Week 28: Ain' it Great?
This week we read the trial scene of Tom Robinson. In doing so, many of you participated in your first reader's theaters. You volunteered to read the role of the most prominent characters in this scene. Each of you who read aloud did an exceptional job.
Specifically, we analyzed the testimonies of Heck Tate and Bob Ewell. Ewell's testimony was weak and full of inconsistencies, so much so that Jem was convinced Tom would be acquitted.
This scene paints the Ewell family as the dark and twisted characters they are, but as Wayne Flynt aptly suggests the Ewell family may have brought the incident to trial, but it was the men of Maycomb's hearts who were truly wicked.
The silent people of Maycomb who knew better but chose to turn a blind eye to the injustice of a biased jury are the ones who inadvertently kill Tom Robinson.
In today's equivalency, we (who know better) are the one who are responsible for the death of the Mockingbird/the exploitation of the innocent, every time we remain silent about poverty, injustice, oppression, or simply neglecting to notice others.
People have asked me for many years why I love this book so much. What I just wrote is the reason. This novel is a good read, but more than that, it teaches me about the kind of teacher I want to be in this life.
Ain't it Great ,
Mrs. Bell
