Monday, June 6, 2011

Jem Journal Entry: To Kill a Mockingbird

June 1, 1933

Yesterday was Tom Robinson's trail. We went to see it with Scout and Dill… it was pretty rough for them. I should have let them stay. Everyone around is different now, I always thought the Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, but up to yesterday they completely changed except for Cal, Ms. Maudie, and some other folks.

Maycomb has always been my home and I don’t understand why they would do such a thing. After what Mr. Ewell did to my father and what folks have been saying that his going to kill him. I've been scared and so had Scout. I talked to Scout last night, about what kind of folks Maycomb has. There are us, the Cunningham, Ewells and the Negros. Everyone looks down at one, we look down at the Cunningham the Cunningham looks down as the Ewells and the Ewells look down at the Negros. I used to think there was only one kind of folk. Folks. I was wrong. Like Atticus said that all men are created equal... right now the only equal who are treated equal are the white folks.

I wish everyone would not look down at each other. I wish everyone would be fair to one another. That trail was not a fail one and I know that maybe Atticus might not leave to see the change, but when I grow up I'm going to do what Atticus did. He is now every respected by the blacks and some whites. I know I'm going to do the same and more.

Maycomb Daily

Depression in Maycomb

The economic crisis across the country has hit our town hard. Many people in Maycomb have been affected, especially the farmers and the country people. It’s creating bankruptcy, homelessness, collapsing businesses, and leaving many people hungry. Because of this, social classes are more defined and there is a lot of tension between them.

“Living through the great depression has been hard for many families around the community. Bringing bread to the table has been difficult for us, and affects our children and wives,” says Mr. Taylor.

Many people around town have been getting jobs with the WPA (Works Progress Administration). This was recently created to give unemployed people jobs, but it is hard to maintain your spot.

“It’s important for us to maintain our dignity and respect despite the hard time that have fallen upon all of us,” says Mr. Atticus Finch.



Even our children get involved in these hard times.


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Halloween Festivals


Each year, on Halloween night, the town of Maycomb organizes festival where they have plays and pageants. This year the pageant was held in the high-school auditorium. Everyone got to enjoy apple-bobbing and taffy-pulling; pin the tail on the donkey was available for children to enjoy for only one cent. These types of events bring our whole community together, with fun for the children and the adults.
This event was organized so that in order to avoid the unsupervised mischief that typically occurs on Halloween night.

The pageant’s theme this year was agricultural products, such as ham, butterbean, peanut and many others. The pageant was directed by Mrs. Grace Merriweather, who called it Maycomb County: Ad Astra Per Aspera. Many kids from around the neighborhood participated in the pageant, dressing up as various historic icons and agricultural products.

We are proud of the many volunteers who decorated and organized school auditorium. They made this event possible and enjoyable for the Maycomb’s society.
“Hopefully each year the Halloween festivals can be even better than the last. I really enjoyed this year’s festival,” says Mrs. Grace Merriweather.


Children enjoying the festival games, apple-bobbing.
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A Sad Accident: An Editorial

Maycomb, Alabama— A sad accident- or was it? On October 31, 1933, Bob Ewells accidently took his own life in a drunken accident. It was right after the Halloween festival. Mr. Atticus Finch’s children were walking home when they were attacked by Mr. Ewell. It was evident that Mr. Ewell was drunk, and having a grudge against the Finch family caused him to act out in violence. It is unfortunate that Mr. Ewell chose to attack Jean Louise and Jeremy Atticus Finch when it was their father who he had a problem with, as evidenced by the many threats made by Mr. Ewell.

This editor thinks that this problem could have been resolved between the two adults. It is unfortunate that the confrontation ended in accidental self-stabbing, although it is the opinion some people that the death may have not been accidental. It doesn’t take a psychic to see there is an unknown factor in this story. Perhaps the Finch children had a guardian angel watching over them that night.

“'It would be sort of like shooting a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?”
Yes, Jean Louise, that’s exactly what it would be like.
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The Trial: Letter to the Editor

Maycomb Daily,
As a concerned citizen of Maycomb, I was appalled at the outcome of the most recent trial between Ms. Mayella Ewells and Mr. Tom Robinson. Not only was Mr. Atticus Finch’s defense solid and indisputable, but the evidence was clear to many that were present. Mr. Tom Robinson was not guilty. It saddens me to see this town so full of racism and hatred that it would condemn an innocent human being.

The testimonies of various witnesses were shaky and unclear, and the jury was wrong to come to this verdict. This will surely create much controversy in a town that needs to stick together to work against this financial crisis. I realized that we have long way to go we are all equal as even my own friends do not see the problem with bigotry. They are even immune to the suffering of the African children, as shown by their hypocritical actions.
Something needs to be done about this.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Maudie.

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Obituary


DUBOSE, HENRY LAFAYETTE, age 75, of Maycomb passed away March 7, 1933 in her home. Mrs. Dubose was born in the town of Maycomb in 1857 lived here her entire life. Many people from Maycomb will remember here as one of the bravest people that have lived in this town. She died beholden to nothing and nobody. Her wake for family and friends will be held on March 12 at Maycomb Church.