First Impressions Journals

First Impressions Journal 

By: Kylie

Introduction

When I was first given the opportunity to read To Kill A Mockingbird I must admit I was not interested and did not want to take that chance. I thought that this book was just like every book out there trying to bring light to the issue's that now exists in today's world. Many individuals mentioned that this book is different, as it gave new insight and new perspectives many people have never been exposed to. Although it was boring and very uninteresting in the beginning I later on understood how everything fell into place and how the story was flowing.

CHARACTERS

While reading the first twenty pages of the novel, I was exposed to a variety of characters, which includes Scout Finch, Atticus, Jem and Dill. Jean Lousie "Scout" Finch is the protagonist in the play and in the beginning of the book spends most of her time following her brother, Jem and their friend, Dill around. Although she is not given many lines to speak, it is freely expressed that Scout is an intelligent individual that shows her personality in in a very tomboy manner. Atticus plays the role of Scouts father who is a lawyer in the Maycomb town, he is respectful towards others and their personal space. Atticus at times may seem like a teacher more so than a parent, but rather is a parent teaching his kids the different aspects of life. He has beliefs that very much differ from the cultural he lies in and the community he is placed around. Jeremy Atticus "Jem" Finch, who is Scout's brother, is a boy who is naive and would listen to anything anyone has to say, hoping to prove how brave and courageous he is. He takes risks although truly fearing what he's about to commit but continues to do so just to prove his masculinity. Charles Baker "Dill" Harris is Scouts and Jems friend that attempts to make an impression of being a big shot. He wants to be seen as superior through the eyes of those around him and hopes that they will look to him as a "leader". I would describe him to be curious as he has a deeper interest into discovering who the Radleys are and what lies beyond their gates. In other cases, readers like myself would describe him to be nosy.

The first character starting from the left is Atticus

The second character starting from the left is Scout

The third character starting from the left is Dill

The fourth character starting from the left is Jem

SETTING

The setting takes place in a small town called Maycomb, which is located in Alabama, North America. This story line takes place during the 1930's in which was the time where racism was a big controversy. Through my perspective, Maycomb is described to be a farm or town like area. I would consider this area to be as I stated because on page 4 the narrator mentions  “make a living from cotton" (Lee 4) and cotton was only produced in farms back in the 1930's. Atticus's work area takes place in a cramped office located in a courthouse, and in most towns there is a courthouse present. This town to me must have existed for quite some time as the residence of the Radley’s is described to be run down and ghost like.

SUBJECT MATTER

From certain lines spoken by Atticus, a conclusion was drawn that the story revolves around prejudice. As the kids are revealed to more information about the life of the Radley’s, they grow a strong desire to explore further the house and the history of these mysterious individuals. But as they ask permission from their father, Atticus explains to them that they should not be doing such actions just because of stories they hear. "...:when Jem would question him Atticus's only answer was for him to mind his own business and let the Radleys mind theirs, they had a right to:" (Lee 13) This quote represents the subject matter mentioned as Atticus indicates to the kids that personal respect is important. Despite what he knows, he does not say anything because what may be facts to him may in reality be assumptions.  The kids being so young and so unknowledgeable about the topic should be considerate of what might be going on in the Radleys house and should not make assumptions based on what they see and hear. Prejudice has been an on going topic that to me will never end. It is important for children, young adolescents and even those who are of elder age to be informed about this issue as it will follow us on the path of life forever. 

OVERALL TONE 

The overall tone of this piece demonstrates a positive approach towards the subject matter. An example of this positive approach includes Jems pleasant nature towards others when engaging in conversation. On page 8, the line reads ““Hey yourself,” said Jem pleasantly” (Lee 8) which represents that Jems attitude when speaking to Charles is affirmative and confident. " "You're still scared," murmured Dill patiently." (Lee 17) the word "patiently" expresses to the audience that Dill was not in any rush and set the mood for the conversation to be calm and delightful. 

CONCLUSION

The first few pages already offered a abundance amount of new insight and ideas that I was never aware about. I look forward in finishing this book and any more new ideas that I come across, and I hope that this book will open doors to what I need to be aware of in this world. 

First Impressions - Giselle Credo 

         My first impression of the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, was that it started off really slow and tedious, but I understand from the first few chapters it is necessary to learn the history behind these characters. I found it confusing to read at first simply because I did not fully understand what was happening and how the material connected. I know that throughout the book they will all connect and make sense, and that is what is pushing me to continue reading. The information presented in the first few chapters of the book will be the foundation for understanding the text.

         The story takes place in the Maycomb County of Alabama, in the 1930’s during the time of The Great Depression. “Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it… There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with, nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County.” (Lee 5) Scout, the protagonist in the text, describes the setting as being “tired” and also very hot, meaning the people are not very wealthy and live simple lives working hard to make the little money they can, that is why no one is ever really in a rush.

         The book introduced several unique characters such as, Scout, the protagonist (a.k.a Jean Louise Finch), Jem, her older brother (a.k.a Jeremy Atticus Finch), Atticus, their father, and Dill, their neighbour who is only there for the summers (a.k.a Charles Baker Harris). Scout, in the begging of the book is nearly six years old and seems to be very literate and observant for her age. She can already read, write, and because the text is from her perspective as the narrator, we can see how she perceives the events that happen. Jem takes the respectable, responsible, older brother figure for Scout. He will take the time to play, try to explain, and care for Scout. “Jem had his little sister to think of.” (Lee 14) He tries to mask his real fear with bravery in this quote because he did not want to go into the suspicious Radley’s Place. He implied that it is his duty to protect his little sister, and that it wouldn't be respectful to Mr. Radley. Dill is a very curious, persuasive, and naive character. “The more we told Dill about the Radleys, the more he wanted to know, the longer he would stand hugging the light-pole on the corner, the more he would wonder.” (Lee 12) He wondered so much of what Mr. Radley looked like that he dared Jem to trespass his property and teased him for being afraid if he didn’t. His curiosity blinded him from the dangerous fact that Mr. Radley could come after them for disturbing him. Atticus is a widowed lawyer, who is a simple, and not nosy. “Atticus’s only answer was for him to mind his own business and let the Radleys mind theirs, they had a right to.” (Lee 11) He explains to Jem that he shouldn’t waste his time on silly rumors. Each of these characters have distinct personalities and I am curious to know where the story will lead them.

         I feel that it is still too early to depict the overall tone for this book because all the different themes are still being introduced. So far, what I have read only gives background information on the characters and the setting. I will have to read further to find a specific tone for the book.

         Overall, even though the book is not capturing my attention as I hoped, the information that was presented keeps me curious and hungry to understand more. I hope as I continue to read, I will be more interested and engaged. After all, it is known to be a great piece of literature!




First Impressions Journal
By: Michael D'Ambrosi

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is a fictional novel that portrays the journey of Jean Louise Finch, a young girl who becomes aware of the appearance and genuineness of others as she grows up in Maycomb, Alabama, living the small town southern life. The novel does capture my attention after reading the first chapter alone as a result of how Harper Lee integrated the characters, setting, subject manner, and tone in a comprehensive manner.

Many of the characters introduced in the novel thus far were presented in an optimistic manner. Jean Louise Finch, nicknamed Scout, is the protagonist and narrator of this gripping story. Scout may be considered a well-off tomboy as a result of her typical child-like interactions with Jem and Dill, but nonetheless is a character who will have her values and beliefs tested as a result of her new interactions with Arthur Radley, commonly known as Boo, which is something that provokes curiosity within me. Jem Finch is Scout’s elder brother. “Jem wanted Dill to know once and for all that he wasn't scared of anything: ‘It's just that I can't think of a way to make him come out without him gettin' us.’" (Lee 17) demonstrates how Jem is a typical child who feels humiliated when showing weakness and fear towards the Radley place. “Besides, Jem had his little sister to think of.” (Lee 17) signifies the true affectionate brotherly role Jem retains in Scout’s life regardless of his desire for a tough identity. I am fascinated by how Jem’s character is closely similar to how I acted when I was a child.

Dill, Scott’s neighbor, is a child who is overly confident. His egoistic personality traits allow him to dominate the behaviour of Scott and Jem’s by encouraging them to discover the Radley Place as a result of his curiosity and interest, but nonetheless is a reliable summer friend and playmate towards the Finches. This contradiction within his personality raises many questions about him as a person that I am very interested in discovering. Arthur Radley, the man who never leaves his home, is an ideal character that I’ve been longing to discover in a classic piece of literature. He is not only the major source of Scott’s, Jem’s, and Dill’s imagination, but also the horrific assumptions the children have towards him make him a character that I want to pay close attention to. Little information is revealed about Atticus, Scott’s father, a lawyer from Maycomb, which disappoints me as he is the individual who constructed the morals that Jem and Scott are guided by which is something that I found thought-provoking. Based on these recent interactions between the characters, I am interested in discovering how these characters interact with one another as the issues in the novel begin to evolve.

The story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama, during the early 1930s while the Great Depression was occurring, and I am quite satisfied in the way Lee has introduced the setting. “There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with, nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County.” (Lee 6) depicts the classic southern life and poorness the citizens are living through. Life appears to be very melancholy as “in the rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square” (Lee 6). This demonstrates a stereotypical southern town were isolation and poor economic standings are amongst its citizens. Although the setting is indeed fictional, I like how it is taking place during the Great Depression as that is an event that has always sparked curiosity within me.

The author appears to express the content located in the first twenty pages in a direct and straightforward manner. The author provides readers information directly regarding the characters, setting, and subject matter, but does not provide opportunities for readers to inference facts regarding these topics. I do not like the tone that was integrated in the first chapter as Lee does little to provoke further discussion regarding these topics. However, by being direct and straightforward, the author has provided the readers with the basis of information needed to further understand what is to follow. The author has yet to reveal the overall tone integrated throughout the majority of the novel which somewhat disappoints me.  

It’s difficult to distinguish the overall subject matter so early in the novel, but I believe it provides the basis of the subject matter of prejudice. “He dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained” (Lee 16) demonstrates the accusations Jem mentioned to Scout regarding Boo which are not based on reason or factual information. This subject may be evident throughout the novel as Scout may recognize how her assumptions regarding Boo may not be truthful, and will also experience the subject matters of human dignity, kindness and cruelty, and discrimination. I would have liked for the subject matter to be more explicit, but nonetheless I still enjoyed the subject matter presented.

I am engaged to further continue my studies with this novel. The novel offers various characters with personalities in which I have not yet experienced in a classic piece of literature, and offers a setting and various subject matters that I am not well-informed about. Suspense has been created for me as I am curious to discover if Scout’s horrendous assumptions towards Boo are indeed accurate. I am excited to read about how the subject matter of prejudice is presented to readers further in the novel.

First Impression Journal 
By Tiffany Kuo

     My first impression of To Kill a MockingBird written by Harper Lee is that it makes you want to keep reading. When reading the book the first chapter I kept wanting too know more about he Radley's, what happened to them and why nobody ever sees them during the day. 

When reading the first chapter of the I got introduced to many characters that were interesting in their own way. Jean Louise Finch (Scout), the protagonist and she is the one who is narrating the story. In the beginning of the book Scout in mainly with his bother Jem and Dill around, Scout is more of the tomboy and likes to be more like a kid around his brother Jem. Jem like any other boy wants to show people thats he is brave and not scared of anything like when Dill dared Jim to touch the outside of the Radley's residents. Dill their friend from Meridian seems like a person who like to be very daring and likes to test the limits like when he keeps on telling Jem "You gonna run out on a dare" (Lee 15)  when he keeps saying that it shows that he wants to she how far a person can go before saying no. 

The story is taking place in the 1930s the time when the great depression was happing in Maycomb, Alabama. When the author rights "There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy, and no money to buy it with, nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb country. But it was a time of vague optimism for some of the people: Maycomb country had recently been told that it had nothing to feat but fear itself." (Lee 6) this tells me that people had nothing to gain but had everything to lose. When reading the text it seemed like people in the community were very close together and knew every one in the community. 

To distinguish a tone so early in the book I would have to say it is quite hard not only because I  am still trying to figure out whats happening in the book, but I am also trying to figure out the characters and how this first chapter is going to connect with the book later on.

I would have to say that my overall thoughts on To Kill a Mockingbird would have to be that I am very intrigued and want to know more about Jem and Scout. I curious to know whats going to happen to these to sibling and what the future has to hold for them.