Journal+8-TKAM+Lit+Crit

Left vs. Right-Good and Evil Laurie Champion

The author of this article is looking a little too deep into the book. Harper Lee didn't write the book to show that "right" was more morally correct than "left." Also, one apsect of the article that was confusing is that the author didn't specify the importance of "right" and "left." She had plenty of evidence to support that in the book "right" was considered as morally correct, and "left" was viewed as a threat to society, but it was very confusing what that meant. Was the author trying to imply "right" and "left" as directions? Was the author trying to imply "right" and "left" as political parties? Overall, this connection made by Laurie Champion about Lee's use of "right" and "left" is very interesting, but only coincidental. Harper Lee had no intention of hiding a message in the story, and Champion didn't even specify what the "hidden message" was supposed to be.

AT The Redemtion of Atticus Finch Marcus Jimson, Wayne Flint, Jewell Knotts, and Joe Crespino

It is absurd for Joe Crespino to think that that Atticus should not be considered a hero. In the book, Atticus shows far more than just doing his duty as a defense attorney. He works incredibly hard to defend Tom Robinson, defends Tom from a lynch mob, and did not retaliate against Bob Ewell, no matter how nasty Mr. Ewell was to him. He represents a brave man who wasn't afraid to openly express his feelings about racism, and promoted the values of freedom and equality, no matter how much public resentment he came under. No matter how poorly he and his children were treated, he stuck with the case, and he made a huge difference. After the trial, the town respected him much more, and much of the town came to his side. He is a truly inspirational character, and a hero in American literature.