Chapter+Three

Chapter 3:
 * Analyze the events during lunch
 * What is the significance of Atticus accepting Walter? How does he show this?
 * Character description and analysis of Burris Ewell and his family
 * List Atticus’ lessons – be sure you include the biggest lesson of the entire book

Topic 1 Prior to lunch, Scout starts attacking Walter Cunningham in the playground, because she thinks that he got her in trouble. This is because in Miss Caroline's class, Walter wouldn't accept Miss Caroline's quarter for lunch. Scout explained that it was because Walter's a Cunningham and Cunninghams never accept anything that they can't pay back. Jem finds Scout beating up Walter, and invites him to come home with them for lunch. Walter at first declines, and then excitedly accepts the offer. When the kids get home, they start eating lunch with Atticus, with Calpurnia also in the room. Atticus seems to be getting along with Walter quite well, while Scout is rather rude to Walter. She starts teasing him because he's drowning his food with syrup. Atticus gives her a look, and then Calpurnia takes Scout out into the kitchen, gives her a talking-to and a spank, and sends her back to the table. The lesson in this scene is to be courteous to people, despite their background. This proves that your job, title, or family name does not reflect your self-worth. -Emily Stein

Topic 2 Atticus accepting Walter is significant because most people look down upon the Cunninghams. Atticus is different because he treats them as equals. People look down upon the Cunningham family because they have little and are very poor. Atticus treats the Cunninghams just as he would treat anybody else because he knows that they are good people and deserve to be treated fairly. Atticus shows this at the table by talking with Walter as if he were a grown man. Together, Walter and Atticus discuss problems on the farm like adults. By doing so, Atticus is setting a good example for Scout. She does not think of the Cunninghams as her equals, but she quickly learns they are after her scolding from Calpurnia. - Brooke Bartels

Topic 3 Burris Ewell is first introduced to us because of the lice, or "cooties", in his hair. He's filthy and rude form the start, making the teacher cry with his insults. He and the rest of his family have a tradition of only going to school for the first day and then staying home the rest of the year, which is allowed for only them because the police think it would be futile otherwise. Mr. Bob Ewell, Burris's father, is an alcoholic, who spends all of his relief (because he has no job) money on whiskey instead of feeding his children. Because of this, he's allowed to hunt out of season, normally a misdemeanor, but because it's either that or starvation, it's allowed for the Ewells. The Ewells are a poor family, but instead of making the best of it like the Cunningham, they are greedy, ill mannered, and don't like learning or studying. With the Ewell family characters, Harper Lee emphasizes that a bad situation can be made worse depending on how a person reacts or interprets it. - Keisha Lozano

Topic 4 Atticus introduces many lessons that can be applied to life today, and serves as an important role model to both Scout and Jem in how to deal with people. He demonstrated his great respect others around him such as when Scout invited Walter Cunningham for dinner. Although Walter came from a poor and rural background, Atticus treated him with as much respect he would treat any other human being. Afterward, when Scout returned from school the next day and expressed the ordeals she encountered with Burris Ewell and Miss Caroline, she consulted Atticus for guidance. Atticus told her that you need to have a very broad perspective when analyzing people, he said "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." He elaborated on the living conditions of the Ewells, especially the father who presumably subjects his children to abuse and neglect, and explains to Scout that you shouldn,t generalize his children based on the actions of the father. This may become an important theme that will be used throughout the book and express a message to Harper Lee's audience on how to treat people, and to not stereotype based on a particular attribute. - Connor Halligan

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Atticus is a great example of tolerance, having to deal with not so ordinary problems being a lawyer. What he wanted to do is prepare his kids to the fullest extent for the tough road ahead of them. They will eventually have to learn to cope with their surroundings and to try their best to keep a strong tolerance towards their neighbors and this declining economy. He wanted his kids to be free thinkers and try their best to think beyond the obvious, which is what To Kill a Mockingbird, really made you do, have to do think outside the box. Jem and Scout have to consider themselves lucky to be able to read and have their own opinion, unlike the other students who neglect their work and choose to make their future more difficult to strive towards. ====== - Mike Vukas