the readiers, will have more evidence once we get passed chapter 5. I think Arthur/Boo put the gum in the tree because he knew/hoped that Scout, Dill or Jem was going to find it and take it. He put the gum in the tree to maybe slowly start a safe and happy relationship with the kids. I think that Mathan is trying to stop Boo from connecting to anyone in the town. I dont really understand why the Radleys are trying to hid Boo. Because I dont think Boo is bad, I don't think he stabbed this dad or eat his moms fingure. I just think that he is miss understood. I agree with what Atticus said on page 33. "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." I think that this line is going to be a big part if my inference is rightabout the connection with the trial and Boo Radley. -R I also don't know what is wrong with Boo Radley, but I agree that it isnt as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I am not really sure what his significance is, or how he is connected to the trial. What do you think? Do you think that we will see him out of the house before the end of the book? I think that we will, but I am not sure when or why it will happen. I am confused about the connection between Boo Radley and what Ms. Maudie was saying about religion (p.50). I think that it is connected to why he never comes out of the house, how about you? -L **Rachel and Laura -- way to go, making up your first chat! I'm impressed. Remember to find ways in which the book reminds you of something in your own life. And yes, do be patient with Harper Lee -- she will give us more information about Boo. :) You're doing a nice job, both of you. Great team. -- Ms. C** **.

__Feb. 23, 2009: Chapters 6-10__

Ms. Maudie seems to know a lot about everyone. Do you think she knows what is really going on with Boo Radley, and just hasnt told anyone?? People still act like the Radleys in today's society. People who are different from what is considered "normal" are treated differently too. Scout is often scolded by her aunt, because she does not act like a girl (ch. 10). Why is this so important to her? I dont believe what Atticus said about her not understanding because she doesnt have a girl, because she was once a girl too. What do you think? -L

I don't think that Ms. Maudie knows about the true Boo. I just think that Ms. Maudie is almost someone who gets board, so she picks up on gossip on the people in town. So she listens and knows about th GOSSIP of Boo. I agree with what you said about how people are treated when they are not, "normal." I think Scouts importance is a child growing up where many people are rasised, except her father, at lease he does not show it. Scout is important becuase she is a girl who is trying to learn right from wrong on a hard topic. She is trying to learn if she should folw the communities point of view or her families point of view. I think. Do you agree with this? Why or why not? I kind of agree with what Atticus said, but I am mostly with you Laura. I think that she does understand, but Atticus just has a better understanding. -R**

**__March 2 2009: Chapters 11-17__** **In chapter 15 when Jem, Scout and Dill show up at the jail where they interfere with Atticus, Tom Robinson, and the mob…what do you think would have happened to Atticus and Mr. Robinson if the kids had not shown up and basically saved there life’s? What do you think Harper Lee's purpose of writing this chapter was? ** ** Was there an importance with the kids being in this chapter? Why or why not?** -R

I thought about this myself too, but I wasn't sure what to think. I wonder if Mr. Cunnigham and the rest of the mob would have been able restrain their anger, or if they would have lost control. It almost seemed like Mr. Cunnigham was having an internal debate about what to do, it took him a really long time to respond to Scout. I think that the purpose of this chapter, like LOF, was to show the darkness within everyone, even someone hard working like Mr. Cunnigham. I think that if the kids had not interferred its possible that things would have turned bad, but we found out at the end of the chapter that Mr. Underwood was there with his shot gun. I am not sure what side he would have taken especially since Atticus said in the next chapter that he hates colored people. What do you think about the trail so far?? I am not sure what to think, but it seems as if Mr. Ewells story has some holes in it, that might win Atticus the case. What is your opinion? -L March 6 2009: Chapters 16-23 I wanted to talk about the trial. Did you think that Atticus would win the case? I didn't think he would, because there was a lot of foreshadowing. When Jem was saying that he was sure that they would win, I was pretty sure that they were going to lose. Jem is still an innoncent child, like Dill and Scout, he does not understand how cruel and unfair people can be to other people. I am pretty sure that Atticus thought they were going to lose, he doesnt have a lot of faith in people and their ablility to be fair. I thought that it was really intresting that Mr. Cunnigham was going to aquitt Tom, especially since he wanted to kill him a few nights before. Maybe what Scout did that night in the jail made him rethink what he was planning to do and realized that he was only doing it because of Tom's skin color. We learnt earlier in the book that he always re-pays his debts, and this seemed to contrast with his desire to kill Tom. What do you think? -L

I think that deep down I didnt think that Atticus would win. Of course I wanted him to but when I look at the way that some people in the town feel about people that are different I lost a bit of hope. Also I felt the same way Laura, when Jem said I am sure we've won I was pretty sure that they would lose also. I also agree that Atticus thought that deep down there were going to lose, but I don't agaree that he doesnt have a lot of faith in people and their ability to be so fair. I think that he does, he just does not show it as much as some. Why do you think that Atticus does not have a lot of fath in people? -R March 10 2009: Chapters 24-27 I wanted to talk about the ladies at the missionary meeting in chapter 24. Did you notice how hypocritical they were being? It was kind of sad how smart Mrs. Merriweather and Mrs. Farrow thought they were. It was really annoying how she was calling people hyprocrites on page 267, when really she is one herself. The same is true for Scout's teacher, but at least she realizes it, unlike the missionary ladies. The same was true for Misses Tutti and Frutti. I think that there are still people like this in our world today who are critical of other people. Some people are critical of other people who they think are critical which makes them exactly the same. What do you think about all this? -L Yes I did notice that the woman were being very hypocritical. When I think about chapter 24 and how people are being hypocritical it reminds me of one of my Thanksgivings when 2 of my cousins brought there boyfriends. One of the boyfriends were a total dud...no offence, and his name was Billy. He kind of reminds me of Ms. Merryweather, but not as smart. The other boyfriend was boy was from Kenya, and was a true gentilmen in my opion, and was very educated, and etc. Anyway when it came to dinner time Billy said something extreamly racist, and what was worst was that Jamal, the boy from Kenya, was in the room right there. He was pretty good at not saying anything, but you could tell he was hurt. My mom though did not bother to hid her opion and tood up and snapped right at him but kind of in a Ms. Maudy way. Our whole family, espeically all the girls are VERY happy that Billy is out of our lives. Do you have any stories that remind you of chapter 24? -R

That is really great of your mom. I wish there wasn't people like Billy in our world today, but I guess it takes all kinds to make to world go round. My grandfather is Italian and when he came to Australia he couldn't find a job because no one wanted to hire Italians, which is like how no one wanted to hire Helen after Tom was charged. -L

__March 12 2009: Chapter 28-31__

Were you shocked that Boo Radly was the one who saved Scout and Dill? I was very shocked about this, yet not really because I was guessing that Boo R. would have to come into the story again. Also I never thought that Boo R. was bad, or at least as bad as most people in the town thought he was like. This is a bit weird of a connection, but Boo Radley reminds me of Sirius Black in Harry Potter. What do you think of all of this? -R

I agree, I was wondering how Boo Radley was going to come back into the book. When Scout said she thought some country man had come to help them I thought it was a bit to coincidental especially since they were right behind the Radley house. We really got to see that he wasn't a bad person, just a shy and lonely one. I guess our theories were correct! I agree with your connection, they are very similar. Especially since killing Sirius was like killing Tom Robinson, they were both innoncent. I felt really bad for Atticus in the last few chapters. He must have felt horrible that he did not go with them, especially since Aunt Alexandra had a bad feeling about it. I thought that the best line in the whole book was when Scout casually said "Hey Boo." (page 310) I think that she has really matured since the beginning of the book. If she had met him during those first few summers when they tried to get Boo to come out, she would have reacted much differently. Do you think that this is because she has matured, or is no longer innoncent? perhaps it is both and one must mature to lose their innoncence or vie versa? what do you think? -L

I am glad that you agree with my..our connection with Sirius Black. I agree, I felt for Atticus he seemed like his personality changed after Tom R. death, and he seemed to act...old and tired. I never really thought that Atticus seemed to act old until after Tom's death. What do you think? I really like that quote, or more of the sceen that you choiced, it really completed this book in my opion. I dont think that Scout lost her innoncents, because in away I think everyone as a bit of innocence in them. My favorite quote in the book is when atticus says on page 33 in the book, "You never really inderstand a person until you consider things from his point of view...-until you climb into his skin and walk areound in it." The reason I like this quote so much is that I, Rachel Ketz, can use it personaly. It is a good riminder to me not to judge people until I get to know them. I have metioned this quote in everyday life several times already. I actually think that this quote is my favorite quote in the world, NO JOKE! -R