journal #6

Chapters 16-17


The question that I am responding to is: How do you think the story would have changed if Scout and Jem had a mother present in their lives?

If Scout and jems mother was still alive things would be very different and also very much the same. The reason that I say this is that it would change the whole plot of the story even if it is a very small change. But it's like when people say that if you go back in time and step on a bug monkeys could rule the world. But For some characters her presence probably wouldn't effect their lives in the book. People like the Radley's, the Cunningham's, the Ewell's, and other characters not ascosiated personally with the Finches.

The character that would be changed the most would be Atticus, who very much misses her. It actually never says it in the book, and he kind of hides it but I can just tell he longs for her. I think that he would be more active because someone else would help take care of the kids, and he would be more happy in general. The other two characters that would be changed the most are Jem and Scout. Jem misses his mother and would be a happier person in general. The problem though is that they don't really know her, and really never did, so they have learned to live without her. But scout would be different because she would be more lady-like, and propper, like her mother. One more character that I will bring up is Calpurnia, who probably wuldn't be in the story if Jem and scouts mother was still alive. Because she would do all the jobs that Cal used to do.

As you can see the story would definately be altered but the plot would actual, for the most part stay the same. I definately feel sorry for the Finches and all, but without Cal, and when scout is more lady-like the story isn't as dense and exciting as how it is now. So I'm not saying that I'm glad the mother is dead, I am saying that it is a better story without the mother in it. Anyway, in conclusion not just Jem and Scout would be altered but everyone in or ascosiated with the finches would be too.

- Matt H