She says: Perhaps I've been a bit hard on Aunt Alexandra. Her role as Atticus's sister take on an entirely new feeling in chapter 24 when she learns of the death of Tom Robinson. In her exchange with Miss Maudie she says:
I can't say I approve of everything he does, Maudie, but he's my brother, and I just want to know when this will ever end. It tears him to pieces. He doesn't show it much, but it tears him to pieces. I've seen him when--what else do they want from him, Maudie, what else?When Miss Maudie inquires as to who it is Aunt Alexandra is referring to she says:
I mean this town. They're perfectly willing to let him do what they're afraid to do themselves-it might lose 'em a nickel. They're perfectly willing to let him wreck his health doing what they're afraid to do, they're...As a big sister myself, I know how protective I can be when it comes to one of my siblings. As I read her words, I began to view Aunt Alexandra in a softer light. It's the first time in the book the word "protagonist" came to mind. Is she on our side after all? Just misunderstood?
He says: I don't think you were too hard on her. She was meddlesome and out of synch with what Atticus was trying to do as a father. I think she saw her move into the Finch house as an opportunity to wield her influence more directly on Scout, who she thought wasn't growing up lady-like enough. She valued the family name in the abstract above what was good for Atticus and the children on a day-to-day basis.
But, yes, when the chips were down, she did come around. Maybe it took an incident as serious as what happened to Jem to open her eyes. For example, after all the times that she'd nagged Scout about wearing a dress, here's what happened in the Finch house on that terrible night (Scout is speaking):
But, yes, when the chips were down, she did come around. Maybe it took an incident as serious as what happened to Jem to open her eyes. For example, after all the times that she'd nagged Scout about wearing a dress, here's what happened in the Finch house on that terrible night (Scout is speaking):
She brought me something to put on, and had I thought about it then, I would have never let her forget it; in her distraction, Aunty brought me my overalls. "Put these on, darling," she said, handing me the garments she most despised.Scout blames the effect on distraction, but maybe we should give Alexandra the benefit of the doubt, and say that she's seen the light.
You are like my big sis, Sun Buns! May I adopt you as such? Smoochies!
ReplyDelete(Hey guys, one possibility here is that Alexandra is the way she is through the whole book because she is "snog deprived." She just needs some snogging! Just a thought...)
She says: EEEYYYYWWWW.
ReplyDeleteShe says: Skeeter Lou, I'll be your big sister any day. You should know that as your pseudo big sister I get to boss you around, tease you incessantly, borrow your lipsticks (including your new lip gloss [I can hear you gasping from my house down the street]) and turn to you to make up some creative excuse as to why we were out until all hours to my husband...just thought you should know.
ReplyDeleteHe says: Hi Skeeter (may I call you that?). If I understand the word "snog" correctly, your idea, while very probably insightful, is one that might get a man in hot water if he suggested it. Well, ain't it?
ReplyDeleteHe says: I thought about this thread some more during my run today.
ReplyDeleteAleisha McD's theory might explain why Heck Tate was so solicitous toward Aunt Alexandra. We've blogged about how men need an incentive in order to be sensitive. Maybe Heck agreed with Skeeter! :)
Ha ha ha! What a terrific thread! I've been dying to comment all day, as I have also been thinking about (and giggling about) this thread! Alas, my "domestic goddess" duties were calling my name, and I've had to devote the majority of my time today to grocery shopping (blech!), mopping the kitchen floor, and doing the laundry (double blech!).
ReplyDeleteAs I understand it, "snogging" is British slang for kissing, cuddling, necking, petting, making out, sucking face, etc. So yes, Atty, a proposition for a snog may land a man in hot water! I guess it depends on the chick. If my McHubby (a little term of endearment for my Irishman) wants to snog, I jump all over that...or rather, him! (YOWZA!!! Should I be making these cheeky comments on such an intellectual and insightful literary blog!?!?! I can just hear Sun saying, "That's Lou for ya!")
I so enjoyed the comment about Heck Tate! Ha ha! See?! I may be on to something here! And yes Atty, you may call me Skeeter. It is one of several nicknames I have, thanks to my lovely Sunny. And what shall I call you? I know you as "pen pal"! Oooohhh! We could call you Mr. Pen Pal...like Mr. Darcy, or Mr. Knightly! (At this point, please observe yet ANOTHER Brit reference in my comment, as well as a "holla" to Ms. Austen. Damn.)
Sun, you ARE my sister! Yes, indeedy. And NO you will NOT be borrowing my lip gloss. (How well you know me, as YES, I did in fact gasp when I read that!! Ha ha ha!!)
Hail to the snog! Never underestimate it's power for good in the universe. I believe it to be as therapeutic as it is fun! And just what that Auntie Alexandra needs! ;)
She says: This entire thread is EXACTLY the reason I wanted to start a blog. GOOD TIMES!
ReplyDeleteSkeeter Lou, you should know that Atty commented to me today that "y'all are getting rowdy". The devious smile plastered all over my face is all I'm going to say in response to that...to the both of you.
I am loving the Heck Tate/Aunt Alexandra snogging picture in my head (or not), but not as much as when Atticus' brother Uncle Jack Finch is goading Miss Maudie:
"We saw Uncle Jack every Christmas, and every Christmas he yelled across the street for Miss Maudie to come marry him. Miss Maudie would yell back, 'Call a little louder, Jack Finch, and they'll hear you at the post office, I haven't heard you yet!' Jem and I thought this a strange way to ask for a lady's hand in marriage, but then Uncle Jack was rather strange. He said he was trying to get Miss Maudie's goat, that he had been trying unsuccessfully for forty years, that he was the last person in the world Miss Maudie would think about marrying but the first person she thought about teasing, and the best defense to her was spirited offense, all of which we understood clearly."
Is Atty right, is there sexual tension running throughout "To Kill A Mockingbird"? Ha, ha, I don't think so, but it is funny to consider.
Is this the part in analyzing a book where we all get a little punch drunk?
He says: Depends on what's in your punch.
ReplyDeleteAll I have to say to this is "Lou and Scout- you KNOW my new year's resolution (so profoundly stately at B/N on New Year's day), so if reading To Kill a Mockingbird and some snogging will help that along, I'm in for the ride.
ReplyDelete