Re-read chapter 13 (from 'Before Bedtime...' to 'It takes a woman to do that kind of work'). How does Lee use language to describe Atticus, Jem and Scout and do our attitudes towards them change in this extract?
During this extract Atticus talks to Jem and Scout about their behaviour because Aunt Alexandra told him to. The children are very disappointed and upset because of Atticus' unexpected change in personality. This is an important moment in the book because it clearly shows that if Atticus changes it affects the children and the way they see him. Harper Lee uses a variety of language techniques such as vivid descriptions which entertains us throughout this extract.
While we are used to seeing him as an outspoken, calm and measured man, in this extract Atticus behaves unusually while he is talking to the kids:
"Our father was actually fidgeting."
This quote suggests how Atticus is very nervous and he doesn't know what to say or how to say it. We can clearly see that he is going through a difficult stage of his mature life, which is making him hesitate and let Aunt Alexandra manipulate him. This makes the reader feel angry and disappointed with Atticus because this is weakened man is not the old, strong-willed father he used to be.
The pivotal moment during this extract is when Atticus is trying to explain to his children how Aunt Alexandra wants them to behave:
"Your aunt has asked me to try and impress up you and Jean Louise that you are not from run-of-the-mill people that are the product of several generations' gentle breeding."
This quote shows us that Atticus feels under pressure from his sister, and we can see this by the way he explains what she wants him to tell them. Harper Lee makes the reader notice that Atticus doesn't really mean what he is saying because he uses phrases like 'gentle breeding' and 'run-of-the-mill people' which are things Aunt Alexandra would say, not him. Before this Atticus had always tried to make the children believe that everyone is equal but now he is contradicting himself. We also see Atticus calling Scout 'Jean Louise' to demonstrate to the reader the seriousness of the concepts that he is trying to explain, and this reinforces the sense of awkwardness during these moments.
Towards the end of the extract, Atticus makes a little joke to lighten the mood of the situation and to show his children that he hasn’t changed:
“Get more like cousin Joshua everyday, don’t I? Do you think I’ll end up costing the family five hundred dollars?”
This quote shows the reader that even though Atticus feels the pressure of his sister, he’s still being the same father to them as he was before. With this, we can notice that although Scout realises what Atticus was trying to do, it helps to relieve the tension that the reader felt when Atticus’ attitude changed because we can see that he still has control over the family.
The way that Jem responds differs from his earlier actions in the novel. He tries to act maturely as a reaction to Atticus’ display of weakness as it is clear his father has been manipulated by Aunt Alexandra:
“I know all that stuff.”
This demonstrates that Jem pretends to have a level of maturity to challenge Atticus’ words. It is the first time Jem talks back to his father and shows us that he feels ready to be taken seriously as an adult. However, he isn’t. Like most kids at that age, he would give everything to be an independent grown up. The process of growing, however, needs much more time. Lee portrays how Jem is reacting to puberty but he is still a child as he tries to hide his weakness and his own uncertainties behind vague words like 'stuff' in a facade of adulthood.
This is also portrayed by Jem's lack of patience with Atticus. He hurries him as if he knows what he will say:
"Just say it."
This quote demonstrates how Jem is growing up and becoming a teenager; his attitude is changing and he is quite unstable. At this point, Jem is very cocky because he doesn't want to show his concern and wants to act maturely about the situation as if he was able to solve it himself.
Indeed, Jem is still confused by Atticus’ behaviour even when he is pretending and trying hard to fit into and understand the adult world.
“Stunned, Jem and I looked at each other, and then at Atticus... We did not speak to him.”
By this quote the reader realises Jem’s confusion; at the start of the extract we saw how Jem challenged his father with no inhibitions. Now we realize once again how he is just a kid and that he doesn’t completely understand adult life nor is he ready to face it yet. Through this description the author portrays how Jem is unsure whether to show his feelings or live up to the stereotype of the sullen, emotionless adult male he is unconsciously obliged to follow.
As the narrator, Scout recognises the differences in Jem's behaviour. She discovers that even though Jem is trying to mature he feels the same way as she does:
“I saw Jem standing in a similar pool of isolation, his head cocked to one side.”
Once again Jem is portrayed as a typical teenager who doesn’t quite know how to react in difficult and unusual situations. On top of everything he’s struggling more because his role model, Atticus, has disappointed him with his sudden changes to please Aunt Alexandra’s wishes, leaving him in 'isolation'. Throughout the novel Lee pays special attention to the topic of growing up. This extract serves as an excellent opportunity to measure Jem’s attempts to mature and Scout inability to decode much of the behaviour which she realises is significant.
In this way, the young Scout's reaction is therefore more predictable and true to her earlier actions. She cannot believe Atticus means what he is saying:
“This was not my father.”
This quote shows that Scout can’t believe it’s actually her father talking. Although he is the one pronouncing the words, the quote suggests she believes her dad is being manipulated by Alexandra. This is very difficult for Scout since Atticus had never behaved so strangely. Lee uses a single, short sentence to exaggerate Scout’s shocked feelings. This helps the reader to understand better what is going on and sympathize with her.
Throughout the extract Scout is portrayed as an emotional child, and Lee uses sounds and movements to show her reactions:
“The comb was midway in its journey, and I banged it down”
Since we know Scout is a little girl, this quote shows her childish reaction to her father's unexpected behaviour. She struggles to deal with this change and, typically, of small children, contemplates how the situation would affect her life. Through this action, Scout's childish mind explodes with sadness and fear of losing her beloved father who she trusts. The reader senses the tension of every character in this awkward atmosphere.
Contrastingly, Scout the narrator demonstrates that she has understood the situation long after it happened:
“I know now what he was trying to do, but Atticus was only a man. It takes a woman to do that kind of work.”
This clearly shows that the book includes and reflects the childhood memories of the grown up Scout. The narrator Scout realizes what was really happening and has her opinion about it; it contrasts to the child Scout who is unable to appreciate any differences between women and men and who hates Aunt Alexandra's social rituals. The reader feels eager to keep on reading in order to find out why Scout thinks Atticus can’t give orders the same way a mother would. Perhaps Scout realises that Atticus is just a man and not the infallible hero she once thought he was.
Throughout this extract the reader discovers a series of new attitudes and feelings for the characters. We see how Jem, in the transition between being a boy and a man, is confused and let down not just by Atticus' new behaviour but also by himself as he is not able to really understand the situation with adult eyes or ignore it as a child would do neither. Scout is blinded by her own innocence and therefore also struggles to realize why Atticus is letting Aunt Alexandra manipulate him. She feels lost and disappointed when she discovers this, as the image of respect and power she had about his father suddenly vanishes behind this new Atticus. The reader can appreciate this scene through the grown up Scout’s eyes, with the help of her descriptions we clearly see how this was an uncomfortable and tense situation for all of them. This is an important event in the novel, as it shows tensions in previously secure relationships and therefore builds our anticpation- and anxiety- for what will happen during the upcoming trial when Scout's relationship and trust in her father will be further tested.
Tips for getting the 'A':
1. Analyse in detail using PQE picking out precise uses of language;
2. Always relate your ideas back to the question and make interesting, original comments;
3. Use connectives and other introductory sentences to link the paragraphs together and build to a final conclusion;
4. Ensure the conclusion summarises your ideas and gives your final argument, but also says something new by commenting on the author's attitudes or how and why the extract is significant in relation to the rest of the novel;
5. Use a range of sophisticated language, punctuation and different sentence structures.
Things to discuss about the novel:
1. Try to recognise the difference between the young Scout and the older narrator;
2. Analyse how language is used to reveal the characters' thoughts and feelings but also discuss the significance of Lee's descriptions- they often set the scene;
3. Discuss important themes such as growing up, racism, prejudice, mercy, the legal system, poverty, understanding and the community;
4. Give your interpretations of the author's own attitudes and intentions;
5. Relate your ideas to the conclusion of the novel, and the continuation of Scout's trust in her father.
