To+Kill+a+Mockingbird.+To+Kill+the+Innocent.

This is what my house looked like when my family and I first bought it. It reminds me of the Radley house because of the overgrown shrubs and because it was run-down. People in Maycomb were scared of the Radley house because of its appearance and the rumors. My mom believed that our house had potential, and completely fixed the yard, inside, and the outside. It needed a lot of work, but in the end we made it our home.

When I was younger, I was a major tomboy. I used to be like Scout in //To Kill a Mockingbird//. I played with my neighbors who were boys, just like Scout played with Jem and Dill. I wore pants and t-shirts, and never wore any dresses or did my hair. I was even mistaken for a boy in fourth grade. My favorite thing to do in the summer was to climb trees and be outside. I'd always end up covered in dirt and bruises.

Mayella Ewell was the only girl in the Ewell family. The family was looked down upon for they always caused trouble. Their father didn't work and was the town drunk. Mayella seemed hard and tough on the outside, she wasn't dainty or feminine. However, it's obvious she is frightened and lost on the inside. She didn't grow up with any friends, and she grew up in a life of poverty. The one thing she had was a small flower garden. I think moonflowers are a good symbol for her. Although their stems are tough, the petals are fragile. http://sandradodd.com/moonflowers

__**Ben Folds- Still Fighting it**__ I think this song describes Jem and Scout really well, as well as many events in TKAM.


 * Everybody knows**
 * It hurts to grow up-** // Jem and Scout have to face things that other kids don't have to think about like the death of Bob Ewell and Tom Robinson //
 * And everybody does**
 * It's so weird to be back here-** //TKAM is written from the perspective of Scout after she grew up//
 * Let me tell you what**
 * The years go on and**
 * We're still fighting it, we're still fighting it-** //Racism. Judgment, and unfair acts aren't things that go away, everyone has to deal with them throughout life//
 * And you're so much like me-** //Jem and Scout are a lot like Atticus//
 * I'm sorry-** //Atticus brough his family a lot of strife because of the Tom Robinson case, and his life hasn;t been easy. He knows that Scout and Jem will have a hard time, but they'll grow stronger because of it//


 * Good morning, son-** //Atticus stayed by Jem's side all night while he was unconscious//
 * In twenty years from now**
 * Maybe we'll both sit down and have a few beers**
 * And I can tell you 'bout today-** //Perhaps in a few years Atticus can talk to Jem about their life in Maycomb, and Jem can understand from an adult perspective//
 * And how I picked you up and everything changed**
 * It was pain -**//Although it was painful, Atticus, Jem and Scout always had each other.//
 * Sunny days and rain**
 * I knew you'd feel the same things**


 * Good morning, son**
 * I am a bird-** //A Mockingbird//: pure innocence and the symbol of good character, Atticus always tried to do the right thing

It is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Mockingbirds let us listen to their lovely songs. A mockingbird commits no crime, it is a symbol of innocence. All they do is help, not harm. I think the reason the book is called To Kill a Mockingbird is because of the way Bob Ewell died. Bob Ewell was killed by Boo Radley. However, Boo Radley was only protecting Jem and Scout from dying. Boo Radley lived in a life of solitude. By letting the public know of what he did, would only harm him. He wouldn't want to be congratulated or to be the center of attention. He would have to pay for doing the right thing.

As Atticus mentioned earlier in the book, we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Sometimes we judge without fully understanding the scenario or the person. When I was new to my school in second grade, everyone was extremely friendly. However, this one girl never introduced herself and kept to the back of the room. I immediately thought she was unfriendly, and decided I didn't want to be friends. She ended up being my best friend for two years. I found out that the reason she didn't introduce herself was because she was nervous. It's almost impossible not to judge people sometimes, especially in high school. I have to remember to take a step back and imagine myself in their situation. The world would be a much easier and happier place if everyone could give each other a chance.