Mockingbird Motif - Week 8

When I first started working on my honors English summer assignment, I came across a new word; motif. After looking up the word in the dictionary, I got the basic understanding that it was a recurring subject, theme, or idea in a piece of literature. When working on my visual organizer for my second project, I chose motif to be the dominant literary feature. I still wasn't sure of what it was, but I just chose multiple symbols throughout the book and decided that they were the motif. And then we started to read "To Kill A Mockingbird". By first week of reading, I was already noticing the symbols in the book. That's when I finally understood that a motif was a symbol that was being repeatedly used throughout the novel to support other ideas or themes.

The mockingbird motif is used in the novel in many different ways. It is first introduced when Atticus warns Scout when he got a toy gun that it's a sin to kill a mocking, because they are innocent creatures that have done no harm. The motif was more prominently used however in the form of Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. Both men were very decent well-meaning people, and for this reason many people, such as Atticus, beleived they should be left alone. Atticus is always trying to teach his kids to have strong morals, and the mockingbird motif further enhances this theme of respect. However, Atticus's idea of equality clashes harshly with the prejudice present in Maycomb, creating another theme of good versus evil. When you think about all the themes and ideas present in the novel, the mockingbird motif is behind almost all of them.

Symbolism - Tom Robinson - Week 7

I chose a picture of a pitbull as a symbol of the character I'm portraying, Tom Robinson. Pitbulls are often stereotyped as very viscous, violent, unloyal, and heartless animals. Many people won't even go outside when they see a pitbull, and will call the pound, even if the dog has done nothing wrong. However, pitbulls are very friendly, loyal dogs, they even are used as service dogs for the blind and mentally disabled. Sure, some pitbulls can be very violent, but so can many other dogs. The prejudices that many pitbulls face are very similar to the stereotype that Tom Robinson is given, because of his race.

Life Lessons - Week 6

For as long as I can remember, I have always procrastinated. At this very moment, I'm writing this blog the day before it's due, I could've finished it earlier today, or even earlier this week, but as I sit here, watching The Office, I remember one of my dad's sayings, "Get it done". I have no idea when my dad started saying this, but whenever I'm taking an unusually long time on an assignment, or putting it off until the next day, a "Get it done", is sure to be heard.

I've heard this saying so many times, it's gotten a little annoying, but overall it has probably drastically improved my work ethic. I've spent many tired evenings huddling over my work trying to concentrate, but as soon as I remember my dad's saying, I'm filled with a new energy, helping me finally complete my assignment. Unfortunately, I think I'll always have a problem with procrastination, but I'll always be able to look back on my dad's saying, and get it done.