Explaining Atticus Advice Chapter 9

A How does he explain and

what does Atticus mean
when he explains
a) the use of the word nigger (85).





What our group has decided on, is that he is defending a person, and that using a
racial slur isnt appropriate, this is what Atticus is trying to say. He says the use of this
word is common its demeaning and socially low. It also shows a lack of
intelligence because there are always better words.
B What does Atticus mean
when he explains
b) his personal reasons for defending Tom Robinson
(86).




According to the text, the main reason Atticus is taking the case is to protect his pride.
His pride was the reason he became a lawyer, and it gained him enough support to
represent Maycomb in the legislature. If he quit any case just because the odds were
against him, hed lose that pride, and continuing with his job as an authority figure
wouldnt make any sense to him. He stands for what is good and if he didnt take the
case hed be a hypocrite.
C What does Atticus mean
when he explains
c) Simply because we were licked a hundred years
before we started is no reason for us not to try to
win (87).




This means that Atticus feels that the black people were slaves a hundred years ago,
and they shouldnt give up the fight for equal treatment the same as the white people
and he feels that they can win the fight.
Think of this situation as earning part marks on a test you know youre going to fail.
D What does Atticus mean
when he explains
d) Dont pay any attention to her, Jack. Shes trying
you out. Cal says shes been cussing fluently for a
week now (90).




Atticus says Scout is trying to get attention by way of swearing. She may be feeling
insecure in the process of growing up and may seek some more boundaries.
E What does Atticus mean
when he explains
e) When a child asks you something, answer him, for
goodness sakes. But dont make a production of it.
Children are children, but they can spot an evasion
quicker than adults (99).




Atticus means that if you make a point to avoid telling a child the answer to his/her
question, he/she will be able to tell that the adult is avoiding the answer, and will
become even more confused and curious than when he/she started out.
F What does Atticus mean
when he explains
f) Why reasonable people go stark raving mad
when anything involving a Negro comes up, is
something I dont pretend to understand (100-1).




He doesnt believe in the racism that the rest of the community partakes in and he
doesnt want to raise his children to be racist.