It was the night of Ms. Merriweather's Pageant. Most of the town was going to be there to watch the pageant. It was getting late, and the night was still. I was sitting in my rocking chair and suddenly I heard someone yelling. I could tell it was the kids, Jem and Scout. I was scared so I ran to the kitchen and grabbed a knife. I waited outside, but stood still watching them to make sure no harm came to them. They were walking, and every now and then they stopped to listen. I didn't know what the were trying to listen too. I suddenly found out. I saw someone creeping in the background. I kept my eye on the dark figure that blended into the night. It was an inconvenience to night for something like this to happen, because of the pageant that had just went on. The kids started walking again, and the figure did to. Then the dark figure started running, and I was alert ready to come out to the rescue. Jem looked back and saw the man running and he yelled. "Run, Scout! Run! Run!" Scout was running but she couldn't see through her costume, and she screamed for help. Through her terrified voice she cried out "Jem, Jem, help me, Jem!" The dark figure now had a hold of Scout, and was strangling her. I didn't know what to do. Scout went tumbling , and Jem grabbed her and they started to run, but the man got to Jem. Jem was struggling, and then there was a crunching sound and Jem screamed in pain. It was his arm. His arm was broken, broken like a bow and arrow. The man was trying to persecute the kids, and then I ran into action. The wind brushed against my face as I ran fast towards the man. The man was now on the floor, and Scout was rolling towards him probably thinking it was Jem. He then grabbed her and started squeezing her. I could hear her starting to breath hard, and I revived myself and started towards the man and got a grip on him. I pulled him back, making him release Scout. I took the knife that trembled in my hands and stabbed the knife below his ribs. I was by the tree now where Jem was. The man was coughing violently, but I was concerned about Jem. I grabbed the unconscious boy who was allegedly under the tree, and ran him to Atticus's house. His arm wobbling and positioned in a way that I have never seen before. I entered the house and set him on his cushioned bed. Atticus was surprised. He looked confused. The first thing he did was run to the phone and call Dr. Reynolds. I had forgotten Scout, but she had arrived safely as I heard he voice talking to her Aunt. I leaned against the wall of Jems room. I kept thinking that what had happened tonight was improbable, but I knew it was real.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Journal # 9 Chapter 28 - 31 Perspective of Boor Radley
Posted by Haileigh Smith at 7:13 PM 1 comments
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Journal # 8 ch 25-27 Perspective of Jem
School had started and Scout and I take walk past the Radley house everyday once again. I was now in the seventh grade and Scout was now in the third. Things were different now. I didn't see Scout often. I would walk to school with her and then see her a meal times, but other than that we didn't see each other.
During the year we had football try outs, and I went out but I didn't make the team. I was too slender and young to try out so the only other option was carrying the teams water buckets.
One day after school I was sitting in my room reading a magazine, and then Scout dropped on by. Scout was talking to me about how her third grade teacher was talking about Hitler and how he persecuted the Jews. Scout went on and asked me " How could Miss Gates talk about equality when she came out of the courtroom after the trial telling Miss Stephanie Crawford that it was about time that someone taught the blacks in this town a lesson?" I became very angry with Scout. I never wanted to hear about that trial again. I yelled to Scout. "I never want to hear about the courthouse again, ever,ever you hear me? Now go on!" Scout walked quickly from out of my room and shut the door softly. I felt kind of bad for yelling at Scout. Especially because of the way she looked at me. I could tell she was shocked. I was so mad though, but in an emotional way. I was mad instead of sad, I guess to hide the sadness that I felt from the trial. I went on reading my magazine, but couldn't read because my mind was focused on what happened the day of the trial. I tried to read but I went get side tracked and kept thinking of what happened that day. The trial played in my head as I kept thinking of the obscure thing that happened to Tom. I didn't want to think of the trial anymore so I thought about what Scout had said to me. It was like a scene replaying as I thought. As I thought of what Scout had said to me, I was now mad at her teacher Miss Gates. I was mad at her because she lied to Scout. I was then searching for that one word that would describe people like Miss Gates, and then I figured out that Miss Gates was a hypocrite. The day had ended quickly and it was getting dark. Every time I looked outside my window it seemed to get darker and darker in seconds. It was bright and then you could see the sun fall behind the housed. It turned to dusk and all that was left to see was the stars. I crept into bed and stared into the darkness. I was sustained, until it turned pitch black.
Posted by Haileigh Smith at 5:01 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Journal 7 chapter 20-24 Perspective of Atticus
Everyone sits as I begin my closing statement giving it all I got. I tried to think of the many things that were said during the court case so that I could use it. I explained that Tom was not guilty in many different shapes and forms. I was finishing going over the evidence of the case, but now it was time to make a more personal appeal to those in the jury. I then stopped and made some obscure gesture. I unbuttoned my vest and collar, took of my coat setting it on my briefcase and loosened my hands with my nervous hands. I turned to the jury with my hands in my pockets and began to speak. As I spoke I walked up and down the jury, with my leather shoes scraping the floor. Every now and then I would look at my feet and the look up to see many faces. As I spoke to the jury it wasn't stern it was nice, easy I talked to them as if we were not in court. I was wrapping my closing statement. I really wanted the jury to think over everything that had happened today and see all the things we have discovered during the case. important evidence that it was not Tom Robinson. I said to the jury " Gentlemen, I shall be brief, but I would like to use my remaining time with you to remind you that this case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute sifting of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant. To begin with, this case should never have come to trial.This case is as simple as black and white." As I had said this I looked around as I was not only talking to the jury, but the people outside the jury. I spoke once more of what had gone on. I declared that Tom Robinson was not guilty, but someone in this court room was. I began to trace back everything and make another speech. I wanted everyone to see the truth. I did not want to see a helpless man suffer. So I began and looked at everyone for attention. "I have nothing but pity in my heart for the chief witness for the state, but my pity does not expand so far as to her putting a man's life at stake, which she has done in an effort to get rid of her own guilt. As I paused I couldn't help but to keep going. Everything was racing through my head, I read out loud everything that came flowing around in my mind. I new that it was my job to protect and serve this man at the time and that I could not let him down. And at that time I wasn't going to. I was sustain, I had to keep going and keep this man living. I thought to myself. "I say guilt, gentlemen, because it was guilt that motivated her. She has committed no crime, she has merely broken a rigid and time-honored code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our mists as unfit to live with. She is the victim of cruel poverty and ignorance, but I cannot pity her: she is white. .............. She did something every child has done-she tried to put the evidence of her offence away from her............ What evidence of offence? Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was her daily reminder of what she did. What did she do? She tempted a negro." I went on a little longer until I was finished, and cleaned my glasses with the handkerchief I slipped out from my pocket. I sat down. My mouth was dry so I had a drink, I sipped slowly and turned to Mr. Tom Robinson. I then looked at the the lying hypocrite named Mayella. She was a liar and I new that she believed in something different. I was trying to be inevitable because I new her story was wrong. There was another story. I got up one last time to change any minds that Tom was guilty. In my mind I was apprehensive that Tom would lose. As I finished I muttered under my breath "In the name of God, do your duty."
Posted by Haileigh Smith at 4:28 PM 2 comments
Friday, May 22, 2009
Journal # 6 ch 16-19 Perspective of Mayella
I am a nineteen year old lady who lives at home with her father. I take care of my brothers and sisters as a mother because my mama died when she delivered her seventh child. My family is pauper. We cant afford much and my father spends a lot of it for himself. We don't go to school either. The only education I had was from first and second grade, but that was years ago. I don't have any friends either so I just stay at home and work. Some things have happened in the next couple of days. They weren't good things either.
The next day I was getting ready for court and every one was crowding in trying to get good seats. Everyone from Maycomb was in the courtroom. I was amazed to see so many people. There were some many that some had to stand. I sat down into the wooden chair and thought as everyone chatted. I zoned out and thought. Will I be able to pull it off, I wonder what will happen. I thought of the things that might happen and began to get nervous.
Before I new it court had begun and Heck Tate was called to the stand. He began on November 21, when my papa ran down to get him after he saw me on the floor. My papa ran to Heck Tate and told him his girl was raped. When he got there I was still on the floor not knowing what happened. He had found me bruised all over, he ran towards be and touched my face with his beating hand from running. His hand was warm. He got me some ice for my bruises as I told him what Tom Robinson had done. Atticus had interrupted to question Heck Tate. He questioned him why he didn't call a Doctor. Atticus kept going at him until the judge told him that was enough. Heck went on and said I had other bruises. He talked about my black eye. Then Acticus questioned him again. He asked him what side of my face was the black eye, Heck stuttered and thought. Then he went on saying it was my right eye. Then Atticussaid "Your right or her right?" Heck Tate jumped quickly saying "Oh yes that would make it her left eye." His testimony went on and soon he was done. He came done from the stand and sat back in his seat. Next up was my Papa. I was scared, but I watched to see what happenedd. My father told his side of the story and what he saw happen. He said that he was coming out from the woods with kindling and he heard be screaming with all I had got. He ran to the house and saw Tom Robinson in the house with me and I was on the floor. When Tom saw my dad coming he ran out the door. Atticus then cross examined and asked Papa some questions. He told him to write his signature on the back of an envelope, and I thought this was irrelevant. Papa looked up as he wrote and his eyes found Judge Taylor watching him with a complacently look. " Your left handed."
"Yeah, and what does that have to do with anything?" said father. Atticus was getting to the point, and now it was starting to look like my Papa had done it. It seems as if it would be more likely if a left handed man would have given me a black eye rather than someone who was right handed. Pa came down from the stand and sat done.
" Mayella Violet Ewell!" I was now called to the stand. I was terrified, shaking and almost sweating. I went stealthy towards the witness stand. My testimony began. Mr. Gilmer told me just to tell everyone what had happened the day of November 21.
"Where were you on that day?" asked Mr. Gilmer
" On the front porch." I stuttered.
"Which porch?" he asked.
"There ain't but one, the front porch." I said
"Just tell us what happened." said Judge Taylor. I could tell he wanted everything to be done now, so I went on. I looked at him as if I were going to speak, and then slowly fell into tears.
"That's enough now. Don't be 'fraid of anybody here, as long as you tell the truth. All this is strange to you, I know, but you've nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to fear. What are you scared of?”
I muttered what I was scared of into my hands.
"What was that?" said Judge Taylor.
"Him." I pointed my arm straight at Atticus.
“Mr. Finch?” he said
I nodded. "Don't want him doin' me like he done my Papa."
Judge Taylor stared at me and said. "How old are you?"
"Nineteen" I replied softly.
“Mr. Finch has no idea of scaring you,” he growled, “and if he did, I’m here to stop him. That’s one thing I’m sitting up here for. Now you’re a big girl, so you just sit up straight and tell the-tell us what happened to you. You can do that, can’t you?”
I sniffled and wiped my tears and began telling my story.
I told him to come help and i told him I would give him a nickel to break up a dresser for me. When he finished I went inside to get him a nickel and he came inside the house and grabbed me and started to take advantage of me. Atticus started to ask me question and asked me about my life. He asked me why i didn't scream, and if I didn't why didn't they bring the kids home runnin'. Atticus was polite, but started telling be how Tom Robinson couldn't have raped me because of his useless left hand, which was torn apart by a cotton gin when he was just a boy.
Atticus yelled to me saying why don't you just admit that you were not raped and that your father had beaten you. I was furious with Atticus and said to the whole court room that they would be cowards for not convicting Tom Robinson of such crime. I then just bursted into tears and would not answer anymore questions, I refused. We had a break and then Tom Robinson was called to the stand. He started his testimony saying that he always passed our house on the way to work for Link Deas. He then said that I asked him to get a package down from my dresser. So he went inside the fence an climbed up to get it. He then said that I had grabbed his legs scaring him, and that I kissed him. When my father came home he said he was calling him a whore. I thought he sounded like a fraud, making everything up.
Then Link Deas the man that had Tom Robinson was working for him stood up and said, that in eight years of working fro him Tom had never been a problem. At that time Mr. Gilmer had the perfect chance to cross examine Tom Robinson. Mr. Gilmer did so and started questioning. Mr. Gilmer then said that Tom Robinson was once arrested for disorderly conduct. Mr. Gilmer also got Tom Robinson to admit that he had the strength to choke the breath out of a woman and sling her to the floor like he had done to me. Mr. Gilmer kept going at him until Tom said he was sorry for me. There was some talk at the end and I was happy. I knew it in my gut that Tom Robinson would be guilty, and I couldn't wait. Just a couple more days till we found out. Court was over an we all got up out of our chairs. I walked away with a smirk on my face, and father and me walked out the door with the light shining on our faces.
Posted by Haileigh Smith at 6:38 PM 1 comments
Monday, May 18, 2009
Journal #5 Chapters 13-15 Perspective of Dill
It was one day when I wanted to spend time with my mom and my new dad, but they kept saying go play with your toys, and then went into a room and shut the door. I guess them getting me toys was a compensation for me letting them be a lone, but I still didn't like it.I began to notice this happening a lot. I felt so a lone I felt like they didn't like me. It was getting near supper and mother was cooking. I was in my room playing, and she called me down for supper. I ran down stairs and took a seat at the table. We were having soup. She set a bowl in front of me and I grabbed a spoon and started slurping. After dinner they disappeared into a room. I had to do the dishes. I didn't like this anymore and I thought they would do better off with out me. I walked up the steep stairs with my head down watching my feet as I made it to my room. I opened the door and as my hand touched the cold metal door knob I had a thought. I opened the door and jumped onto my bed and bounced up and down. I landed on my butt and thought to myself. I'm going to run away. That night I waited for silence. I waited a while and kept quiet to listen to my parents door shut. I heard some giggles and a faint click. I slowly crept out of bed. I pulled my covers off, and slowly scooted myself off the bed. I leaned on the bed, and the bed squeaked. I tiptoed into the hall and down stairs to mothers purse. I searched for the purse and found it laying on top of a wooden table. I opened it and took thirteen dollars. I held the money in my hand and then tiptoed out the back door. I then ran away to catch the nine o'clock train where I payed for my ticket. It was a long trip, but I had the chance to relax on the train ride. I was dropped off at the Maycomb Junction, and then walked ten to fourteen miles. It seemed endless. I dragged my feet and I looked up. I spotted a cotton wagon and hid behind some bushes. I then snuck towards the cotton wagon and jumped on. The cotton wagon went straight into town. I jumped of the cotton wagon when the neighborhood looked a little familiar and found my way to the Finch's house.
I looked up at it and could hear loud voices. I looked around and went around to the back of the house and entered through the back door. Up stairs was quiet so I ran up the stairs trying to be quiet. I entered Scouts room and looked around. I heard someone coming upstairs so I slid under the bed trying to make myself fit. I heard people talking. It was Jem and Scout. I couldn't make out what they were saying but suddenly I could hear them fight. I tried to see what was going on because it became very quiet. I slid my self upwards to see through the door. Standing their was Atticus. His voice deepened and he started to talk to Scout and Jem about living up to their name, and how they were Finch's. He said that they had to start acting like Finch's now. Atticus left the room and Scout and Jem went to bed. Scout jumped into bed and it startled me so I moved. I knew she heard me because she ran into Jem's room. "Jem, I think there is a snake under my bed," Scout said.
"Are you playing a joke on me?" Jem asked Scout.
They both walked into the room and Jem used a broom and swept under the bed. I grunted. I then decided that I had to come out sooner or later so I emerged from out under the bed and said "Hey!" I was happy to see Scout again.
They looked at me in shock. "Dill, what are you doing here?" Asked Scout with her eyes shocked from what she is seeing. I explained. I first started out with a fake story to impress Scout, but then I told them what really happened. I told the how I acquired money from my moms purse, and then went on. Jem then went and told Atticus about me being here, and I was shocked he would tell. Atticus came upstairs and stared at me with a pensive expression. I didn't know what he was going to do. Atticus then spoke and offered me leftover food. I couldn't believe those words tumbled out of his mouth, although I was pretty hungry. I begged not to tell my Aunt Rachel, but he did anyways and explained to her that I would be spending the night. That night I met another Finch, Auntie Alexandra. I heard Atticus talking to Mrs. Rachel on the phone. I wanted to listen, but I was preoccupied eating left overs. It was a nice night, and I slept with Scout, and as we talked that night I drifted asleep.
Posted by Haileigh Smith at 7:05 PM 2 comments
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Journal # 4 Chapter 10-12 Perspective of Miss Maudie
It was a beautiful afternoon, the flowers were blooming, the sun was as bright as a sunflower, and the sky a fluorescent blue. I was working in my garden, planting some new plant, and Scout came along. She was inaudible as she walked by. I took of my gardening gloves and set them to the side as Scout skipped towards me. Scout stepped in front of me and looked me in the eyes. " Atticus told me that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, is it true?" She said. I nodded gently and said, " Your father is right." I went on. " Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird." Scout asked another question, and soon we were on a different subject. Scout asked if the neighborhood was old, and I replied saying that the neighborhood was older than the town. "Nome, I mean the folks on our street are all old. Jem and me's the only children around here. Mrs. Dubose is close onto a hundred and Miss Rachel's old and so are you and Atticus." said Scout. When I heard her say Atticus was old I was a little puzzled. " I don't call fifty very old." I said. "Not being wheeled around yet, am I? Neither is your father." I told Scout that she hasn't been around of young people, and she replied saying she did. The kids and grownups at school. I could see how she felt with her father being contemporaries with others than the young parents at Scouts school. I told her if her father was thirty she'd be living a different life. " I sure would. Atticus cant do anything......." Scout said. I gave her a little smirk and said " You'd be surprised. There is life in him yet."
Posted by Haileigh Smith at 4:33 PM 2 comments
Monday, May 11, 2009
Journal#3 8-9 Perspective of Atticus
It was autumn, and I was amazed to see that it was snowing. Mrs Radley died that winter, and the kids Jem and Scout were wondering if her death was because of Boo Radley. As I returned from the Radley house I told them that she died from natural causes. Jem and Scout looked disappointed that it wasn't Boo Radley's doing. I went back inside the house with Jem and Scout and read the newspaper.
Posted by Haileigh Smith at 7:16 PM 2 comments