Thursday, October 7, 2010
Who's the boss?
Reflection: Scout Finch has to abide by the rules set down for her by Calpurnia. And Atticus. Then, Aunt Alexandra comes along. And guess what? She has to suddenly start listening to "Mister Jem," now, too as he is becoming a man. This is a considerable problem, as these parties might not be in agreement on most issues. If you were Scout how would you resolve this problem? Did you ever have trouble following the orders of a adult when you were her age (8-9-ish)? Blog due on Wednesday, October 13, 5 p.m.
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Derek Mollohan
ReplyDeleteA way to resolve these problems that Scout faces is just to try and keep your distance. From what I’ve read I can tell that fighting her problem with Jem wound up with her being punched in the stomach, and her problem with Aunt Alexandra wound up with Atticus having to tell her to act more like a Finch. When I was younger I most of the time had no problem following directions because most of the time I didn’t object to the logic of the request but now as I get older I notice that I argue a lot more because now I’m smarter so I can see that there is no reason behind doing certain things. For example one day I got home from camp and my mom made me wash my sheets even though I hadn’t slept on them in a week. I didn’t see reason in doing that so I refused to do it which got me yelled at. So I defiantly argued less when I was 9.
Scout is definitely in a dilemma. If I were scout I would ask all the people who were telling me what to do, who I should listen to. If that doesn't work then I would just listen to who has been telling me what to do the longest. When I was scout age I hated being told what to do. I would usually do what I was told but I didn't like it. Also when I was that age i would always listen to the person who gave me the answer I was looking for.
ReplyDeleteI can see where Scout is coming from, she disagrees with almost everyone, and hates being told what to do. I can see why she got into the fight with Jem aswell, I feel he thinks he knows everything, and I know first hand that someone who thinks they know everything that really dosent', is extreamly annoying. When I was younger following directions given by my parents wasn't so tough as following directions from anyone else. I mostly listened to my parents, but that was it.
ReplyDeleteIf I were Scout's age and I had this problem, my solution wouldn't be that great. I would have to act like I agree with everybody and pretend like I'm doing exactly what they want me to do. However, I would do what I think is right when away from them, not what they think is right. At Scout's age I was very argumentative. I hated when people would tell me to do things that I felt made no sense. However, I would always follow orders.
ReplyDeleteIf I were Scout in this situation, I would sit down with either Calpurnia, or Atticus and discuss what I am angry and annoyed about. By doing this it not only shows that you are mature, but it also makes Atticus and Calpurnia maybe believe that they could bend some of the rules a little, if you feel that strongly about listening to them. When I was Scout's age, I too had to deal with listening problems with many adults. It was mostly just my parents and my teachers that I had to deal with. It was annoying to listen to teachers yell at me and boss me around, because I always thought that if you arent my parents you shouldn't be telling me what to do. But, now I realize that my parents and teachers were actually helping me out and looking out for me by keeping me safe.
ReplyDeleteIf I found myself in a situation like Scout's, I probably wouldnt do anything. I don't enjoy taking orders from other people, but I would have to understand that i have no choice in the matter. I would realize that eventually the time will come when I will not have to abide by the rules set by Atticus, Cal, and Jem, so I would attempt to be patient and obedient. I would have the hardest time doing what Jem wishes, as he is only my sibling. Peronsally, I don't recall ever being in a similar situation to Scout because my parents are usually pretty realistic in their demands.
ReplyDeleteI've had many conflicts when it comes to taking different orders from different people in my family, but I don't think I can exactly put myself in Scout's shoes for this situation because I didn't grow up at the same time she did. I have always been different with my outlooks on life, so I'm guessing that can relate to it somehow. I usually do follow at least one of the orders, and it's usually the one that I myself believe is the best to follow. By this, I don't mean best as in "easiest" but as in "the most moral." What I'm basically trying to say is: I would look at the orders more positively, but still look at how they would affect me in the future.
ReplyDeleteNormally, if I were Scout, I would follow Atticus's orders. He always seems to be fair and correct. However, now that Atticus is telling Scout to follow Jem's and Aunt Alexandra's orders as well as his own, she is in a dilemma. I think she should do what she herself believes to be right, while still taking care not to upset others. When I was her age, I didn't follow orders from my parents or my sister very well. If it was an order to mind my manners, I would probably follow it. But if it was an order regarding my personal life (for example, how I dealt with my peers), I probably wouldn't have payed any attention. Instead, I would do what I thought was best and most effective-after all, I knew my friends and peers better than my parents did. I don't think eight or nine years of age is too young to start making small, independent decisions.
ReplyDeleteScout is finding herself in a very difficult situation. While she does not want to go by the demands of all four of these people, she has no choice. I do not blame her for not wanting to listen to Aunt Alexandra, I would feel the same way if this person came to live with us trying to change who I am. Also, I don't think Jem should really be telling her what to do. Sure, he is her older brother, but I think he should be protecting her outside the house from dangers, rather than simply bossing her around just because he can. I think he sees himself as a little older than he really is. I definitely found myself in Scout's position. Being the youngest, I took orders from ANYONE. I especially disliked taking orders from my sisters, as like daphne, I felt that if you're not my parents, don't tell me what to do.
ReplyDeleteBrodie Enright
ReplyDeleteThe sheer quantity of authority figures within the life of Scout Finch is becoming a daunting prospect for Scout Finch for numerous reasons. Scout Finch possesses a tendency to behave in an insubordinate and spiteful manner during periods of time in which she confers with authority figures Scout Finch is associated to. Scout’s tendency to rebel against the responsibilities bestowed upon her by her superiors is invariably detrimental to Scout within innumerable situations. Scout could resolve her current situation regarding her authority figures by merely altering Scout Finch’s demeanor. If Scout fabricated a genteel and submissive demeanor while in the presence of her superiors, Scout’s superiors’ esteem in Scout would increase in quality. The authority figures within Scout’s life would probably feel less compelled to chastise Scout for breaches in moral conduct. During the period of time in which I was approximately Scout’s age, I was reprimanded by authority figures exceedingly sporadically. My moral conduct was superlative during the entirety of this period of my life as a result of my submissive demeanor, in addition to my blind faith in the judgments and rationalizations of my superiors. As a child, I was compelled by some unidentifiable force to remain subordinate constantly and to behave in a manner which would not perturb my contemporaries or authority figures. In addition, I was extremely frightened of all authority figures, especially my mother for she possessed a tendency to disregard logical reasoning while she was affected by rage. As a young adult, however, I am mentally capable of detecting flaws within the judgments and rationalizations of my superiors. I refrain from exploiting the failures of my contemporaries and superiors because I believe it would be beneficial for me not to question the authority of those who possess influence upon my fate.
Since Scout is in an uncomfortable situation, she should try finding a balance between what everyone is telling her to do. Most of the adults are trying to make Scout become more lady-like and if she obeys what all adults are saying in common, she should be fine. It is difficult trying to compromise your actions to fit what four different adults are saying, but if what all of them are saying sends the same message, you should be able to obey. Usually, bad things won't come to you if you're trying to please everyone. And if someone gives you a problem about it, you can explain the situation to them. If worse comes to worse, you could listen to the person who you think is making the most sense. When I was Scout's age I don't remember doing anything to not follow an adult's orders. And if I did, I didn't get caught...
ReplyDeleteKaylee Pavao
ReplyDeleteI agree a lot with what Elise said, Scout should make the best of her situation and do her best to obey the rules. Ever since she was younger, almost all adults, except for Atticus, had tried to make Scout more lady-like, and girly. I am surprised she did not listen to them, considering she was reminded daily by Mrs. Dubose and Calpurnia. If she had obeyed the rules when youger, this change wouldn't be so difficult. Like the saying, it IS hard to teach a old dog new tricks. Trying to please four adults is easier said than done especially if they are telling you four different things. So Scout must feel very lost in this situation. If she cannot decide who to listen to, she could sit them all down and talk to them about her situation. When I was 8/9 I don't remember doing something terribly wrong. I think the worst thing I did was giving my mom a hard time about bed-time, I used to talk-back a lot when it got to that time of night.
Right now Scout is in a very diffuicult situation where she is still a kid, yet Jem has matured and no longer wants to play any childish games with her. She's not sure how she needs to act yet in order to fit in with her family. If I were Scout, I would most likely resolve this problem by trying to grow up a little and act as Jem has been doing. She knows that he isn't going to goof off with her or play pretend anymore so the only thing that I think she could do would be to act like Jem. By copying his newly found maturity, she would stay out of alot of trouble with Aunt Alexandra and also be able to get closer to Jem. Her doing this may also impress Atticus and he would be proud of her for taking on a better attitude. I myself had alot of trouble following directions at that age. When i was eight, i had three two year-olds and a five year-old to compete with for attension. I hated picking up after all of thier messes, and I also hated "being the bigger person" when my brother would pick a fight with me. So when my mom ever told me to do something, I'd usually just try to avoid doing it for as long as possible because she would get tired of waiting and just do it herself.
ReplyDeleteOlivia Caccia
ReplyDeleteIf I was in the same situation with Scout, I would act more mature and do what I was told instead of being in the way and causing more trouble. Even if I didn't want to listen to Jem, I would do what's best for the situation at hand instead of doing what I want. At that age, I didn't have that much of an issue following directions because I would normally did what my parents said but once and a while I would speak out. I've always tried to be helpful to my parents and make less work for them instead of more.
If I were in Scout's position, I would probably be very aggravated that I would have to obey the rules of Atticus, Calpurnia, Aunt Alexandra, and now Jem who is my brother and also so close in age with me. I wouldn't be able to do anything about it, though, because complaining and whining would just make the situation worse. I would accept that I have to obey these elders and do my best to go about it maturely. When I was around Scout's age, I definitely had some problems following the orders of adults such as my parents, as did many of us I am sure, because that is the age where we are stubborn and start to question the authority of others, even though we knew we would still eventually have to do as we were told. I followed through with most of the orders I was given, but I made big productions sometimes, complaining and such.
ReplyDeleteIf i were Scout i would probably get very mad and frustrated now that all of these people were telling me what to do. I would probably tell Atticus that i was feeling this way and i don't think Scout should have to litsen to anyone but her father. When i was Scout's age i really didn't want rules, I just wanted to do as I please, but i would eventually just litsen to my parents, but i don't think that since Jem and Scout are so close in age she should have to litsen to everything he said. It would get very aggrivating.
ReplyDeleteScouts situation is very challenging. There are so many people telling her what to do. If I was in Scouts situation I would probably get very frustrated and I would probably only listen to Calpurnia, Atticus, and Aunt Alexandra. Being in Scouts tough situation, I would have not listened to Jem. Though Jem may be growing into an “adult” I don’t feel Jem has the authority to tell Scout what is right and what is wrong. Around the age of 8 or 9 I was very obedient. I almost always did what my parents wanted me to do. Currently, I don’t listen to my parents very much because I don’t want to. But, under certain circumstances, I will listen to the directions given to me from my parents.
ReplyDelete