Dialectical Journal Chapters 12-18

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Dialectical Journal Chapters 12-18 Vocabulary 1. Contemptuously- Showing or expressing disdain or scorn. 2. Prerogative- An exclusive right or privilege. 3. Venerable- Impressive because of age or antique/old. 4. Acquiescence- Silent agreement without objection. 5. Elucidate- To provide clarification. Vocabulary 1. My mother shook her head contemptuously as my grandmother lectured her on the way to cook salmon. 2. As soon as I turned 10 I made sure to show off my new prerogatives to my brother. 3. The old journals could be found in a venerable chest upstairs. 4. When Grandpa became stern with us, he was always met by acquiescence. 5. I had to stay after school for an hour in order for Mrs. Logue to elucidate on genetics. Interpreting/Making a Prediction “If her right eye was blackened and she was beaten mostly on the right side of her face, it would tend to show that a left-handed person did it.” (Lee 238) “[Tom Robison’s] left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side.” (Lee 248) Interpreting/Making a Prediction So far in the novel we have seen Atticus prove multiple cases to show that Tom Robinson is not guilty. One of his biggest leads came when he proved Mayella Ewell was beaten on the right side of her face, Mr. Ewell was left-handed, and that Tom Robinson barely had a left hand. Most people were confused why Atticus asked these crazy questions, but all along he had an intricate plan in order to prove his side. I predict that in the end, Atticus will be able to prove Mr. Ewell guilty. The Ewells were very hard to work with in court because they are seemingly very uncivilized people. They are not used to Atticus’ way of speaking and addressing others, so they feel offended and misund... ... middle of paper ... ...reinforcing the idea that the roles are now switched. Atticus keeps calm during most of the situations, but lets others boss him around and take control while he mainly sits and waits nearby. Scout and Jem begin to stand up for their father when he will not stand up for himself and act caring as if they were in charge of Atticus’ actions, protecting him from the evils of others. Scout supports this idea when she begins to talk very adult-like with Mr. Cunningham, especially showing her thoughtful wisdom when speaking of “entailments”. Atticus later shows that he is proud of his children for sticking up for him when he did not himself by massaging Jem’s hair in his “one gesture of affection.” So while Atticus often is being the best father figure he can to Scout and Jem, they are also very helpful to him by taking control of situations that he would not be able to.

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